Reconstructing Islamic Family Law in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Balancing Technology, Ethics, and Family Values

Abstract

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly transformed various aspects of human life, including family relations, legal services, and decision-making processes. This study aims to reconstruct Islamic Family Law in response to the opportunities and challenges posed by AI while maintaining a balance between technological advancement, ethical principles, and family values. This study employs a normative legal research approach by integrating conceptual, statutory, and comparative approaches. The research relies on library-based secondary legal materials, including classical and contemporary Islamic legal literature, legislation, policy documents, and scholarly publications related to AI governance and family law. The findings indicate that AI can contribute to enhancing access to legal information, family counseling services, dispute resolution mechanisms, and administrative efficiency within family law institutions. However, the integration of AI also raises concerns regarding privacy, algorithmic bias, accountability, and the preservation of moral and religious values. Therefore, the reconstruction of Islamic Family Law requires a normative framework grounded in the objectives of Islamic law (maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah), emphasizing the protection of religion, family, human dignity, and social justice. This study proposes a balanced model that integrates technological innovation with ethical responsibility and Islamic family values, ensuring that AI serves as a tool for strengthening rather than undermining family welfare. The study contributes to the ongoing discourse on adapting Islamic legal thought to contemporary technological developments in the digital age.