Egypt’s Fatwa Authority (Dar al-Ifta) has issued a ruling declaring the use of artificial intelligence applications, including ChatGPT, for interpreting the Holy Quran as impermissible, warning that reliance on such tools could lead to misinterpretation and the spread of misleading information.

The ruling was issued in response to a query seeking guidance on whether AI tools may be used to interpret Quranic verses.

Dar al-Ifta stated that relying independently or entirely on AI-generated interpretations is forbidden in Islam, as it risks subjecting the Quran to conjecture, inaccuracies and misrepresentation.

The Fatwa Authority stressed that proper understanding of the Quran must be rooted in recognised books of tafsir and guidance from trusted scholars and established religious institutions.

It said abandoning authentic sources could result in confusion, doctrinal errors and the circulation of unreliable explanations.

According to the ruling, AI technologies function through automated data processing and statistical models and lack true comprehension of the Quranic text. As a result, their outputs may contain factual errors, unverified material or content inconsistent with Islamic teachings.

Dar al-Ifta highlighted key risks associated with AI-based interpretation, including uncertain sources, inability to verify accuracy, and the absence of a sound scholarly methodology. Such shortcomings, it warned, could lead to incorrect meanings being falsely attributed to the Quran.

The authority reiterated that Muslims seeking to understand the Quran should consult authentic tafsir works, qualified exegetes and credible religious institutions to ensure accurate and reliable interpretation.