The integration of artificial intelligence in prayer time applications: Potentials, challenges and Shariah perspectives
Integrasi kecerdasan buatan dalam aplikasi waktu solat: Potensi, cabaran dan perspektif Syariah
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37231/jimk.2026.27.1.960Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Prayer Time Applications, Shariah Compliance, Data Privacy, Digital WorshipAbstract
The advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly influenced digital religious applications, particularly through adaptive, personalised and data-driven features that support prayer time applications. Since the validity of prayer is strictly tied to accurate timing, the use of AI in this domain requires critical evaluation from both technological and Shariah perspectives. This study aims to examine the potential of AI-supported features in enhancing the efficiency, personalisation and usability of prayer time applications, with particular attention to technical accuracy, Shariah compliance, algorithmic transparency and user privacy concerns. A qualitative, library-based methodology was employed by analyzing scholarly works, astronomical guidelines, fatwas and official Islamic institutional documents. The analysis integrates inductive and deductive approaches. The inductive approach was used to identify practical issues reported in existing literature and observable application features, while the deductive approach evaluated the conformity of AI-based applications with astronomical principles and Shariah requirements. Findings indicate that digital prayer time applications enhance access to prayer time information through geolocation and astronomical calculation, while AI may strengthen supporting features such as adaptive reminders, personalisation, contextual alerts and data-driven user assistance. Where AI-based functionality is present, it may support adaptive reminders, contextual alerts and personalised user assistance that are adaptable to users’ daily routines and supports the integration of complementary features such as calendars and Qiblah direction. Nevertheless, several challenges remain including inconsistent geographical data, environmental factors such as weather conditions and urban obstructions may complicate observational validation and local horizon assessment, although standard astronomical calculations primarily depend on validated parameters and geolocation data. In conclusion, AI offers significant potential in strengthening the functionality of prayer time applications. However, its adoption requires not only technical accuracy but also ethical responsibility and Shariah compliance, ensuring that such innovations function as trustworthy tools that enhance, rather than undermine, the sanctity of Islamic worship in the digital age.
Kemajuan kecerdasan buatan (Artificial Intelligence) telah memperluas potensi aplikasi keagamaan digital, termasuk aplikasi waktu solat. Memandangkan kesahan solat berkait rapat dengan masuknya waktu yang ditetapkan, penerapan ciri-ciri yang disokong oleh AI memerlukan penilaian kritis daripada perspektif teknologi dan Syariah. Kajian ini meneliti potensi, keterbatasan dan keperluan tadbir urus aplikasi waktu solat yang disokong AI, dengan memberikan perhatian khusus terhadap ketepatan astronomi, kalibrasi setempat, ketelusan algoritma, privasi dan pematuhan Syariah. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif berasaskan kajian kepustakaan melalui analisis terhadap karya ilmiah, panduan astronomi, bahan perundangan Islam yang berkaitan serta dokumen rasmi yang dikeluarkan oleh pihak berkuasa Islam. Analisis dilaksanakan dengan menggabungkan pendekatan induktif untuk mengenal pasti isu teknikal dan etika yang berulang, serta pendekatan deduktif berasaskan ilmu falak, prinsip fiqh dan maqasid al-Shariah. Dapatan menunjukkan bahawa penentuan asas waktu solat masih bergantung pada geolokasi, parameter astronomi yang disahkan dan pengiraan berasaskan peraturan. AI, apabila terbukti diintegrasikan, boleh berfungsi sebagai lapisan pelengkap bagi menyediakan peringatan kontekstual, bantuan pengguna yang diperibadikan dan sokongan berasaskan data. Walau bagaimanapun, ciri-ciri tersebut tidak boleh menggantikan parameter falak tempatan, autoriti institusi atau proses pengesahan berasaskan Syariah. Antara isu utama yang dikenal pasti ialah penetapan geografi yang tidak sesuai, pendedahan kaedah pengiraan yang terhad, risiko privasi berkaitan data lokasi dan penggunaan serta pergantungan berlebihan terhadap output automatik yang tidak telus. Analisis ini menunjukkan bahawa aplikasi waktu solat yang boleh dipercayai perlu mengintegrasikan dua dimensi yang saling berkait, iaitu kesahan pengiraan astronomi asas dan tadbir urus etika bagi ciri-ciri yang disokong AI. Oleh itu, aplikasi waktu solat yang disokong AI hendaklah dibangunkan melalui kerangka yang telus, peka terhadap privasi dan dipandu oleh tadbir urus Syariah agar teknologi tersebut dapat memperkukuh, bukan menjejaskan integriti ibadah umat Islam dalam era digital.
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