ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, BIOETHICS, AND ISLAMIC LAW: A CROSS-DISCIPLINARY STUDY FOR THE MODERN AGE

Abstract

In the contemporary era, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force, influencing various domains such as healthcare, biotechnology, data management, autonomous systems, and human cognition. These developments, while offering numerous benefits, also present critical ethical dilemmas and legal uncertainties. This article offers a comprehensive cross-disciplinary analysis of AI through the integrated lens of bioethics and Islamic law. It critically examines how core bioethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice intersect with Islamic moral philosophy and legal rulings. The paper delves into the role of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah (objectives of Islamic law) in assessing the permissibility and ethical boundaries of AI applications, particularly in sensitive areas like genetic editing, AI-driven medical diagnostics, end-of-life decisions, surveillance technologies, and machine learning algorithms that impact human agency and privacy.Furthermore, the study engages with classical jurisprudential tools such as qiyās (analogical reasoning), istiḥsān (juristic preference), and maslaḥah (public interest) to frame a principled Islamic response to emerging AI challenges. By drawing parallels between global bioethical standards and Islamic legal methodology, this research seeks to construct an ethically coherent and culturally sensitive framework for the governance and responsible use of AI. It concludes with practical recommendations for scholars, policymakers, and technology developers in Muslim-majority societies to collaborate in ensuring that AI innovations align with both ethical integrity and Islamic legal norms, safeguarding human dignity and promoting social justice in the digital age.