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Journals / BALAGH - Journal of Islamic and Humanities Studies / 2026 / Cilt: 6 Sayı: 1

The Rūḥ and Algorithm: An Islamic Critique of Artificial Intelligence

RUH VE ALGORITMA: YAPAY ZEKÂYA İSLAMI BIR ELEŞTIRI

Muhammad Imran Saleem Channar(The Isalmiya University, Bahawalpur)0009-0006-2864-6809
Pages
107–121
Publication Date
2026-06-15
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Genuine benefit ultimately depends upon spiritual and moral reformation.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Research Problem: The development of artificial intelligence (AI) functions as an unprecedented mirror, reflecting remarkable capacities yet fundamental limitations of human nature across philosophical, ethical, metaphysical, and spiritual dimensions.
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Key Findings & Data:Method: Adopting a critical correlation methodology, the study conducts a systematic textual analysis of primary Qur’ānic and classical Islamic philosophical sources—principally al-Ghazālī’s Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn, Ibn Sīnā’s al-Shifāʾ, and al-Māturīdī’s Kitāb al-Tawḥīd—in dialogue with contemporary AI research, including recent debates on machine consciousness (Butlin et al. 2023; Chalmers 2023) and AI ethics (Russell 2019; Floridi 2023).
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Conclusion & Impact:Genuine benefit ultimately depends upon spiritual and moral reformation.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:2023 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Yapay Zekâ · İslam Metafiziği · Bilinç

Abstract

Research Problem: The development of artificial intelligence (AI) functions as an unprecedented mirror, reflecting remarkable capacities yet fundamental limitations of human nature across philosophical, ethical, metaphysical, and spiritual dimensions. Method: Adopting a critical correlation methodology, the study conducts a systematic textual analysis of primary Qur’ānic and classical Islamic philosophical sources—principally al-Ghazālī’s Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn, Ibn Sīnā’s al-Shifāʾ, and al-Māturīdī’s Kitāb al-Tawḥīd—in dialogue with contemporary AI research, including recent debates on machine consciousness (Butlin et al. 2023; Chalmers 2023) and AI ethics (Russell 2019; Floridi 2023). It argues that the ultimate “alignment problem” lies not in aligning machine behavior with human values, but in aligning human technological development with wisdom, humility, and a proper understanding of humanity’s ultimate purpose. From the Islamic perspective, consciousness (rūḥ) transcends computational simulation, as it is rooted in divine endowment rather than material complexity. Results: The human being possesses genuine capacities for insight and progress, yet remains persistently inclined toward reductionism, moral displacement, and spiritual confusion. Conclusion: AI does not emerge as a replacement for humanity but as its most profound teacher. Genuine benefit ultimately depends upon spiritual and moral reformation.

Özet

Bu makale, yapay zekâ (YZ) gelişiminin, insan doğasının felsefi, etik, metafizik ve manevi boyutlardaki dikkate değer kapasitelerini ve temel sınırlılıklarını yansıtan benzeri görülmemiş bir ayna işlevi gördüğünü ileri sürmektedir. Çalışma, İslam metafiziği, klasik felsefe ve çağdaş YZ araştırmalarından yararlanarak, nihai "uyum sorunu"nun makine davranışını insani değerlerle değil, insanın teknolojik gelişimini hikmet, tevazu ve ilahi maksadın uygun şekilde tanınmasıyla uyumlu hale getirmekte yattığını ortaya koymaktadır. İslami perspektife göre bilinç (rūḥ), maddi karmaşıklıktan ziyade ilahi bir bahşedilişe dayandığı için, hesaplamalı simülasyonu aşmaktadır. Sunulan sentez, tutarlı bir örüntüyü göstermektedir: İnsanın idrak ve yaratılış kapasitesi, aynı zamanda indirgemecilik, ahlaki sorumluluğu başkasına atma ve manevi karmaşa eğilimleriyle yan yanadır. YZ, insanlığın yerini alan bir varlık değil, onun en derin öğretmeni olarak, benzeri görülmemiş teknolojik gücün gerçekten faydalı sonuçlara yönlendirilmesi için manevi ve ahlaki reformasyonun gerekliliğini ortaya koymaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Channar, M. I. S. (2026). The Rūḥ and Algorithm: An Islamic Critique of Artificial Intelligence. BALAGH - Journal of Islamic and Humanities Studies, Cilt: 6 Sayı: 1, 107–121. https://doi.org/10.65662/balagh.1870689

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