Rafomac News, Tech & Trends That MatterWhy doesn’t the Quran say anything about artificial intelligence or computers? It’s a question that puzzles some, especially given AI’s growing impact. But the answer lies in understanding what the Quran actually is—and what it isn’t.
What Kind of Book Is the Quran?
When asked why the Quran doesn’t explain artificial intelligence or digital technology, Dr Zakir Naik offers a straightforward answer: The Quran is not a science textbook. If it were, it would have to be as expansive as a vast library to cover every detail of scientific knowledge. Instead, the Quran serves as a book of signs—a spiritual guide pointing toward truths that transcend transient tech trends.
This distinction matters because expecting the Quran to detail modern inventions like AI misunderstands its purpose. It isn’t about equations or formulas—like confirming 2 plus 2 equals 4—but about universal signs and principles that hold eternal relevance.
Advanced Knowledge Without Technical Details
Dr Naik points out an intriguing example from Islamic law: 20 years ago, video recordings weren’t accepted as primary evidence in court—only eyewitness accounts were. Back then, video footage was seen as secondary proof. Today, with deepfakes and AI-generated videos, even video recordings can be manipulated, reducing their reliability.
In fact, this legal principle from Islamic jurisprudence unintentionally forecasted issues that AI would bring into the justice system long before most people considered the possibility. This shows a nuanced awareness in the Quranic framework without explicitly spelling out emerging technologies like computers or artificial intelligence.
Why Isn’t Everything Mentioned?
The Quran’s succinct nature doesn’t mean it’s incomplete or outdated. Rather, it means it’s designed to be timeless and applicable across all eras without getting bogged down by every scientific or technological detail. If it tried to cover every facet—from embryology to AI—it would be overwhelmingly voluminous and lose its spiritual focus.
The true miracle, Dr Naik suggests, lies in the Quran containing knowledge that was unknown to 7th-century people yet proven right centuries later. When new phenomena are discovered, they don’t contradict the Quran’s signs; instead, they often highlight the depth and foresight of its guidance.
So, the omission of AI or computer technology isn’t a gap but a reflection of the Quran’s purpose. It speaks in signs that endure through time—not in encyclopedic scientific data that would make it an impossibly vast text.
