Companion Robots, Digital Intimacy and the Purposes of Marriage in Islamic Legal Philosophy
COMPANION ROBOTS, DIGITAL INTIMACY AND THE PURPOSES OF MARRIAGE IN ISLAMIC LEGAL PHILOSOPHY
This study critically examines the rise of artificial intimacy and companion robots through the lens of Islamic legal philosophy (uṣūl al-fiqh). It argues that companion robots function as a form of technological substitution ('Digital Badal') that erodes the moral labor, mutual responsibility, and spiritual purposes of Islamic marriage (nikāḥ). Rejecting the argument that such devices can be permitted under necessity as a lesser harm, the paper proposes a comprehensive preventive policy grounded in blocking the means to harm (sadd al-dharāʾiʿ) alongside educational and community support measures.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
Islamic legal scholars, policymakers, researchers, and religious communities examining the societal and moral impacts of AI-driven companion technology.
What the document contains
The document addresses the legal, theological, and sociological implications of companion robots and artificial intimacy within Islamic legal philosophy, specifically analyzing how they undermine the purposes of marriage (nikāḥ) and proposing institutional bans and educational counter-measures.
Technical specifications of artificial intelligence algorithms, quantitative user surveys, and specific legislative draft texts.
- Advanced artificial intimacy devices pose an existential challenge to the foundational structure of Islamic marriage and legal principles.
- Companion robots act as a form of 'Digital Badal' (substitution) that replaces human effort and responsibility, eroding essential virtues like mercy and patience.
- Applying the doctrine of necessity (ḍarūrah) to permit sex robots as a lesser harm represents a legal misdiagnosis because it ignores broader systemic harm.
- Muslim states should impose a complete ban on the manufacture, importation, and sale of advanced artificial-intimacy devices under Islamic public policy (siyāsah sharʿiyyah).
- Communities must cultivate educational campaigns and social safety nets that restore the value of human relationships and reduce loneliness.
· Introduction · Literature Review · Methodology · Results and Discussion · Recommendations for a Preventive Defence Against Digital Badal · Conclusion
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Accountability
2/5Clear responsibility for AI outcomes
To transfer intimacy, responsibility and relational accountability to a non-sentient machine is therefore to abdicate that trust
Introduction
screening score · 2026-10-23
Fairness
0/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Dignity
3/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
Contemporary juristic analyses generally prohibit artificial intimacy on the grounds of its association with fornication, obscenity and the dignity owed to the human person
Introduction
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Oversight
2/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
When a Muslim places a programmed synthetic partner in the position of a human one, the harm is not exhausted by the sin committed
Introduction
screening score · 2026-10-23
Privacy
0/5Protection of personal data and private life
screening score · 2026-10-23
Transparency
0/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
screening score · 2026-10-23
Enforcement
4/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
Enforcement should include discretionary penalties ( taʿzīr), ranging from significant financial fines to imprisonment for corporate entities and repeat individual offenders
Conclusion
screening score · 2026-10-23
Impact Assessment
3/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
a comprehensive response is therefore necessary, grounded in the preventive doctrine of sadd al-dharāʾiʿ (blocking the means to harm)
ABSTRACT
screening score · 2026-10-23