Artificial intelligence can transform Islamic education if used with proper ethical guidelines, a leading scholar said on Sunday. Dr Muhammad Salah made the remarks at Crystal Muslim Organisation's 20th anniversary celebration in Abuja.
Salah warned Muslims against using unverified AI applications that might distort Islamic teachings. He stressed that any technology must be grounded in authentic Islamic knowledge.
The event's theme explored AI through an Islamic lens. Participants discussed both opportunities and ethical challenges across education, governance and human responsibility.
According to Salah, a volunteer-driven digital Da'wah platform launched during the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically expanded Islamic outreach. The initiative now reaches 86 countries globally.
About 266 new Muslims accept Islam weekly through the platform. Over 41,000 people have converted in the past five years.
"We don't just give shahada. We teach them from scratch—aqidah, taharah and prayers," Salah told participants.
His team provides structured Islamic education in Arabic, English, Spanish and Portuguese.
AI can automate follow-up processes and make Islamic learning more accessible worldwide. Salah believes the technology will strengthen their educational model significantly.
But he cautioned users about selecting trustworthy applications carefully. "Just as there are halal apps for food and drink, there should also be halal apps for what to watch and use," he noted.
Salah recommended an AI-powered Qur'an application that improves memorisation and recitation accuracy. It's particularly valuable in regions lacking access to proper Islamic schools.
Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu sent Commissioner for Religious Affairs Jabir Maihula to the ceremony. Maihula commended CMO's educational contributions to Islam in Nigeria.
The governor announced a N3 million donation to support the organisation's programmes. He described the funds as investment in Islamic learning across the state.
