The islamic view on AI content creation

Basic Principle

A well-established principle of Islamic law is:

The original ruling regarding worldly things and means is permissibility, unless there is clear evidence proving their prohibition.

This principle is based on the statement of Allah:

«"هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُم مَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا"

(Surah Al-Baqarah: 29)»

Translation: “He is the One Who created for you everything that is on the earth.”

The scholars have derived from this and other verses of similar meaning that worldly tools and technologies are, in themselves, permissible unless there is a specific Shar'i evidence declaring them unlawful.

Means Take the Ruling of Their Objectives

A well-known legal maxim states:

"للوسائل أحكام المقاصد"

Translation: “The means take the ruling of their objectives.”

Therefore, AI, computers, video-editing software, YouTube, and similar technologies are merely tools (means). Their ruling depends upon the purpose for which they are used.

If they are used to:

- Spread the message of Islam,

- Teach the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah,

- Convey beneficial and permissible knowledge,

then their use is also permissible.

However, if the same tools are used for:

- Sin,

- Immorality,

- Falsehood,

- Deception,

- Or any prohibited purpose,

then their use becomes impermissible.

Allah says:

«"وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ"

(Surah Al-Ma'idah: 2)»

Translation: “Help one another in righteousness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and transgression.”

Using Your Own Real Voice

If a person records videos using their own natural voice, does not imitate or clone another person's voice through AI, and does not deceive people, then there is nothing inherently impermissible in doing so.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

«"مَنْ غَشَّنَا فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا"

(Sahih Muslim)»

Translation: “Whoever deceives us is not one of us.”

Therefore, using AI to imitate another person's voice while making people believe it is genuinely theirs would fall under deception and would not be permissible.

AI-Generated Images

There is some difference of opinion among contemporary scholars regarding AI-generated and digital images.

However, there is agreement that it is not permissible to create or publish images that contain:

- Immodesty or obscenity,

- Promotion of shirk or disbelief,

- Mockery of Islam,

- Or anything that calls people towards sin.

Allah says:

«"وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ"

(Surah Al-Isra: 36)»

Translation: “Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge.”

Simple Video Editing

Basic editing such as:

- Zoom,

- Fade,

- Transitions,

- Volume adjustment,

- Cutting unnecessary portions,

are merely technical processes.

There is no evidence in the Qur'an or authentic Sunnah that prohibits these actions in themselves. Therefore, they remain permissible in principle, provided they are not used to produce or promote anything prohibited.