Dar al-Ifta al-Misriya, Egypt’s official Islamic advisory body and judicial authority based in Cairo, has issued a fatwa banning the use of artificial intelligence applications, including ChatGPT, in interpreting the Holy Quran.
The ruling, published last month on the agency’s website, said relying independently or completely on AI-generated interpretations is not permissible in Islam because it risks exposing the Quran to speculation, inaccuracies and misrepresentations.
Founded in 1895, Dar al-Rifta serves as Egypt’s highest institution for researching Islamic law and issuing fatwas. In a statement, the group stressed that Muslims seeking to understand the Quran should refer to authoritative tafsir works, qualified scholars, and trusted religious institutions rather than AI systems.
According to the ruling, AI models lack a true understanding of the Quranic text and can produce output that contains factual errors, unverified material, or interpretations that contradict established Islamic teachings. Dar Al Ifta warned that such systems rely on automated processing of information drawn from multiple sources, languages and methodologies, some of which may be contradictory, distorted or produced by unqualified organizations.
The fatwa cites significant legal and methodological shortcomings in AI-based interpretations, including a lack of academic oversight, an inability to verify accuracy, and a lack of a scientifically established interpretive framework consistent with Islamic jurisprudence.
Dar al-Ifta stressed that a proper interpretation of the Qur’an must be based on recognized scholarly traditions and adhere to established rules used by biblical scholars and jurists. Abandoning these standards can lead to confusion, doctrinal errors and unreliable religious instruction, the group said.
Given Dar al-Rifta’s standing in the Islamic world, the ruling is expected to have an impact beyond Egypt. This addresses broader concerns about maintaining religious authority and preventing unqualified instruments from issuing misleading guidance on matters of faith.
Despite the ban on AI interpretation of the Quran, Islamic institutions such as Dar al-Ifta continue to employ digital technology to expand access to religious services. In 2022, Dar Al-Ifta launched FatwaPro, a mobile application designed to respond to religious inquiries from Muslims around the world, especially those living in Western countries. The platform handled more than 6,700 inquiries and in 2024 alone nearly 3,500 fatwas were issued, primarily in English and French.
Elsewhere in the region, Saudi Arabia is also incorporating technology into its religious services. During Ramadan last year, authorities introduced Manara robots to Mecca’s Grand Mosque. Powered by AI, the device answers religious questions in multiple languages and connects users with senior clergy via live video for complex inquiries.
The development highlights the growing tension between expanding access to technology and protecting religious authenticity, as well as the continuing debate about the role of artificial intelligence in interpreting sacred texts.
