MUI Warns AI Algorithms Not to Sever the Chain of Islamic Knowledge Transmission
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) warns of the threats in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) to the system of sanad (chain of transmission) in Islamic scholarship. MUI’s Head of Information, Communication, and Digital Affairs, Masduki Baidlowi, stated that the teacher–student relationship as the foundation of knowledge transmission must not be replaced by instant answers from machines. This warning was delivered at the Workshop on "Amplifying Digital Islamic Literacy in the AI Era" held jointly with BAZNAS in Jakarta, Wednesday (29/7/2026).
Masduki highlighted the phenomenon of the "algorithm war" that shifts the authority of scholars, where young people now seek religious expression through AI. He stressed the risk of breaking sanad, the etiquette of learning from teachers, and the understanding of wasathiyah (moderate) Islam if religious institutions fail to adapt. AI, evolving into autonomous agents, demands a major transformation so that da’wah is not dominated by digital platforms.
MUI considers the greatest danger to arise from echo chambers, where algorithms only provide answers according to users’ preferences, thus threatening the traditions of verification and guidance from scholars. While critical, MUI does not reject AI but encourages its use as a tool for da’wah that is still verified by scholars. AI must be mastered to spread peaceful and moderate Islam.
Head of MUI’s Information, Communication, and Digital Commission, Hari Usmayadi, emphasized the importance of reclaiming digital spaces from negative content such as illegal online loans and LGBTQ propaganda. Meanwhile, BAZNAS Leader Idy Muzayyad stated that collaboration with MUI aims to strengthen zakat literacy through three agendas: improving literacy, publicizing programs, and reinforcing zakat issues in the public sphere.
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