Articles

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Islamic Banking Operations
Author : Dr. Safwan Odaybat
Date Added : 03-01-2024

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Islamic Banking Operations

 

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

 

One of the emerging topics for which seminars and conferences are held, and attracts researchers to study and explore its potential developments across various fields and disciplines is the subject of Artificial Intelligence. This topic elicits concerns about its potentially destructive impacts on one hand, while on the other hand, it raises hopes and expectations for significant positive effects on improving the quality of life and serving humanity.

 

Before delving into explaining the impact of Artificial Intelligence on Islamic banking, it is essential to clarify the meaning of Artificial Intelligence and Islamic banking:

 

Artificial Intelligence can be defined as a set of technologies and software aimed at enabling computer systems to perform tasks that are typically considered important for human intelligence and facilitate operations associated with specific tasks.

 

Artificial Intelligence relies on data and algorithms to achieve specific objectives. Its applications encompass a diverse range of fields such as machine learning, natural language processing, robotics manufacturing, medical diagnosis, risk management, and more.

 

Islamic banking can be defined as a financial system based on the principles of Islamic law (Sharia). This system requires abstaining from practices such as usury (interest), uncertainty or speculation (Gharar), and injustice. It encourages financing and investment in ways that are in tune with Islamic values and principles.

 

The role of artificial intelligence in advancing the operations and services of Islamic banking is highlighted through the following:

 

1-Enhancing Efficiency and Risk Management:

Artificial intelligence can contribute to the development of Islamic banking by improving its operational efficiency through enhancing analysis processes and risk management. One possible means to achieve this is by utilizing machine learning to enhance credit assessment, identifying potential loans with greater accuracy and efficiency. Additionally, artificial intelligence will contribute to boosting employee efficiency by selecting suitable development, training, and educational methods tailored to their needs.

 

2-Development of Innovative Financial Products:

Artificial intelligence enables Islamic banking to develop innovative financial products that align with the principles of Islamic Sharia. For example, smart investment solutions can be developed based on financial analytics and Sharia-compliant guidelines.

3-Enhancement of Customer Experience:

Artificial intelligence can improve customer experiences in Islamic banking by providing personalized financial services tailored to the specific needs of customers. It can offer accurate investment guidance that aligns with customers' goals without conflicting with Islamic values.

4-Combatting Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing:

Artificial intelligence can contribute to enhancing financial integrity through intelligent operations that develop and improve the quality of monitoring financial transactions. Consequently, it can uncover all illicit and internationally prohibited activities, including money laundering and terrorism financing.

 

5-Facilitating Compliance with Islamic Sharia:

Artificial intelligence contributes to the development of Islamic banking by achieving better compliance with the rules of Sharia. This can be accomplished by providing guidance to financial professionals or by enhancing financial audit and monitoring processes.

 

In conclusion, the topic of the impact of artificial intelligence on Islamic banking in general requires precise scientific studies and research to highlight both the positive aspects and potential challenges. While artificial intelligence may contribute to enhancing the efficiency of financial services and their compliance with Sharia, ethical considerations and Islamic values must be taken into account in the application of this modern technological advancement.

 

Article References:

1-Book: "Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on the Economy and Islamic Banking" by Dr. Rafiq Ali Suleiman.

2-Book: "Islamic Banking and Artificial Intelligence Technology: Challenges and Opportunities" by Dr. Mohammed Al Nuaimi.

3-Research Paper: "Artificial Intelligence Technology and Its Impact on Islamic Financial Services" by Researcher Ahmed Abdullah Al Salman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible for someone with a physically demanding job, such as a baker or construction worker, to break their fast?

It is not permissible for someone with a physically demanding job to start the day intending to break their fast. They must make the intention to fast at night and begin fasting. However, if they reach a point where fasting becomes unbearably difficult, they may break their fast and make up for it later.

Does sacrificing one sheep avail for the entire household?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial offering) is a communal Sunnah (Sunnah Kifayah) for members of the same household, provided that their financial maintenance is undertaken by a single provider. By "communal Sunnah," we mean that when one person performs it, the religious recommendation is fulfilled on behalf of the entire household, though the spiritual reward itself belongs uniquely to the one who offered it.
 
Therefore, if any member of the household performs the sacrifice—even if it is someone who is not legally responsible for the household's expenses, such as the wife or one of the children—the recommendation is fulfilled for everyone in that home. However, the reward does not automatically extend to the other members unless the person offering the sacrifice explicitly intends to share the reward with them—similar to how performing a funeral prayer (Janazah) fulfills the communal obligation for everyone, yet the specific reward is earned by those who actually prayed.
 
Additionally, a single sacrifice is sufficient for a man who is married to more than one wife. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

I bought an apartment, and I am saving money to pay the remaining balance of its price — is zakāh obligatory on this money?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Zakāh is obligatory on all saved/hoarded wealth. Once the total wealth reaches the niṣāb (minimum threshold liable for zakah— equivalent to the value of 85 grams of pure 24-karat gold) and a full ḥawl (lunar year) has elapsed over it, zakāh becomes obligatory at a rate of (2.5%) — even if the wealth is earmarked for basic future needs, and even if the wealth's owner is in debt. Debt does not prevent the obligation of zakāh, nor is it deducted when calculating the zakāh due, based on the general and unrestricted wording of all the Qur'anic verses commanding zakāh, which draw no distinction between someone in debt and anyone else.
It is stated in ‘Umdat as-Sālik, from the books of the Shāfi‘ī school: "If someone possesses exactly the niṣāb, and owes an equivalent amount in debt, zakāh remains obligatory on what is in his possession, and the debt does not prevent this obligation" — meaning, the obligation of zakāh on what is presently in his possession.
The ḥawl (annual cycle) recognized for zakāh, as well as for the other sharī‘ah obligations that Allah, the Exalted, has imposed upon Muslims, is the Hijrī (lunar) year. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on selling gold or silver in installments or for a differed price?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is prohibited (haram) to sell gold or silver in installments or for a deferred price; rather, immediate hand-to-hand exchange (Taqabud) is mandatory, otherwise, it is considered usury (Riba). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 'Gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, dates for dates, and salt for salt—like for like, hand to hand. Whoever increases or asks for an increase has engaged in Riba; the receiver and the giver are the same in this regard.' (Narrated by Muslim). Furthermore, when exchanging new gold for used gold, they must be of equal weight, or it falls into Riba.
 
The permissible solution (al-makhraj) is for the merchant to purchase the used gold for cash first, and then sell the new gold for cash in a separate transaction. However, the price must be paid during the sitting of the contract (Majlis al-Aqd) for both deals. Alternatively, the jeweler may take the used gold with the intent of remodeling or repairing it, and then charge a fee for the craftsmanship or repair work. And Allah the Exalted knows best."