AI and Authenticity in Islamic Research: A Critical Evaluation of Generative AI Reliability, Hallucination, and Source Fidelity in Quranic, Hadith, and Fiqh Knowledge

Source

• Source name: arXiv
• Source kind: paper
• Authors / organization: Muhammad Sajjad Akbar
• Venue: arXiv: cs.AI
• Published: 2026-07-30
• Collected: 2026-07-31
• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2607.28237v1
• PDF: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2607.28237v1
• DOI: UNKNOWN

Plain-Language Brief

This research evaluates six popular AI systems' ability to provide reliable, authentic Islamic knowledge. The study found that while these AI systems can be useful for introductory learning, they should not be treated as authoritative sources without verification against primary sources and expert scholars.

What the Document Says

• Generative AI is used by Muslims for religious guidance, Qur'anic interpretation, Hadith explanation, jurisprudential rulings, and Islamic education.
• There is limited empirical evidence on whether current AI systems provide authentic and trustworthy Islamic knowledge suitable for high-trust religious contexts.
• The study evaluated six leading generative AI systems using fifty realistic open-ended Islamic questions.
• Responses were collected under real-world conditions from participants in Australia and the United Kingdom.
• The study analyzed responses using a mixed-method framework.
• The study addressed four research questions about accuracy, authenticity, hallucinations, jurisprudential consistency, uncertainty handling, source provenance, and geographical variation.
• Current generative AI systems are valuable as assistive tools for introductory Islamic learning but should not be treated as authoritative sources for religious rulings or Islamic research without verification against authenticated primary sources and qualified scholarly expertise.

Key Concepts Mentioned

• Generative AI
• Islamic knowledge
• Qur'anic interpretation
• Hadith
• Fiqh
• authenticity
• reliability

Claims Made by the Document

• Current AI systems provide valuable assistance for introductory Islamic learning.
• Current AI systems should not be treated as authoritative sources for religious rulings or Islamic research without verification.

Evidence Used

• Participants in Australia and the United Kingdom collected responses under real-world conditions

Methods / Approach

UNKNOWN

Limitations Stated by the Authors

UNKNOWN

Limitations Noted by the Agent

Agent interpretation — not from the source.

UNKNOWN

Open Questions

UNKNOWN

Notes for Future Q&A

May include interpretation. Labeled where it does.

UNKNOWN

Raw Abstract / Excerpt

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly used by Muslims for religious guidance, Qur'anic interpretation, Hadith explanation, jurisprudential rulings, and Islamic education. Despite its growing adoption, there is limited empirical evidence on whether current AI systems provide authentic, verifiable, and trustworthy Islamic knowledge suitable for high-trust religious contexts. This study evaluates six leading generative AI systems using fifty realistic open-ended Islamic questions covering Qur'anic interpretation, Hadith, Fiqh, ethics, pastoral advice, and Madhhab-sensitive topics. Responses were collected under real-world conditions from participants in Australia and the United Kingdom and analysed using a mixed-method framework examining domain accuracy, citation verification, hallucinations, jurisprudential consistency, uncertainty handling, source provenance, and geographical variation. The study addresses four research questions: (1) How accurate and authentic are AI-generated responses across major Islamic knowledge domains? (2) To what extent do AI systems produce hallucinations, incomplete citations, or unverifiable religious references? (3) How consistently do models handle jurisprudential disagreement, Madhhab diversity, and uncertainty? (4) Are current AI systems sufficiently reliable for religious guidance, Islamic education, and scholarly research? Overall, current generative AI systems are valuable as assistive tools for introductory Islamic learning but should not be treated as authoritative sources for religious rulings or Islamic research without verification against authenticated primary sources and qualified scholarly expertise. This study provides one of the first comprehensive empirical evaluations of AI reliability within Islamic knowledge, offering practical guidance for researchers, educators, AI developers, and the wider Muslim community.