An Islamic Framework for Responsible and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence
NAAF is an Islamic ethical self-examination framework designed to help individuals assess whether their use of Artificial Intelligence is responsible, honest, intellectually accountable and consistent with Islamic ethical principles.
It does not merely ask whether AI use is technically possible or legally permissible. It encourages the user to examine why AI is being used, whether its use is genuinely necessary, whether human responsibility is being retained, whether its outputs have been verified, and whether the resulting work can be honestly defended before Allah.
Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike Morufu
Each gate is a pause. At every stage, the answer is YES, UNCERTAIN or NO — and the framework responds accordingly.
Why am I using AI?
Niyyah (intention) provides the moral starting point for human action.
Warning sign
“I am using AI because it allows me to obtain the result without doing work that I am actually responsible for doing.”
Do I genuinely need it, or am I merely avoiding effort?
Islam values responsible effort, diligence and fulfilment of obligations.
Warning sign
“AI is doing this mainly because I do not want to make the effort myself.”
What legitimate human or scholarly sources are available?
Knowledge carries responsibility. AI should not automatically replace qualified scholarship or primary sources.
Warning sign
“I am accepting the AI answer even though I know I should consult the original or authoritative source.”
Am I retaining intellectual responsibility for the work?
Human accountability remains central. Delegating a task to AI does not necessarily delegate the ethical responsibility.
Warning sign
“I do not fully understand or stand behind this work, but I intend to present it as my own.”
Have I checked what AI has given me?
Responsible use of information requires care concerning truthfulness, accuracy and reliability.
Warning sign
“I have not checked it, but I intend to present it as factual.”
Would my use create a misleading impression if undisclosed?
Transparency protects trust and reduces the risk of deception or misrepresentation.
Warning sign
“If people knew how much AI contributed, they would understand my work differently.”
Can I honestly stand behind this work before Allah?
Amānah (trustworthiness/trust) represents the culmination of the framework.
Warning sign
“I would not be comfortable explaining my use of AI before Allah.”
Gate 1
Niyyah
Gate 2
Need
Gate 3
Alternative
Gate 4
Responsibility
Gate 5
Verification
Gate 6
Transparency
Gate 7
Amānah
YES
Proceed to the next gate.
UNCERTAIN
Pause, investigate, consult or modify.
NO
Stop, reconsider or change the use of AI.
The framework functions as an ethical pause mechanism rather than simply a scoring instrument.
Green
The user has a legitimate purpose, retains responsibility, verifies relevant information and does not create a misleading impression. Proceed, while maintaining appropriate human judgement.
Amber
There is uncertainty about necessity, authorship, verification, disclosure or responsibility. Pause. Investigate, verify, consult an appropriate source or modify the use of AI.
Red
The user intends to deceive, misrepresent authorship, avoid a responsibility that should be performed personally, knowingly present unverified false information, or otherwise use AI inconsistently with responsible conduct. Do not proceed in the current form.
AI may assist the human being, but it does not replace the human being's moral responsibility.
The framework distinguishes between AI assistance and AI substitution of responsibility. The more consequential the task, the greater the need for human judgement, verification, accountability and transparency.
NAAF is intended as an ethical reflection and governance framework, not as a substitute for qualified Islamic legal advice, institutional policy or applicable law.
Before using AI, examine your Niyyah; establish your Need; consider legitimate Alternatives; retain Responsibility; perform Verification; practise appropriate Transparency; and finally ask whether your use constitutes an Amānah you can honestly stand behind before Allah.
Use the interactive self-assessment to walk through the seven gates for a specific AI-assisted task. It takes under five minutes and produces a Green, Amber or Red response with practical next steps.
Abdul-Azeez, O. M. (2026). Niyyah–Amānah AI Ethics Framework (NAAF): An Islamic framework for responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence. The Onike Framework. https://onikeframework.org/naaf#the-seven-gates
The Onike Framework™ is committed to continuous learning, evidence-based improvement, and collaborative knowledge creation. Your feedback, professional experience, and constructive recommendations are invaluable in refining our frameworks and expanding their global relevance.
