Digital Interpretation: An Analytical Study of the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Interpretation of the Qur'an

Abstract

The rapid integration of digital technology into Islamic scholarship has given rise to new forms of Qur’anic interpretation that challenge traditional hermeneutical boundaries. This study addresses the critical problem of how artificial intelligence (AI) is utilized in digital tafsir applications and what implications it holds for the continuity of classical exegesis. The research aims to describe the forms and mechanisms of AI-based Qur’anic interpretation, analyze its potential, advantages, and limitations, examine its epistemological and methodological implications, and provide a critical perspective on its position within contemporary tafsir studies. Employing a qualitative explorative approach, this research uses a literature-based methodology supported by technological sources and content analysis of AI-driven tafsir platforms. The data consist of selected scholarly works on digital tafsir, theoretical studies on AI, and textual materials from Qur’anic interpretation applications enhanced by AI. The findings indicate that AI enables structured, accessible, and dynamic interpretive outputs while simultaneously raising challenges regarding authenticity, contextual depth, and the preservation of interpretive authority. Surprisingly, the study reveals that AI not only functions as a supportive tool but also emerges as an epistemic actor that reshapes the interpretive landscape. This research contributes theoretically by broadening the discourse on tafsir in the digital era and practically by offering insights for scholars, educators, and developers of tafsir platforms. While the study is limited to conceptual and textual analyses, it opens pathways for further empirical research on user reception and ethical frameworks in AI-driven Qur’anic interpretation