Friday Post 21

By Shofi Ahmed

By now, perhaps we can see a reasonably clear picture of why AI, even with its talismanic ability, is unable to rewrite a single verse of the Qur’an. Nonetheless, we can use AI to explore the Qur’an. With that in mind, let’s delve into the topic. The Qur’an is one of the most widely read and studied religious texts in the world. Its teachings and principles have guided the lives of billions of people for centuries. However, despite its popularity and significance, there are still many aspects of the Qur’an that remain hidden from the human perspective.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to aid in our exploration and understanding of the Qur’an. AI can be used to analyse vast amounts of data and patterns within the Qur’an, leading to a deeper understanding of its teachings and the mysteries of the universe.

One way that AI can aid in our exploration of the Qur’an is through natural language processing (NLP). NLP is a field of AI that focuses on the interaction between humans and computers through natural language. By using NLP, we can teach computers to understand and analyse the complex language and syntax of the Qur’an.

For example, AI can be used to analyse the language and syntax of the Qur’an to identify recurring themes and patterns that may not be immediately discernible to human readers. Through this analysis, we can gain a deeper understanding of the structure and organisation of the Qur’an, as well as the themes and principles that underpin its teachings.

Another way that AI can aid in our exploration of the Qur’an is through data visualisation. Data visualisation is the process of displaying complex data in a visual format, such as graphs or charts. By using AI to create data visualisations of the Qur’an, we can better understand the relationships and connections between different concepts and themes.

For example, AI can be used to analyse the frequency of certain words or phrases within the Qur’an and create visualisations that show how often they appear and in what context. By visualising these patterns, we can gain a deeper understanding of the Qur’an’s teachings and the significance of certain concepts within its text.

So to summarise AI has the potential to aid in our exploration and understanding of the Qur’an and the mysteries of the universe. By using AI to analyse vast amounts of data and patterns, we can gain new insights into the principles of divinity and the workings of the natural world. While we cannot be certain of the full potential of AI in this regard, there is no doubt that it has the potential to unlock levels of understanding that were previously unattainable without it.

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding” (Quran 3:190)

This verse highlights the beauty and complexity of the universe as a sign of Allah’s existence and power. It suggests that those who ponder and reflect on the natural world can gain a deeper understanding of Allah’s divine attributes. This is just one example of the many verses in the Quran that can be explored through the lens of AI and its potential for uncovering hidden wonders, connections and meanings.