International Jornal of Noesantara Islamic Studies

REIMAGINING ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE: TECHNOLOGY, AUTHORITY, AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF RELIGIOUS MEANING

2026-03-10T22:21:48+07:00

The rapid expansion of digital technologies and artificial intelligence has profoundly transformed the production, circulation, and interpretation of religious knowledge within Muslim societies. Islamic civilization, historically shaped by institutional scholarship and structured chains of authority, now operates within algorithmically mediated environments that redefine visibility, legitimacy, and engagement. This study aims to examine how technology reshapes religious authority and transforms the meaning-making processes within contemporary Islamic contexts. A mixed-method design was employed, combining quantitative survey analysis (n = 95), digital ethnography, discourse analysis of online religious content, and semi-structured interviews with institutional scholars, digital influencers, and Muslim users. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between digital engagement and perceived transformation of religious meaning (? = 0.46, p < 0.001), while qualitative findings indicated a shift toward networked, participatory authority structures. The results demonstrate that religious authority is not eroded but reconfigured through accessibility, interactivity, and algorithmic visibility. The study concludes that Islamic civilization in the digital age undergoes structural adaptation rather than rupture, requiring a reconceptualization of authority that integrates technological mediation with classical epistemic traditions.

COMPUTATIONAL HERMENEUTICS IN ISLAM: OPPORTUNITIES AND LIMITS OF AI-DRIVEN SCRIPTURAL ANALYSIS

2026-03-10T22:35:16+07:00

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and natural language processing has introduced computational methods into the field of religious textual studies, including Islamic scriptural analysis. Digital corpora of the Qur’an and classical tafs?r literature have enabled large-scale textual processing, yet the epistemological implications of AI-driven interpretation remain insufficiently examined. This study aims to evaluate the opportunities and structural limits of computational hermeneutics within Islamic epistemology. The research employs a qualitative interdisciplinary design combining bibliometric review, computational text analysis of selected Qur’anic passages, and comparative hermeneutical evaluation against classical exegetical works. Findings indicate that AI systems demonstrate high effectiveness in lexical mapping, thematic clustering, and intertextual detection, with strong semantic overlap at the descriptive level. Contextual depth and doctrinal sensitivity, however, remain limited due to the absence of intentional reasoning and normative prioritization within algorithmic models. The study concludes that computational hermeneutics can function as a powerful analytical assistant but cannot substitute for authoritative human interpretation grounded in Islamic hermeneutical principles. Responsible integration requires clear epistemological boundaries and structured scholarly oversight.

HADITH AND BIOETHICS: NAVIGATING PROPHETIC NARRATIVES ON HEALTH TECHNOLOGY AND FUTURE GENETIC ENGINEERING

2026-04-12T18:06:41+07:00

Rapid advancements in health technology and genetic engineering have generated complex ethical dilemmas that challenge existing bioethical frameworks, particularly within religious communities seeking guidance grounded in their traditions. Islamic bioethics has largely relied on juridical reasoning and Qur’anic principles, while the ethical potential of Hadith narratives remains underexplored. This study aims to examine how Prophetic teachings can inform ethical deliberation on contemporary biomedical technologies and future genetic interventions. A qualitative interdisciplinary design was employed, combining hermeneutic analysis of selected Hadith texts with thematic coding and alignment to contemporary bioethical issues in health technology and genetic engineering. Findings indicate that Hadith-based ethics strongly emphasize therapeutic intervention, preservation of life, and prevention of harm, demonstrating significant relevance to modern bioethical concerns. Variations in applicability reveal that Prophetic guidance is more directly aligned with clinical treatment and risk management than with emerging enhancement technologies, which require interpretive extension. The study concludes that Hadith narratives provide a dynamic and adaptable ethical framework that complements existing bioethical models by integrating moral intentionality, contextual reasoning, and practical guidance. Such integration enhances ethical coherence in navigating rapidly evolving biomedical innovations.

ALGORITHMIC SOCIETIES AND MUSLIM MORAL AGENCY: ISLAM AT THE THRESHOLD OF DIGITAL CIVILIZATION

2026-04-21T19:08:21+07:00

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has led to the emergence of algorithmic societies, where automated systems increasingly govern decision-making processes. In such societies, ethical concerns regarding human agency and moral decision-making have become more pressing, especially for Muslim communities navigating a digital world. Islamic moral teachings, which emphasize justice, equity, and individual responsibility, provide a comprehensive ethical framework that can address the challenges posed by algorithmic governance. This study explores the intersection of Islamic ethics and algorithmic societies, focusing on how Islamic moral agency can be preserved in the face of technological transformation. The research employs a qualitative approach, analyzing Islamic ethical principles alongside the impact of algorithmic systems on governance and social structures. The findings reveal that while Islamic ethics offer a robust framework for addressing the ethical challenges of digital governance, there is a significant gap in their integration into algorithmic decision-making processes. The study concludes that it is crucial to incorporate Islamic values such as fairness, transparency, and social responsibility into digital technologies to safeguard moral agency. This paper contributes to the discourse on digital ethics by proposing an Islamic ethical model for the digital age, advocating for a more inclusive and just digital civilization.