Is It Permissible to Use an AI-Generated Male Voice to Promote Halal Products Without Music?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Does creating or using an AI male voice to promote halal products count as imitating Allah’s creation, even though the voice is not real?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Especially Merciful. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
Using AI voices to create or promote lawful products is lawful according to Sacred Law, provided the content remains within the bounds of Sacred Law. It must be free from unlawful elements such as lies and music. Still, an AI voice, no matter how accurate, will never be as beautiful as the human voice.
Imitation of Allah’s Creation
The prohibition against “imitating the creation of Allah” applies to drawing/painting animate beings in form or image. For example, sculpting or animating human or animal figures with full features. An AI voice does not fall into this category because it does not represent a living soul or claim the ability to “create”, and Allah knows best. It is merely the digital arrangement of sounds, somewhat similar to microphones, loudspeakers, or synthesizers.
Allah Most High says: “He is the One Who created everything in the earth for you.” [Quran, 2:29]
Accordingly, using what He has created for the benefit of creation, such as education, proselytization, or lawful marketing, is permissible and praiseworthy if done with a positive intention (niyya).
Guidelines for Permissible Use
- The material should contain lawful content.
- It should not imitate or misrepresent real individuals in a deceitful way.
- It must avoid music, suggestive tones, or anything incongruent with Sacred Law
So long as these conditions are fulfilled, there is no harm in using an AI voice as a professional or creative tool. It is not considered an imitation of Allah’s creation, nor is it sinful in itself.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town. He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
