✍🏽The Sacred Art of Writing Books (& how AI might change it)

15th Dhuʻl-Hijjah 1446H

Assalamu'alaikum,

Last week, on Arafat Day, I made wudhu, faced the Qibla, set my intentions, and picked up my pen to start writing the opening supplication of my next book insha'Allah.

I started this tradition with my previous book, the Barakah Effect, to fuse the Barakah of Arafat into the book and kick-start the long writing process.

While writing, I felt dual emotions: heaviness and honor.

The heaviness came from the responsibility of tackling another deep topic and trying to approach it sincerely for Allah's sake. There's something weighty about putting pen to paper and not knowing how the journey will unfold, what you'll learn, how it'll influence you and others, and if Allah will accept it or not.

The honor came from holding the pen and realizing that Allah SWT honored this tool in the Quran. He swore by the pen in Surat Al-Qalam, made it the first of His creation according to some narrations, and chose it to teach humanity "that which it knew not" (Surat Al-Alaq).

As I held my pen, I wondered: in an age where AI can write entire books in hours, what makes human writing uniquely valuable? And how do we honor the sacred act of writing while engaging with these powerful new tools?

This question isn't just interesting for me as an author; it strikes at the heart of what it means to be human.

The AI Writing Dilemma

Creativity is a gift from Allah and a sacred trust (Amanah). We need to make the best use of it and ensure we use the best tools to honor it.

Traditional writing tools amplify our capabilities. They make our thoughts flow faster onto paper or help us edit more efficiently. But AI doesn't just amplify; it can potentially replace core aspects of the thinking process.

When I ask Claude or ChatGPT to "write a chapter about gratitude in Islam," and give it some pointers, it doesn't just help me express my thoughts more clearly. It generates thoughts, structures arguments, makes up stories, and even selects which hadith or Quranic verse to include. The question becomes: whose creativity is this?

This isn't about being anti-technology. It's about understanding what we might lose of the divine gift of creativity if we outsource too much of our thinking to machines.

For example, neuroscientists show that writing by hand activates different brain parts than typing, leading to deeper idea processing and clear thinking. There's something irreplaceable about the slow, deliberate practice of forming thoughts through pen-on-paper movement. Nowadays, we want to skip writing by hand and typing, to go straight to AI outputs based on voice prompts! Something will be lost along the way.

In a recent podcast interview, a well-known author mentioned that the important part of writing his books wasn't the final manuscript but the struggle and his growth throughout that process. From an Islamic perspective, we talk about spiritual struggle (jihad al-nafs). Honestly, based on my personal experiences, I can tell you that writing is a struggle, especially when you try to write something beneficial for the Ummah. You not only need to fight your Nafs, but even Shaytaan tries to slow you down or stop you from writing. But this struggle isn't just an obstacle. It is where real spiritual growth happens and you don't want to lose that with AI.

What AI Can’t Replace

As I've wrestled with these questions, I've realized that there are aspects of writing that AI simply cannot replicate, no matter how sophisticated it becomes.

1. The Soul of Experience

When I wrote about my father's passing last year, every word came from raw grief and hard-won wisdom. AI can analyze patterns in millions of texts about grief, but it cannot grieve. 

Our experiences become the raw material for authentic writing.

2. The Weight of Intention (Niyyah)

Every time I sit down to write, I try to renew my intention. This niyyah isn't just a nice ritual; it transforms the writing process. 

AI cannot set sincere intentions.

3. The Gift of Spiritual Insight (Baseera)

But most importantly, AI will never access the spiritual insights Allah grants you when you sincerely seek answers from Him.

This divine insight - baseera - is about seeing connections and grasping truths that no data analysis can reveal.

AI can process millions of texts and identify patterns, but it cannot experience the moment of clarity when Allah opens your understanding to see something in a new light.

This spiritual insight transforms good writing into impactful writing. 

A Framework for AI and Writing Books

How do we engage with AI tools without losing our souls as writers?

I believe the answer lies in applying the same Barakah principles we use in life: intentionality, excellence (ihsaan), and meaningful effort.

Principle 1: Lead with Conscious Niyyah

Before opening any AI writing tool, pause and ask: "What is my intention?"

Are you using AI because you're genuinely stuck and need help brainstorming? That's different from using it because you're too lazy to think through a problem. Are you using it to help research and organize your thoughts? That's different from having it write your entire argument.

I've started treating AI interactions like conversations with a research assistant. The AI is helpful for gathering information and exploring angles, but I remain the author responsible for the final thoughts and their accuracy.

Principle 2: Maintain the Struggle

Remember, the difficulty of writing is a blessing. One of my favorite verses I remind myself of when struggling to write is the last verse in Surat Al-Ankabut, where Allah (SWT) says:

وَٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ 

“As for those who struggle in Our cause, We will surely guide them along Our Way. And Allah is certainly with the good-doers.” (Quran 29:69)

The frustration of finding the right metaphor and the pain of rewriting and editing is where growth happens.

Principle 3: Preserve Authenticity

Your voice, shaped by your unique experiences and struggles, is irreplaceable. AI can help you express that voice more clearly, but it cannot create that voice.

I always write my first draft by hand, without AI assistance, to ensure the core ideas and emotions come from me. Then, I might use AI for research, fact-checking, or suggesting alternative phrasings. But the piece's soul remains mine (like this one!).

These three principles have become my compass for navigating AI in my writing, but implementing them consistently is harder than it sounds.

The temptation to let AI do more thinking is real. The questions about where to draw the line keep evolving as the technology improves. I'm still learning what works and what compromises the authentic writing process.

That's why I want to explore this topic with you in my upcoming webinar next week:

How to Write a Book with AI — Without Losing Your Soul

Monday, 16 June 2025 at 9:00 pm US CST (see your local time)

In this webinar, I'll expand on these three principles and share:

• Examples of how I apply each principle in my writing process.

• How AI impacts the book publishing process: from idea to publication

• Questions every Muslim author should ask before using AI assistance

If these principles resonate with you, or if you're still unsure how to apply them, join me for a deeper exploration.

Whether we use pen and paper, typewriters, computers, or AI-assisted tools, what matters is that we approach our writing as an amanah - a trust from Allah that we must handle responsibly, sincerely, and wisely.

Our tools may evolve, but the responsibility remains the same: to use our words to benefit the Ummah and create something that will please Allah long after we're gone.

I hope you'll join me in this important conversation about preserving the soul of our writing in the age of AI.

Sincerely,

P.S. This webinar is part of our upcoming Book Writing Program starting soon. We're only accepting 35 participants per cohort for personalized attention. If you're serious about writing your first Islamic self-help book, we're taking consultation calls to see if the program is right for you. Book a call today to apply.