Use AI without giving up your mind
“Just 'cause something's more advanced, just 'cause something's more easy or easier, does not mean it's better or morally sound.”
The khutbah argues that Muslims should protect their intellect and moral agency by pursuing beneficial knowledge, limiting passive reliance on AI and social media, maintaining human relationships, and using technology ethically.
The khutbah in 5 steps
- Defines worship and links faith, knowledge, and civilizational flourishing.
- Frames AI as a power structure that can displace work, shape morality, and weaken independent thought.
- Cites claimed research and social-media manipulation to warn against passive digital dependence.
- Urges reading books, human conversation, critical-thinking practice, and thoughtful technology use.
- Presents Thaura as an ethical Muslim AI alternative and calls believers to act responsibly.
In the khateeb's words
“AI can say whatever they want it to say to you. Whoever's controlling AI decides everything that's real and not real.”
“Just 'cause something's more advanced, just 'cause something's more easy or easier, does not mean it's better or morally sound.”
“Learn to talk to people. Have differing views. Challenge each other. Learn respectable discourse. Learn emotional intelligence. Get to know people.”
“The believer stands out as an objectively moral, spiritually inclined, intellectual who wants to bring solutions to real problems because I am a servant of God.”
For the dinner table
The khateeb taught that learning is part of worship and that Muslims should use knowledge to benefit people. He warned that letting AI and social media do all our thinking can weaken memory, attention, and judgment. He did not say AI is automatically haram; instead, he urged careful and purposeful use. This week, we can read something in full, spend phone-free time with real people, and practice solving problems ourselves. We should choose technology thoughtfully and remember that God holds each person responsible for their choices.
- What is one thing you would rather learn yourself than have AI do for you?
- When was the last time you had a good phone-free conversation?
- What real problem could our family help solve this week?
More on Seeking knowledge
IMAN Center · Kirkland, WA · Sep 19, 2026Knowledge matters only when it changes us“Sometimes the problem is knowledge without action.”
Daar-Ul-Islam · Ballwin, MO · Oct 3, 2026The first revelation calls us to learn and serve“Before any type of great transformation occurs outwardly, there must be deep reflection inwardly.”
CCIL-KBW · Laval, QC · Sep 26, 2026Protect your heart from information overload“Faire confiance à Allah ne signifie pas rester sans rien faire.”