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

What is the ruling on a woman who learns of her divorce or her husband's death after her *ʿiddah* has ended? And does the *ʿiddah* of a woman who abandoned mourning (*iḥdād*) for the whole period of the *ʿiddah*, or part of it, still end, even though she knew that abandoning it is forbidden?**

 

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
The waiting period of a widow who is not pregnant is four months and ten days, based on the saying of Allah Almighty (which means): “And those of you who die and leave wives behind, they shall wait concerning themselves for four months and ten days” [al-Baqarah/234]. If she is pregnant, her ʿiddah ends with the delivery of her child. The ʿiddah is calculated by lunar months and begins from the date of death.
If her ʿiddah ends before she learns of her husband’s death, or of his divorcing her, she does not observe the ʿiddah upon learning of it, because her ʿiddah has already ended.
It is stated in al-Bayān fī Madhhab al-Imām al-Shāfiʿī (Vol.11/p.41), one of the books of the Shāfiʿī school: “If a man divorces his wife, or dies while he is absent from her, her ʿiddah is from the time of the divorce or from the time of death. If she does not know of the divorce or the death until her ʿiddah period has ended, then her ʿiddah has ended. If she learns of it before the end of the ʿiddah period, she completes her ʿiddah counting from the time of the divorce or death.”
As for a woman who abandoned mourning throughout the ʿiddah while knowing that it is forbidden, she is sinful, although her ʿiddah has nonetheless ended. And Allah Almighty knows best.

A group of about thirty young men will go to a farm on Friday. Is it permissible for one of us to deliver the sermon (*khuṭbah*) and lead us in the Friday prayer, or is it necessary to go to the nearest mosque?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
The Friday prayer (Jumuʿah) is not obligatory upon a traveler, whether his journey is long or short, if he leaves his place of residence before the time of Fajr begins, according to the Shāfiʿī school. If, however, he sets out on his journey after the Fajr adhān, then he is obliged to perform the Friday prayer, whether in his own town or in any town where the Friday prayer is held.
It is stated in Bushrā al-Karīm (Vol.1/p.383), one of the books of the Shāfiʿī school: “[The Friday prayer] is not obligatory upon a traveler on a permissible journey, whether long or short, if he departs from his place of residence before dawn.” End quote.
Accordingly, if you set out on your journey after Fajr, you are obliged to perform the Friday prayer in the mosque. The same applies if you set out after that, since you would not have fulfilled the conditions for the validity of the Friday prayer, among them: that it be attended by forty men who are free, adult (bāligh), sane, and settled residents of the place where Friday is held. It must be held within a cluster of connected buildings, whether a city, a village, or a district (liwāʾ), for what counts is the gathering of the buildings. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on the ablution of one who washes his arms from the wrist to the elbows?

In the school of Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him), washing the arms (hands) is achieved by washing the arms completely, from the fingertips to the elbows. Washing only the palms at the beginning is insufficient, as washing them at the beginning is a Sunnah, but after washing the face, it becomes obligatory (fard). The person performing ablution must wash his palms along with the arms after washing the face. If he does not wash his palms, his ablution is invalid and not correct. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on wearing energy stones?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
There is no objection to a woman adorning herself with precious and semi-precious stones — such as ruby, carnelian, or the like — so long as these are stones that women customarily wear as adornment.
As for what are known as "energy stones," if they are used with the intention of seeking remedy and healing, then such matters are governed by experimentation and scientific study — which either establishes that they have a tangible effect or does not — and all of this operates by the permission and will of Allah, Glorified and Exalted. If studies or practical experience do establish that such stones carry a beneficial effect upon human health, then there is no objection to using them. They are, after all, part of Allah's creation, much like medicinal substances extracted from plants or derived from other created things — provided that the Muslim does not believe that the stone itself is the source of benefit or harm. It is nothing more than a means among the many means that Allah has placed in this world, and the reality of all affairs belongs to Allah alone. And Allah the Almighty knows best.