Islamic Ethical Analysis of Deepfakes and Religious Image Manipulation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65586/jli.v1i2.28Keywords:
Deepfake, Islamic ethics, Maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, Post-truth religiosity, Religious imageAbstract
When images can replace truth, deepfakes test the limits of trust and authenticity in religion. This study aims to explain the relevance of Islamic ethical principles in assessing digital visual manipulation practices, filling a gap in knowledge in the study of Islamic-based technology ethics. This study uses a qualitative approach with a normative-analytical research design, combined with contextual analysis, an explore the meanings, values, and norms contained in Islamic texts and contemporary social practices. The results state that religious deepfakes create an ethical and knowledge crisis because they make it difficult to distinguish authentic fatwās from fake ones, undermine the foundations of Islamic authority in the form of sanad, integrity ('adālah), and clarity of sources, and violate ṣidq and amānah through tadlīs, ifk, and distortion of meaning that has widespread impacts (mafsadah ‘āmmah) such as radicalisation, sectarian conflict, and a decline in trust in religious institutions. The novelty of this synthesis positions the phenomenon as post-truth religiosity. It proposes a framework of digital authenticity fiqh that goes hand in hand with digital literacy as farḍ kifāyah, so that practical policy responses need to balance the protection of religion with justice and the right to expression through transparent source verification, accountable platform governance, and tabayyun education.
References
Adeoye, M. A. (2025). Hoaxes in Islamic Perspective: Qur’anic Solutions for Building an Anti-Hoax Society. Al-Karim: International Journal of Quranic and Islamic Studies, 3(1), 35–58. https://doi.org/10.33367/al-karim.v3i1.6818
Afif, F., Khasri, M. R. K., & Khasri, M. I. U. A. (2024). Post-Truth And Qur’an: Hacking The Truth Decay Through The Qur’anic Epistemological-Ethical Vision. Religia, 27(2), 162–195. https://doi.org/10.28918/religia.v27i2.8562
Ahmad, S., Qamar, A. J., Bhatti, M. A. A., & Bashir, U. (2023). Integrating Islamic Ethics with Modern Governance: A Comprehensive Framework for Accountability Across Religious, Social, and Economic Dimensions. Al-Irfan, 8(15), 51–79. https://doi.org/10.58932/MULB0043
Alanazi, S., Asif, S., Caird-daley, A., & Moulitsas, I. (2025). Unmasking deepfakes: a multidisciplinary examination of social impacts and regulatory responses. Human-Intelligent Systems Integration, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42454-025-00060-4
Anoraga, B. (2024). The Future of Artificial Intelligence in/and of Islam: A View from Muslim Southeast Asia. Journal of Islamic and Muslim Studies, 9(1), 115–123. https://doi.org/10.2979/jims.00031
Ayu, R. F., Albab, M. U., Yakin, M. A., & Hibbatulloh, I. (2025). Legal Challenges in Countering Religion-Based Terrorism in Asia. Jurnal Lentera Insani, 1(1), 1–15.
Badawy, W. (2025). Animating the sacred: the ethical and cultural implications of AI-powered awakening of pharaonic symbols using deepfake techniques. AI and Ethics, 5(6), 6171–6184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43681-025-00807-4
Elmahjub, E. (2023). Artificial intelligence (AI) in Islamic ethics: Towards pluralist ethical benchmarking for AI. Philosophy & Technology, 36(4), 73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-023-00668-x
George, A. S., & George, A. S. H. (2023). Deepfakes: the evolution of hyper realistic media manipulation. Partners Universal Innovative Research Publication, 1(2), 58–74. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10148558
Gregory, S. (2022). Deepfakes, misinformation and disinformation and authenticity infrastructure responses: Impacts on frontline witnessing, distant witnessing, and civic journalism. Journalism, 23(3), 708–729. https://doi.org/10.1177/14648849211060644
Habib, Z. (2025). Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Maqāṣid Al-Sharīa’s Perspective. KARSA Journal of Social and Islamic Culture, 33(1), 105–134.
Haq, S. U., & Kwok, R. Y. (2024). Encountering “the Other” in Religious Social Media: A Cross-Cultural Analysis. Social Media+ Society, 10(4), 20563051241303364. https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051241303363
Harun, M. S., Abdullah, L., Idris, M. A. H., Meerangani, K. A., & Ali, A. K. (2025). The Concept of Al-Thawābit and Al-Mutaghayyirāt in Technological Innovation According to Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah. Millah: Journal of Religious Studies. https://doi.org/10.20885/millah.vol24.iss2.art1
Hayatullah, M., Ikhsan, M., Ramadhany, S. S. M., Rohman, I. N., & Hidayat, T. (2025). Media Discourse Analysis on Religious Tolerance Issues in Indonesia. Jurnal Pelita Raya, 1(1), 61–75. https://doi.org/10.65586/jpr.v1i1.8
Hayatullah, M., Rohman, M. A., & Gonzales, N. (2025). Analysis of Shiite Political Thought in Iran and Its Influence in Indonesia. Jurnal Lentera Insani, 1(1), 16–31.
Hibbatulloh, I., Najhan, A. S., Dzulfikar, M. L., & Mabrur, R. (2025). The Secularisation of Islamic Criminal Law and Its Implications for the Protection of Human Rights in Indonesia. Insani: Jurnal Pranata Sosial Hukum Islam, 1(1), 17–31. https://doi.org/10.65586/insani.v1i1.7
Ibrahim, Z. S., Karimullah, S. S., Assaad, A. I., Septiani, R., & Okur, H. (2025). Integration of Maqaṣid al-Shari’ah in the Criminal Law Reform to Achieve Justice and Human Dignity. Jurnal Hukum Islam, 23(1), 105–144.
Indriyani, P. I. (2023). Transformation of Islamic Religious Practices in the Digital Era: Opportunities and Challenges for Contemporary Da’wah. Jurnal Dakwah, 24(2), 175–192. https://doi.org/10.14421/jd.2023.24205
Karimullah, S. S. (2023). The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Islamic Law Discovery. Mutawasith: Jurnal Hukum Islam, 6(2), 109–121. https://doi.org/10.47971/mjhi.v6i2.748
Karimullah, S. S., Amin, M., & Munawwarah, U. D. (2022). Strengthening Spiritual Education Based on the Qur’ān in Building Character in the Digital Age. Devotion Journal of Community Service, 3(14), 2785–2794. https://doi.org/10.36418/dev.v3i14.316
Karimullah, S. S., Rahman, R., & Elmurtadho, F. (2023). Reflections of Prophetic Values on Strengthening Da’wah in the Digitalization Era. Mawaizh: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Pengembangan Sosial Kemanusiaan, 14(2), 134–154. https://doi.org/10.32923/maw.v14i2.3279
Karimullah, S. S., Sugitanata, A., & Elmurtadho, F. (2023). Juridical Analysis Of Public Information Disclosure In Government Systems In The Digital Era. Constitution Journal, 2(2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.35719/constitution.v2i2.64
Kaur, K., Nair, S., Kwok, Y., Kajimoto, M., Chua, Y. T., Labiste, M. D., Soon, C., Jo, H., & Lin, L. (2018). Information Disorder in Asia: Overview of Misinformation Ecosystem in India, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3134581
Krkić, M. (2025). Cultural perspectives on AI usage and regulation in deepfake creation: How culture shapes AI practices. International Communication of Chinese Culture, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40636-025-00330-5
Lange, C. (2022). Introduction: The sensory history of the Islamic world. In The Senses and Society (Vol. 17, Issue 1, pp. 1–7). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1080/17458927.2021.2020603
Latif, F. A., Dahhur, M., & Ramadhany, S. S. M. (2025). Protection of Freedom of Religion in Islamic Law in Secular Turkey and Its Relevance for Indonesia. Insani: Jurnal Pranata Sosial Hukum Islam, 1(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.65586/insani.v1i1.1
Matli, W. (2024). Extending the theory of information poverty to deepfake technology. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 4(2), 100286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2024.100286
Matthews, T., & Kidd, I. J. (2023). The ethics and epistemology of deepfakes. The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy and Media Ethics, 342–354. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003134749-33
Morrison, T. (2025). Religeopolitics and the Affective Spatialities of Faith: Rethinking Religion in Geopolitical Analysis. Geography Compass, 19(12), e70055. https://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.70055
Murillo-Ligorred, V., Ramos-Vallecillo, N., Covaleda, I., & Fayos, L. (2023). Knowledge, integration and scope of deepfakes in arts education: The development of critical thinking in postgraduate students in primary education and master’s degree in secondary education. Education Sciences, 13(11), 1073. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13111073
Mustapha, R., & Malkan, S. N. A. (2025). Maqasid Al-Shariah In The Ai Era: Balancing Innovation And Islamic Ethical Principles. International Journal of Islamic Theology & Civilization (E-ISSN-3009-1551), 3(3), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15381828
Nandini, C. P., & Jha, A. (2025). Shaping Perceptions, Shaping Realities: Social Media Influencers and Human Rights Narratives in Crisis. In The Asian Yearbook of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (pp. 61–106). Brill Nijhoff. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004748736_004
Neo, R., & Yin, J. (2023). Of social discipline and control: The stratified impact of fake news and disinformation on minorities in Indonesia. International Journal on Minority and Group Rights, 31(1), 110–132. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718115-bja10115
Octavianne, H., Suhariadi, F., Mudzakkir, M. F., Trianto, D., & Chamdan, U. (2024). Identity Politics and Polarization in Contemporary Muslim Countries: The Impact of Elections, Social Media, and Global Dynamics. MILRev: Metro Islamic Law Review, 3(2), 263–286. https://doi.org/10.32332/milrev.v3i2.9909
Öhman, C. (2022). The identification game: deepfakes and the epistemic limits of identity. Synthese, 200(4), 319. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-022-03798-5
Pertamawati, T., Rukiyanto, B. A., & Asifarani, E. (2025). Negotiating Religious Identity in State Schools Within the Flow of National Curriculum Policy. Jurnal Pelita Raya, 1(2), 76–91. https://doi.org/10.65586/jpr.v1i2.19
Prianto, A. L., Karimullah, S. S., Idri, I., Ibrahim, Z. S., Nugraha, A. R., & Gönan, Y. (2024). Hijacking of State Power on Religious Freedom by Community Organizations in Indonesia. Jurnal Ilmiah Islam Futura, 24(2), 348–367. https://doi.org/10.22373/jiif.v24i2.17916
Raquib, A., Channa, B., Zubair, T., & Qadir, J. (2022). Islamic virtue-based ethics for artificial intelligence. Discover Artificial Intelligence, 2(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44163-022-00028-2
Reczkowski, R., Starzyński, S., & Łużyński, W. (2025). Religion in the Face of Cognitive Security Challenges. Pastoral Psychology, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-025-01257-9
Safari, A., Ismael, D., Safari, M., & Freihaut, J. (2026). From comparison to integration: Building energy simulation tool variability and the case for intelligent retrofit workflows. Energy Reports, 15, 108880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2025.12.017
Sianipar, G., Wahyunisa, H., Ayu, R. F., Ulfa, M., & Fajri, M. A. (2025). Analysis of Deradicalisation Strategies Through Family Programmes in Indonesia. Jurnal Pelita Raya, 1(2), 106–121. https://doi.org/10.65586/jpr.v1i2.21
Siregar, M. H., Abdurrahman, Z., Kamal, M., & Zainal, Z. (2025). Digital fiqh and ethical governance: Negotiating islamic normativity and online narcissism in contemporary indonesia. JURIS (Jurnal Ilmiah Syariah), 24(1), 181–191. https://doi.org/10.31958/juris.v24i1.13218
Stewart, E. R. (2014). Internet Evangelization and the False Dilemma of Innovation and Tradition in the Analysis of Digital Religious Practice. Arc: The Journal of the School of Religious Studies, 42, 111–124. https://doi.org/10.26443/arc.v42i.395
Suying, D. L. (2022). Deep fakes and disinformation in Asia. In Deep Fakes (pp. 23–49). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003173397-2
Usmonov, M. (2025). From Human Scholars to AI Fatwas: Media, Ethics, and the Limits of AI in Islamic Religious Communication. Al-i’lam-Journal of Contemporary Islamic Communication and Media, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.33102/jcicom.vol5no1.125
van Tilborgh, Y. (2023). Civilising Attempts in Art and Islam: Muslim Artistic Performance Facing Social Orders in the UK. In British Muslims and Their Discourses (pp. 141–182). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-45013-6_7
Wahyudi, Mahrus, Kurniyadi, Munawwarah, U. D., & Khoiruddin. (2025). Carl Rogers’ Humanistic Approach in Character Education in Pesantren. Jurnal Pelita Raya, 1(1), 31–45. https://doi.org/10.65586/jpr.v1i1.10
Williamson, S. M., & Prybutok, V. (2024). The era of artificial intelligence deception: unraveling the complexities of false realities and emerging threats of misinformation. Information, 15(6), 299. https://doi.org/10.3390/info15060299
Yilmaz, I., Saleem, R. M. A., Pargoo, M., Shukri, S., Ismail, I., & Shakil, K. (2022). Religious populism, cyberspace and digital authoritarianism in Asia: India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Turkey. European Center for Populism Studies. https://doi.org/10.55271/5jchdy
Zhang, A. (2024). Virtual Reality Image Creation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, 118–126. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61359-3_9
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Hijriatu Sakinah, Arsy Shakila Putri, Ainur Rofiq
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
