RECONSTRUCTING ISLAMIC EPISTEMOLOGY FOR THE AGE OF GENERATIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: INTEGRATING MAQAṢID AL-SHARI'AH, HUMAN INTELLIGENCE, AND ETHICAL KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION

Abstract

The rapid advancement of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed knowledge production and raised significant epistemological challenges for Islamic studies. Existing research predominantly emphasizes the practical application of AI while paying limited attention to reconstructing Islamic epistemology capable of responding to AI-mediated knowledge generation. This study aims to develop an integrative epistemological framework by combining maqaṣid al-shari'ah, human intelligence, and ethical knowledge production. Employing a qualitative library research design, the study critically analyzes the epistemological perspectives of Al-Farabi, Al-Ghazali, Ibn Khaldun, Al-Shatibi, Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas, Ismail Raji al-Faruqi, and Osman Bakar alongside contemporary theories of Responsible AI and Human-Centered AI. The findings indicate that Artificial Intelligence should function as an epistemic instrument rather than an autonomous authority, while human intelligence remains responsible for critical reasoning, ethical judgment, and knowledge validation. The study proposes the Islamic AI Epistemology Framework (IAIEF), integrating revelation, human intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, and maqaṣid al-shari'ah to promote ethical, trustworthy, and human-centered knowledge production. The framework contributes a novel paradigm for contemporary Islamic studies in the age of Generative Artificial Intelligence