Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura

Friday Sermon

6 November 2026 / 26 Jamadilawal 1448H

Islam, Intellect and AI

Zumratal mukminin rahimakumullah,

Let us observe taqwa towards Allah s.w.t. by obeying all His commands and staying away from all His prohibitions. May our taqwa be a source of joy in this world and the hereafter. Amin, ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
 

Dear blessed congregation,

The Quran repeatedly calls upon humanity to exercise reason, to contemplate, and to think. Throughout its verses, Allah s.w.t. asks: Afalaa ya’qiluun: “Do they not exercise reason?” Afalaa yatadabbaruunal Quraan: “Do they not contemplate the Quran?” Afalaa tatafakkaruun: “Do you not think?”

 

Dear congregation,

Allah s.w.t. invites us to pay attention to our intellectual capacity and our power of reasoning. Why? Because it helps us distinguish truth from falsehood, and right from wrong. Our intellect influences our daily decisions, which in turn shape our character, our conduct and our religious life.

Allah s.w.t. says in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 22:

Which means: “Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allah are the deaf and dumb who do not use reason.”

This is amongst the strongest statements in the Quran on the importance of intellect. The condemnation of those who deliberately refuse to use their intellect to arrive at understanding and truth is severe indeed. The rebuke of those who refuse to use the mind Allah has given them is formidable.

 

Blessed Friday congregation,

Truly, the verse that was just recited is becoming ever more relevant today. With the rapid advance of artificial intelligence (AI), many tasks that once required our own thinking are now completed almost instantly, and AI has become a big part of our daily routines.

It is true that Islam does not forbid beneficial technology. However, over-reliance on AI is a cause for concern, because our minds can be affected little by little. When we constantly hand simple tasks over to AI without trying them ourselves, we fail to train our ability to think.

Therefore, AI must remain a tool that supports, not replaces, the human intellect. And today’s khutbah suggests three approaches to this end:

Firstly: Think for yourself before consulting AI

Let us first attempt to formulate our own ideas and solve problems on our own. Afterwards, AI can be used to challenge, refine and improve our work.

Secondly: Verify accuracy without handing over our judgment entirely to AI

AI can deliver false information that looks as though it were true, whereas Rasulullah s.a.w. warned that passing on everything one receives without checking can lead to lying. We remain responsible for our decisions. Moral and religious judgment must not be handed over to AI. In matters of religion, let us refer to qualified asatizah, not to AI alone.

Thirdly: Sharpen the mind through conventional means

Brothers, we should preserve our natural intelligence through practices such as reading, attending gatherings of knowledge, and discussing in person. Before using AI, let us ask ourselves: is this a fitting or necessary use, or does it merely keep us from thinking? Remember, our time and our minds are a trust (amanah) from Allah s.w.t.

 

Dear brothers,

With this awareness, let us preserve the strength of our intellect by using AI responsibly and moderately, in a way that Allah s.w.t. is pleased with. Remember that every blessing and advancement is a trust, and every trust will be questioned in the hereafter. May Allah s.w.t. grant us guidance to navigate life with faith and wisdom. Amin ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.

 

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