From Foundation to Future: Opportunities and Challenges in Using AI to Enhance Halaqah Educational Model in the Digital World Context

Abstract

This qualitative research had four main objectives: 1) To study the traditional Halakah educational model and its current applications. 2) To explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing teaching and learning. 3) To identify opportunities and challenges in integrating AI with Halakah in the digital world. 4) To develop a conceptual framework for AI application aligned with Islamic principles. The study was employing purposive sampling to select 23 key informants, including scholars, administrators, and experts in Islamic education and digital technology. The research instruments comprised semi-structured interviews and a Focus Group Discussion, complemented by document analysis. The key findings aligned with the objectives are: 1) Key elements of traditional Halakah are the teacher-student relationship and the Isnad system, while modern applications frequently adopt blended and online formats. 2) AI possesses high potential in creating personalized learning experiences and supporting knowledge management. 3) The main opportunity is expanding global access to Islamic education, while the challenge lies in preserving the essence of the human-to-human relationship and mitigating the digital divide. 4) The developed conceptual framework is guided by the principles of Wasatiyyah (moderation and balance) and Maqasid al-Shari'ah (objectives of Islamic law) to govern AI usage. The main recommendation is to establish policies that foster sustainable AI research and development for Islamic education, emphasizing the reinforcement of the teacher's role in character development alongside technology adoption.