In the heart of the Islamic nation's aspirations for revival, the concept of the "Victory Generation" emerges as a symbol of hope for restoring its civilizational status. This is especially true in light of the artificial intelligence revolution and other technological advancements that enable this generation to achieve what previous ones could not.
The millennial generation today finds itself at the forefront of an unprecedented technological revolution shaping the future of humanity. This revolution presents a historic opportunity for the Islamic nation to be a key player in building a new world, coinciding with indications of a possible retreat of the unipolar world led by the United States.
In the face of this transformation, the importance of the "Victory Generation" concept becomes evident. It refers to the generation capable of reclaiming the Islamic nation's civilizational role by mastering the tools of the age and contributing to shaping its future. This concept aligns with the principle of stewardship on earth, as mentioned in the Quran: "And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.'" (Al-Baqarah: 30)
I believe we are at a defining moment that merges spiritual heritage with scientific ambition. We can seize this opportunity by utilizing what Allah has granted us—tools that enable machines to simulate human thinking. This cannot be separated from the Islamic vision of knowledge as a means to understand and harness the universe.
The Quran calls for reflection and contemplation on Allah’s creation, as in: "And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth – all from Him." (Al-Jathiyah: 13)
From this perspective, artificial intelligence is an extension of this subjugation, enhancing human ability to control resources and improve life.
The concept of stewardship on earth, as stated in: "And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority.'" (Al-Baqarah: 30) carries an inherent call for creativity and innovation. This means that harnessing artificial intelligence can serve the higher objectives of Sharia, foremost among them the preservation of life and intellect—provided it is directed toward serving humanity rather than exploiting it. If the Islamic nation can invest in it with a vision rooted in its values and objectives, AI could become a tool for achieving these noble purposes.
Patents
However, this opportunity does not come without challenges. The digital divide between the Islamic world and Western nations in AI is evident. According to a 2023 report by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, Islamic countries hold less than 5% of global AI patents, whereas 76% are concentrated in the United States and China.
This reality presents the "Aspired Victory Generation" with a knowledge-based challenge that requires doubled efforts on the technical front, alongside ethical challenges AI imposes, such as privacy concerns and algorithmic bias.
Addressing these challenges necessitates maintaining the independence of new innovations and the ability to transfer technology to Islamic countries. Relying solely on imported technologies without contributing to their development poses a significant threat to the nation’s autonomy, leaving it at the mercy of suppliers—a trap that many Islamic countries have already fallen into regarding their essential needs, particularly food, medicine, and weaponry.
Undoubtedly, this reality contradicts the essence of the Quranic call to preparedness and strength in confronting adversaries: "And prepare against them whatever you are able of power." (Al-Anfal: 60)
Achieving this goal is impossible if the nation remains entirely dependent on the knowledge and innovations of others.
From another angle, artificial intelligence presents an opportunity to unlock new paths for revival by reviving Islamic heritage through the digitization and analysis of manuscripts, facilitating access to vast knowledge treasures.
For instance, a study published in 2023 by the Journal of the Faculty of Islamic and Arabic Studies for Boys in Cairo highlighted the potential use of AI in facilitating research in Hadith sciences. This includes the authentication of Hadiths and the analysis of narrators according to the methodologies of Hadith scholars. Such advancements could significantly enhance research in Islamic sciences, reducing the time and effort that great scholars like Sheikh Muhammad Nasiruddin Al-Albani and Sheikh Shu'ayb Al-Arna'ut spent decades perfecting.
Applying AI in such areas could lead to qualitative breakthroughs in fields like Fiqh and Hadith studies. The concept of "comprehensive knowledge" is no longer unattainable even for the general public, let alone scholars and academic institutions.
The Educational System
To achieve this, educational systems must be reformed to integrate AI sciences into curricula, emphasizing creativity over rote memorization. In my view, this requires exceptional encouragement of scientific research in this field, inspired by the Quranic command: "Say, [O Muhammad], ‘Travel through the land and observe how He began creation.’" (Al-Ankabut: 20)
Moreover, an Islamic ethical framework must be established for AI to ensure its use for the benefit of humanity. Here, religious institutions play a pivotal role in guiding technology based on the objectives of Sharia, which emphasize goodness and justice.
In this context, it is worth highlighting Malaysia's experience in developing AI models for analyzing Sharia texts, as well as Arab initiatives like "Artificial Intelligence in Arabic" in Saudi Arabia. These examples demonstrate how AI can be employed for societal benefit and serve as evidence that the Victory Generation can successfully lead this field.
Artificial intelligence is not merely a technological tool; it is a historic opportunity for a generation capable of leaving its mark on human civilization. However, this requires balancing the investment in AI’s capabilities with preserving the Islamic identity, as Allah commands: "But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world." (Al-Qasas: 77)
Collaboration between religious, scientific, and economic institutions is essential to building a future that harmonizes material and spiritual strength. This would achieve a true victory for a nation that has long been marginalized but whose resurgence is vital for a world in need of its values and contributions.
This opportunity goes beyond merely keeping pace with technological advancements; it extends to actively shaping the future of humanity with the values of justice and mercy that Islam advocates, as reflected in: "And thus We have made you a just community that you will be witnesses over the people." (Al-Baqarah: 143)
To realize this vision, we must recognize that technological superiority is not an end in itself but a means to fulfill the sought-after civilizational stewardship—one that combines the cultivation of the earth with the worship of Allah.
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