AI in Halal Certification: Revolution or a Risk We Cannot Afford?

Imagine walking through the aisles of your favorite supermarket. You reach for a product, glance at the packaging, and spot that familiar Halal certification mark. It is a symbol of trust, a silent assurance that someone—a trained expert, a religious scholar, an auditor—has ensured that everything in that product aligns with your faith.

But what if that stamp of approval did not come from a human being? What if, instead of scholars reviewing supply chains and auditors verifying ingredients, an algorithm made the decision?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making its way into Halal certification, and the conversation around it is growing louder. Some see it as the future, a way to eliminate inefficiencies, detect fraud, and bring more consistency to Halal compliance. Others see something different—an unknown force creeping into an industry built on human trust and religious accountability.

This is not just about technology. This is about who we trust with something as sacred as Halal.

AI Can Do Many Things—But Can It Understand Halal?

There is no denying that AI is powerful. It can process more data in minutes than a human could in weeks. It does not get tired, does not take bribes, and does not make emotional decisions. That sounds like an ideal certification tool, does it not?

AI can scan supply chains with machine-like precision, flag inconsistencies, and verify whether an ingredient meets compliance standards. It can analyze documents, detect fraud, and bring a level of speed and efficiency that the current system struggles with.

But here is the real question—can AI truly understand Halal?

Halal certification is not just a technical checklist. It is a matter of religious integrity. It is about ensuring that a product is pure, ethical, and compliant with Islamic law. Scholars do not just approve ingredients; they analyze their origins, their transformation, and their ethical implications. They debate rulings, engage in scholarly discourse, and weigh religious principles against scientific advancements.

AI does none of that.

It does not understand niyyah (intention). It does not grasp ijtihad (scholarly reasoning). It does not pause and reflect on whether an ingredient, though chemically identical to something permissible, may still be problematic from an ethical standpoint. AI does what it is programmed to do, no more, no less.

And that is where things get complicated.

The Hidden Risks of Handing Halal Certification to AI

There is an assumption that AI is neutral. That it will be fair, accurate, and immune to the flaws of human decision-making. But let us not be naive. AI is only as good as the data it is trained on, and if that data is flawed, so is the AI.

Think about it—who decides what data goes into these systems? Who ensures that AI understands the nuances of Halal certification the way scholars do? If an AI system is trained on outdated, incomplete, or biased information, it will make mistakes. And when it does, who will be responsible?

AI failures are already well-documented in other industries. In law enforcement, AI-driven tools have made incorrect criminal risk assessments. In healthcare, AI-powered diagnoses have overlooked critical symptoms. In finance, AI trading algorithms have triggered massive market crashes.

Now, imagine an AI system making a wrong Halal certification decision. Imagine it mistakenly approving a product that should not be Halal. Or rejecting a product that is completely permissible.

Who takes accountability for that? The company that built the AI? The regulators who approved it? The businesses that trusted it? Or the consumers who unknowingly placed their faith in an algorithm?

The Power Shift No One Is Talking About

Here is another reality check—AI is not just about efficiency. It is about control.

Right now, Halal certification is governed by recognized bodies—government agencies, religious institutions, and scholars who have dedicated their lives to understanding and interpreting Islamic law. They set the standards, they make the rulings, and they bear the responsibility for the decisions they make.

But AI does not belong to them. AI is developed by private companies—corporations that may not share the same priorities as the Muslim community. If AI takes over Halal certification, who will truly be in charge? Will it be the regulators and scholars, or the technology firms building and maintaining these systems?

This is not speculation. It is already happening in other industries. Tech companies have used AI to reshape hiring practices, control news feeds, and even influence elections. AI is not just a tool—it is a gatekeeper. And if we are not careful, it will be the gatekeeper of Halal certification too.

The Balanced Approach: AI as an Assistant, Not an Authority

So, what is the answer? Should AI be banned from Halal certification? Not necessarily. Technology has always played a role in industry advancement, and AI can enhance the Halal certification process. But there is a right way to use it—and a wrong way.

• AI should assist, not replace. It can help detect fraud, streamline paperwork, and enhance supply chain tracking. But the final decision on Halal compliance must remain in human hands—specifically, in the hands of scholars and regulators who understand both Islamic law and the ethical responsibilities that come with it.
• Regulatory bodies must stay in control. AI should be a tool used by Halal authorities, not a system that takes away their authority. The moment private companies control AI-based Halal certification, we risk losing oversight of our own religious standards.
• Businesses must use AI responsibly. Companies should not see AI as a shortcut to faster certification. AI should enhance compliance, not dilute it. If businesses rely too heavily on AI, they must ensure that human experts are always there to verify its decisions.
• Consumers must stay informed. AI might make certification faster, but trust still belongs to the institutions that have upheld Halal integrity for centuries. If AI-based certification becomes widespread, consumers must demand transparency. How does the AI make its decisions? Who oversees it? Who is accountable if it gets something wrong?

Final Thought: Trust Is Built on Accountability, Not Just Efficiency

AI is coming to Halal certification, whether we are ready for it or not. It has the power to bring efficiency, speed, and transparency to an industry that serves billions of consumers worldwide. But it also comes with risks that cannot be ignored.

The future of Halal certification must strike a balance between innovation and accountability. AI can be a valuable tool, but it must never become the final authority. The trust consumers place in Halal certification has been built over generations, and that trust must be protected—because in Halal certification, accuracy is important, but accountability is everything.