دی اسکالر (Jun 2024)
ENGLISH:FROM MANUSCRIPTS TO MONITORS: THE DIGITAL EVOLUTION OF ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE AND THE ROLE OF COMPUTERIZING IN SAFEGUARDING TRADITION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the digitalization of Islamic knowledge with respect to advantages and limitations with particular reference to the computerization of religious texts and education. Moving from manuscripts to the e-formats has reinvented the way Muslims and Muslim scholars use, preserve and practice, sacred texts including the Qur’an, the Hadith and Fiqh / Islamic law, governance. However, while this was an encouraging trend that made Islamic scholarship more approachable and protect the youth, it also poses some ethical issues. The introduction of Islamic education for a fee such as Islamic Studies and the use of subscription-based platforms has brought the question of whether religious information is still sacred or if it can be put willing in a monetary exchange system. This paper concentrates on the issues of censorship highlighting the desire of the audience to develop such content while there are concerns of its moderation. Moreover, the emergence of new digital channels brings up important concerns regarding safety and confidentiality. The paper explores the danger of breaching privacy and the abuse of personal data pointing to the necessity and effectiveness of a policy against such issues. The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) towards improving efficiency of translations or automated validation of Hadiths is also discussed. There is no doubt that all these innovations can contribute immensely to the development of knowledge and research in the area of Islam. However, there is a need to use them in just or right manner to avoid trustworthiness, correctness and purity of Islam. At the end of the day, being exposed to globalization influences should not incite alteration in the fundamentals and values of Islamic principles and practices. The longstanding concerns with regard to ethical issues and the use of technology do not mean that the digitization of Islamic knowledge cannot protect the vast intellectual and spiritual heritage of Islam for the coming generations, making it genuine and relevant in a fast developing digital society.
