From Hijrah to Digital Transformation: A Critical Study of the “Emigration” Entry in Brill’s Encyclopaedia of the Qurʾān (Letter E) and Its Relevance to Artificial Intelligence Ethics

Abstract

The contemporary world is undergoing rapid transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), reshaping human cognition, social organization, and ethical decision-making. This technological shift has created an urgent need for interdisciplinary frameworks that can bridge classical religious thought with modern digital realities. This study critically examines the “Emigration” (Hijrah) entry in Brill’s Encyclopaedia of the Qurʾān (Letter E), situating it within Qur’anic discourse and exploring its relevance to AI ethics and digital transformation. Methodologically, the research employs qualitative textual analysis, combining Qur’anic exegesis, classical Islamic scholarship, and contemporary AI ethics literature. The study argues that Hijrah is not merely a historical migration but a dynamic ethical principle of transformative movement from oppression to justice, from stagnation to progress, and from moral corruption to ethical refinement. By critically analyzing the Brill entry, the paper highlights both its academic strengths and its limitations in addressing modern technological realities such as algorithmic governance, digital surveillance, and AI-driven decision systems. The study further proposes the concept of “Digital Hijrah,” reinterpreting Qur’anic ethical migration as a framework for navigating digital transformation in the age of AI. It suggests that Islamic ethical principles such as justice (ʿadl), stewardship (khilāfah), and moral excellence (iḥsān) can provide a foundational ethical architecture for responsible AI governance. Ultimately, the paper contributes to the growing field of religion and technology studies by demonstrating how Qur’anic concepts, when critically reinterpreted, can inform contemporary debates on AI ethics, human agency, and digital civilization.