Q: My question is regarding the recent advancements in the computing world in “Artificial Intelligence”, specifically around Generative AI. Generative AI algorithms have advanced the field significantly where we can now generate text and media that is virtually indistinguishable from one created by humans. The AI is trained on large datasets of existing text and media. There are a growing number of software services offering these capabilities to businesses and consumers. While many of the use-cases are likely permissible when it comes to text generation, a growing number of impermissible applications will likely become available to the masses soon. 

I will list some of the applications: 

- generating audio: will allow generating any type of audio using any voice. Could be Quran-like verses from a renowned Qari, a fake conversation/dialog between public figures, or songs and music. Since these are generated by computer, the voice could be the emulation of a person who was not involved at all. Audio generation has quite a lot of harmful applications which could mislead people, given that it is human nature to trust voiceprints. 

- generating text: enables consumers to generate prose in any style desired. Innocent applications are where we can use it to author content, summarize content, explain content, etc. The prose generated could be the emulation of anyone we desire. Therefore, harmful content could be something like generating fake verses of Quran, fake hadith, and worse. 

- generating images/videos: enables users to generate images/videos just by providing a text prompt describing the scene/image desired in the output image/video. It may generate fake images, sow distrust, and increase immodesty significantly. 

Note that all these generations are possible by a variety of input to the application (text-based prompts, image-/video-based prompts, sound-based, etc.). 

I have some questions regarding the generation of content that would have been deemed impermissible if generated by a human: 

1) Do the rulings of digital photography extend to photos generated by a computer through Artificial Intelligence? i.e. if one believes that capturing/drawing photos by hand or through camera is haram, should that belief carryover to computer-generated media? It seems like there’s a nuance here in who’s generating the content — human vs computer. Does that change the Sharee’e rulings of digital photography? 

2) There’s a hukm regarding the purdah of a woman’s voice when speaking to a non-mahram, even when separated by a door/wall. Women are supposed to use harsher tones in those situations. Regarding generated audio, would the Sharee’e ruling of purdah apply here too? For example, if a female-emulated computer-generated voice is used in a maps navigation program, would that violate the principle of Purdah? 

3) Until now, if anyone wanted to photograph me, they would require my presence. With the new technology, it may be possible to generate a person’s face that looks very close to mine. Would it be my responsibility to make sure nobody generates my image? 

Q: Is it permissible in Islam to wish someone well on their anniversary?

Also, what about cutting the cake in the presence of close family members? Is this permissible?

Q: What is the ruling on the consumption of: 

a) Lab grown meat (chicken, beef etc.) 
b) Plant-based meat 
c) Plant-based meat with flavours different meats/flesh (a plant-based company named Oumph! developed a burger that tastes like human flesh)

Q: There are some specific prescribed Zikr by the Ulema and Mashaykh which are called "Wazifa". These are certain Azkaar of reading a Dua, or Ayah of Quran or the names of Allah for a specific number of times in order to achieve something. 

My question is that, do we have evidences from the Quran, Sunnah and the practice of the Salaf on practicing these prescribed Azkaar? Can you please list them in detail with references.

Q: I've got two sons. They're toddlers. 

My elder son received alot of money as a gift when he was a baby while the second one didn't receive as much. I was thinking of converting their cash to gold. Will it be okay for me to give money to add only to the younger one so I can get the same amount of gold for each child or will it be unfair to the older child? 

We will not inform them of this when they are older.

Q: How to deal with people who lie about you, tarnish your image, hurt you and deprived you of your basic rights. They constantly taunt you and pick faults in you? How to stay firm in faith when you see a liar and deceptive people to be successful in life while truthful and honest ones suffer? 

Is continuously praising oneself and thinking low of others permissible in Islam?

Q: I have recently heard of a new venture many of our Muslims are going into, it is the trading of gold on the forex market. I wanted to find out if it is permissible and if so then how, as no physical exchange of ownership takes place, and also if you own an item although it can depreciate in value it won't cease to exist as is what happens on this gold market.

Q: Is it permissible in Islam to release a fish after having caught it?

Q: I terminated my pregnancy in 6 months and this is murder. Is there any kaffara or diyat? Kindly guide me what can I do.

Q: My hair is very thin, especially my beard hair. If I make wudhu and do khilaal, then sometimes, few hairs fall off. 

I'm planning to do umrah inshallah. My question is that if I am in the state of ihraam and hair falls off accidentally while making wudhu etc., not on purpose, then will there be damm or anything necessary?