Sh. Mohammad Idrissi

Artificial intelligence (AI) has progressed and developed rapidly in recent years. Today we have computers, phones, and other hardware that exhibit abilities and intelligence that make humans in some respects appear primitive.1 Because of the rapid progress of this technology, many postulate that AI may even become conscious, and that the implications may undermine religious narratives. If AI can become conscious, then there could be a physical explanation for what makes us human.2 The concept of the soul in Islam, known as rūḥ in Arabic, is something about what [...]

When I was a kid, my parents always scolded me for trying to drink my grandfather's whiskey. Imagine, an active and curious little boy, watching his grandfather sip that thick, golden, smooth liquid. I wanted to drink some too! However, every time I tried to secretly drink that tempting beverage, I got into big trouble. I never understood why, and that would be the cause of negative thoughts about my parents going through my mind. As the years passed, I realized why I was not allowed to drink my grandfather's whiskey; it could have poisoned me. A drink [...]

We all want to be free and our desire for freedom is what makes us human. The word freedom is obviously powerful and is often used in different contexts. When referring to morality, common expressions are used, such as "I am free to do whatever I want as long as I don't hurt anyone." In the political realm, freedom is used as what marks a civilized nation; repressive regimes are not associated with the word. Our intuitions tell us that freedom is our birthright, it is a good thing, and, if necessary, we must [...]