Are you going to repeat this 500-year-old mistake? 🤖

29th Shawwal 1446H

Assalamu'alaikum,

In the middle of the 15th century, Gutenberg unveiled his revolutionary printing press in Europe. This invention would transform how knowledge spread across the continent, accelerating learning and democratizing information in unprecedented ways.

Meanwhile, in the Ottoman empire—then at the height of its power and cultural influence—a fascinating decision was made. The Ottomans banned the printing press for nearly 300 years, with the first Ottoman printing house only established in 1727.

During our Barakah & AI webinar last weekend, I shared this historical parallel because I see striking similarities to our current hesitations about artificial intelligence.

The Ottoman scholars and leaders had what seemed like legitimate concerns:

1. Religious purity: "How can a machine print sacred texts like the Quran? This seems disrespectful!"

2. Economic disruption: "What will happen to the thousands of scribes, calligraphers, and artists who make their living copying texts by hand?"

3. Information control: "What if this technology spreads misinformation and destabilizes society?"

4. Cultural standards: "How will this machine affect our high standards of beauty and ihsaan (excellence) that we value in our books?"

These weren't irrational fears. They were thoughtful concerns from people trying to protect their values and way of life. But instead of developing frameworks to address these concerns while adapting the technology, they chose prohibition.

The consequences? While Europe experienced an explosion of literacy, scientific advancement, and educational progress, the Ottoman Empire gradually fell behind—a decline that historians partially attribute to this technological hesitation.

History Repeating Itself?

Today, I hear similar concerns about AI:

• If AI does all our thinking, will we become intellectually lazy?"

• There's no 'soul' in AI outputs—it's better to avoid it altogether."

• What about privacy issues and data security?"

• What will happen to our children's education and creativity?"

These are valid questions. But what if we're at risk of repeating the same mistake?

It's tough - and honestly, no one knows the long-term effect of this technology when it's first introduced. Just like the Ottomans didn't know the long-term effect of banning the printing press on their decline. 

The Barakah Culture Approach to Technology

We have an option - either we engage with AI with the right mindsets, values, and behaviors, OR we ignore it completely, much to our peril.

Rather than being overwhelmed by the technology OR fearing the technology, we need to recognize that AI is a tool (not our master) and we need to use this tool if it's beneficial for us in our journey towards Allah SWT.

Imagine if the Ottoman society had approached the printing press from this perspective. They might have preserved their calligraphic traditions for special manuscripts while using the press for wider knowledge dissemination.

During the webinar, I shared a practical framework for how we can engage with AI using the Barakah Culture manifesto. This approach focuses on three key principles:

1. Intentionality (Niyyah)

Ask yourself: Why am I using this technology? What purpose will it serve? Is my intention aligned with what pleases Allah SWT?

2. Excellence (Ihsaan)

Consider: Am I using this technology in the best possible way? Does my use of AI reflect the excellence that Allah expects from me? Am I submitting my best work?

3. Effort (Juhd)

Remember: The process matters, not just the outcome. AI should augment our capabilities, not replace the human struggle that builds character and deepens understanding.

One webinar participant beautifully applied these principles to their work in mental health and AI, noting:

Moving Forward with Hikmah (Wisdom)

The Barakah Culture framework isn't just about how we approach technology—it's about how we approach life itself. When we lead with sincere intentions, commit to excellence, and embrace the necessary effort, we transform our relationship with tools like AI from one of fear to one of purposeful mastery.

If you missed the webinar and want to explore these ideas further, you can watch the recording here:

I would love to hear your thoughts on this framework. How are you approaching AI in your work or personal life? What concerns or opportunities do you see?

And if you're interested in diving deeper into the Barakah Culture approach to life, work, and technology, I'm excited to share that Cohort 2 of our Barakah Effect program is starting soon. This is your opportunity to transform how you approach not just technology, but every aspect of your life with intentionality, excellence, and meaningful effort.

May Allah SWT grant us the wisdom to embrace beneficial innovations while staying true to our values and purpose. Ameen.

Sincerely,

P.S. The printing press eventually did make its way into the Muslim world, but only after centuries of resistance. Let's not wait centuries to develop a meaningful, principled approach to AI. The time to engage is now. Learn how here.