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From Quran memorization apps to AI imams, Muslims worldwide are navigating the benefits and spiritual risks of artificial intelligence in faith.
Tarique Kazi, a Muslim teacher, began using Tarteel AI for Quran recitation after his mother's death in 2022, as the app provides instant feedback on pronunciation mistakes. This highlights a broader trend of AI tools being incorporated into Muslim religious practices globally, including for Quran memorization, sermon writing, and spiritual advice. While these tools offer significant benefits in deepening faith, they also introduce a tension regarding the potential erosion of human connection and community that has historically been central to religious practice.
Tarteel AI was developed by Muslim technologists like Mohamed Moussa in 2019 to overcome linguistic barriers in Quran memorization, especially for the 80% of Muslims whose native language is not Arabic. Its real-time responsiveness aids millions during periods of heightened devotion like Hajj and Dhul Hijjah. Another AI assistant, Ansari, created by Waleed Kadous, answers faith-related questions, serving imams and individuals. However, Kadous expresses concern that users are increasingly seeking emotional guidance from AI rather than human community members or spiritual leaders.
Mainstream AI platforms such as ChatGPT and Claude pose significant concerns for Muslims due to their tendency to reflect Western values and provide inaccurate or culturally insensitive religious advice. An example cited is ChatGPT advising a Muslim woman to consider removing her hijab, which conflicted with her beliefs. Waleed Kadous emphasizes that these chatbots, despite striving for neutrality, are often individually focused and may inadvertently promote an insular approach to faith, detaching users from their community and traditional spiritual guidance.
In response to the limitations and risks of AI, some religious authorities, like Egypt's Islamic advisory body, have issued fatwas (religious edicts) banning AI for Quran interpretation. Conversely, Muslim technologists are actively working to improve AI tools by building platforms like an MCP server atop ChatGPT and Claude to ensure accurate referencing of the Quran and Islamic literature. They have also developed open-source Quranic Universal Libraries to facilitate the creation of culturally appropriate Islamic apps, demonstrating a proactive approach to adapt technology while striving to preserve the human and communal aspects of faith.