The Possibility of Producing Reliable Religious/Islamic Knowledge Through AI Developed Under the Influence of Positivist and Secular Thought

This study critically analyzes the structure of artificial intelligence (AI), shaped within the framework of the secular-materialist paradigm and transhumanist perspectives. It questions the instrumentalization of human beings and all human-related aspects by reducing them to data under the hegemony of secular positivism, sidelining moral and spiritual values, and neglecting the transcendental (metaphysical) dimension in the processes of producing religious knowledge. The study explores how AI can be reinterpreted in line with Islam’s ontological, moral, and human-centered values and discusses how unique models can be developed accordingly. The research examines the effects of AI on the production of religious knowledge by considering its background operating with secular positivist and transhumanist perspectives and it addresses the opportunities/challenges related to this with new perspectives and suggestions. In this context, the neglect of the metaphysical dimension by AI in producing religious knowledge, its construction upon a secular perspective, and its shortcomings in contextual analyses are discussed. Furthermore, the cultural hegemony reflected in the use of AI as a tool within the colonial power matrix is critically evaluated through the lens of the literature, addressing the possibility of producing religious knowledge from multiple dimensions. The study emphasizes the necessity for Muslim societies to develop indigenous knowledge systems harmonized with their unique cultural frameworks and provides recommendations on the foundational elements for such an endeavor. This analysis aims to explore ways AI can contribute to the prosperity of humanity and the establishment of justice. Methodologically, the study adopts qualitative research techniques, analyzing the epistemological and ontological foundations of AI within the secular positivist paradigm through a literature review. The potential of AI in producing religious knowledge is examined comparatively, considering traditional reasoning methods in Islamic thought, such as qıyās, istihsān, and istiqrā’, alongside modern algorithmic approaches. Additionally, the potential opportunities AI may offer and the risks it may pose in the production of religious knowledge are evaluated based on evidence from the literature. The findings indicate that AI is historically and philosophically rooted in secular paradigms and is designed, within transhumanist approaches, as a technology that compels humanity to transcend biological and cognitive limitations. It is utilized as a tool of cultural hegemony and operates under these motivations in the processes of producing religious knowledge. The hegemonic impacts of AI in knowledge production are discussed within the context of Aníbal Quijano and Walter Mignolo’s “colonial power matrix” framework, analyzing its role as an instrument of colonial spatiality. Furthermore, modern technologies are evaluated through examples in the literature as factors that can lead to the decentralization, decontextualization, and loss of the authentic character of religious knowledge. Other findings reveal that AI has inherent limitations in the production of religious knowledge, as it tends to prioritize secular and materialist perspectives despite the presence of metaphysical principles in scientific knowledge. In contrast, integrating classical methods with modern technology -through the synthesis of traditional Islamic knowledge production methodologies and AI reasoning techniques- offers a new perspective for producing religious knowledge. Additionally, the necessity to redesign AI in accordance with Islam’s moral and human-centered values is emphasized to preserve and transmit the unique character of religious knowledge. The study concludes that Muslim societies must establish indigenous technological infrastructures to structure AI on the principles of accessibility, justice, and inclusivity.