Operationalizing Ushuliyah Principles for Ethical AI and Digital Legal Decision-Making in Contemporary Islamic Law

Background: The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital platforms poses challenges for Islamic law in finance, fatwa formulation, and dispute resolution. Ushuliyah principles—al-Am, al-Khas, al-Amru, and an-Nahyu—offer a classical framework to guide Sharia-compliant AI implementation.

Methods: A systematic library review was conducted on 17 sources (peer-reviewed journals, classical fiqh texts, MUI and IIFA fatwas, 2022–2025), selected for relevance to AI, digital law, and Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah compliance.

Results: Al-Am and al-Khas provide general and context-specific rules for AI, ensuring Sharia-compliant outputs. Al-Amru and an-Nahyu guide commands and prohibitions. Illustrative applications include AI-assisted halal investment screening, predictive zakat distribution, and preliminary fatwa generation. Human oversight is essential to address ethical dilemmas and algorithmic bias.

Discussion: Applying Ushuliyah principles in AI governance demonstrates the operational relevance of classical jurisprudence. A hybrid model—AI efficiency plus scholarly discretion—supports ethical, Sharia-compliant digital decision-making.

Conclusion: Ushuliyah methodology offers a practical framework for ethical AI in Islamic digital law, balancing automation with human oversight and Maqāṣid-aligned outcomes.

Novelty: This study bridges classical jurisprudence and AI, providing actionable guidance for scholars, developers, and policymakers in contemporary Islamic legal contexts