Blurring Boundaries: AI, Traditional Arab Melodies ( Maqāmāt) and the Future of Qur’ānic Recitation – Rethinking Sacred Sound in the Digital Age

Abstract: This article explores the intersection of Qur’ānic recitation, cultural music traditions, and emerging AI technologies. Focusing on the widespread integration of melodic structures ( maqāmāt ) in Qur’ānic recitation, it unpacks the religious, cultural, and theological implications of incorporating such musical elements into Islamic ritual practice. It examines how Arab musical modes ( maqāmāt ), originally rooted in the secular musical tradition, became the dominant style of Qur’ānic recitation in the Arab world and among immigrant Muslim communities. It contrasts the rejection of other musical styles for such purposes, including in recent years the production of AI-generated heavy metal Qur’ānic songs. Through an analysis of the key terminology of Qur’ānic recitation and their linguistic and religious significance, this study highlights the historical development of Qur’ānic recitation, including the influence of traditional Islamic jurisprudence ( fiqh ). It also explores the use of AI as a disruptive tool in reimagining Qur’ānic recitation, enabling the generation of female voices and novel musical styles, which challenge conventional religious boundaries. These advancements provoke profound questions about the future of sacred texts in a digital era: could AI redefine the sanctity of Qur’ānic recitation? Who holds the authority to validate or reject such innovations? In exploring these themes, this article aims to contribute to our understanding of how technology interacts with deeply entrenched religious traditions, offering a critical perspective on the evolving relationship between the sacred, cultural identity, and technological innovation.