various domains, including healthcare, education, information technology, and the social sciences. However,

these advancements also raise serious ethical concerns, such as the risks of plagiarism, data manipulation,

algorithmic bias, and privacy intrusion. In this regard, the present study aims to develop an ethical research

framework grounded in the values of the Sunnah to guide researchers in addressing the challenges of scholarly

inquiry in the age of AI. This study employs a qualitative approach through document analysis, drawing on two

primary sources: religious texts, such as the Prophetic traditions (hadith) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon

him) concerning honesty, trustworthiness, itqan (diligence), ihsan (excellence), and tabayyun (verification) as

well as academic writings that examine Islamic ethics and research integrity. The data were thematically analyzed

to identify how the values of the Sunnah can be applied as ethical guidelines in AI-driven research. The findings

indicate that the incorporation of Sunnah-based values such as transparency, verification (tabayyun), diligence

The era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has ushered in significant transformations within the landscape of modern

research, spanning the social sciences, natural sciences, medicine, education, and information technology. The

ability of AI to mimic human cognitive functions such as learning, problem-solving, and pattern recognition

makes it a powerful tool for processing large-scale and complex datasets (Dong et al., 2020). In the healthcare

domain, for instance, AI has been deployed for disease diagnosis, treatment outcome prediction, health record

management, and clinical decision support (Wang, 2017). Such applications enhance the efficiency of healthcare

delivery, reduce costs, and accelerate treatment processes (Wang, 2017). In education, AI functions as a virtual

tutor that adapts to individual learning styles and needs, offering continuous access without time limitations while

reducing students’ fear or hesitation to ask questions (Hemachandran, 2022). Within research contexts, AI

technologies expedite data analysis, improve data accuracy, and open new avenues of discovery across multiple

experiences such as socialization and character formation (Hemachandran, 2022). Dwivedi et al (2021) further

explain that while AI promises productivity and innovation, it also raises concerns regarding workforce

displacement, global inequality, and broader socio-cultural implications. In addition, AI introduces various ethical

dilemmas in research, including data misuse, excessive dependency, and the generation of fabricated content. The

capacity of AI to provide information indiscriminately, without filtering between beneficial and harmful

knowledge, heightens the risk of misuse (Hemachandran, 2022). Compounding this issue, the emergence of AI-

generated content challenges conventional plagiarism detection methods, which struggle to identify complex

According to al-Attas (1980), the ultimate purpose of knowledge is to cultivate adab a state in which a person

acknowledges Allah SWT as Lord (al-Rabb), rather than merely fulfilling material needs or academic pursuits.

as the foundation for constructing an ethical research framework that can assist researchers in navigating the

This study adopts a qualitative approach in the form of document analysis. Data were collected from two primary

sources: religious texts, specifically the Prophetic traditions (hadith) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

that emphasize values such as transparency, verification (tabayyun), diligence (itqan), and excellence (ihsan), as

well as academic writings related to Islamic ethics, academic integrity, and the application of Islamic values in

research. The collected data were analyzed using thematic content analysis to examine how Sunnah-based values

can be applied in addressing the challenges of research in the AI era. These values were subsequently synthesized

necessitating the establishment of clear ethical guidelines (Adarkwah et al, 2023). Similarly, Zou & Schiebinger

(2018) highlight the substantial risks posed by AI, particularly in relation to data and algorithmic bias,

unconscious manipulation of data, and the lack of adequate checks and balances all of which may result in more

severe forms of discrimination. While AI accelerates the generation of knowledge, it simultaneously heightens

risks such as plagiarism, data manipulation, and insufficient oversight (Zou & Schiebinger, 2018). Moreover,

moral accountability becomes increasingly ambiguous when AI systems generate false or misleading information

(Jobin, Ienca, & Vayena, 2019). Hence, the need for robust ethical frameworks to regulate AI’s role in research

has become critical. In this regard, Elmahjub (2023) emphasizes that Islamic ethics are essential in providing

Islamic ethics must therefore be offered to complement these shortcomings, thereby establishing a more robust,

balanced, and contextually relevant framework for contemporary application (al-Aidaros et al, 2013). Mufid

(2024) further emphasizes that the Prophetic tradition (Sunnah) may serve as a moral foundation for AI

development, particularly in addressing ethical challenges and human AI interactions. Within the realm of

research, Al-Kubaisi (2024) underscores that research ethics and AI development must be grounded in the Sunnah

as a legitimate framework. Moreover, Sunnah-based ethics should be integrated into AI research to ensure that

moral values such as justice, trustworthiness, honesty, compassion, and human dignity are embedded in the design

and use of AI technologies (Mufid, 2024). This study highlights four key Sunnah values that should be

emphasized within the context of research in the AI era; transparency, verification (tabayyun), diligence (itqan),

righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise” (al-Bukhari & Muslim). In a broader sense, transparency is

critically relevant when AI is used to manage personal data, as breaches of privacy and the exploitation of personal

Verification refers to the act of investigating and ensuring the truth of information or claims. In research, verifying

the authenticity and validity of data is paramount. Veluru (2024) highlights the role of explainable AI (XAI) in

ensuring that AI driven decisions are interpretable and verifiable, thereby avoiding bias and misinterpretation.

Cornelio et al (2025) also emphasize that verification is central to the credibility of AI-based research, ensuring

that findings remain testable and trustworthy. More importantly, verification preserves both research integrity and

public trust (Cornelio et al, 2025). This value resonates with the Prophetic tradition: “It is enough of a lie for a

person to narrate everything he hears” (Muslim). Accordingly, data obtained through AI must be subjected to

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described ihsan as: “…to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if

you do not achieve this state of devotion, then (know that) Allah sees you” (Muslim). Ihsan cultivates

selfawareness and consciousness that Allah is ever-watchful, even in the absence of human scrutiny. This value

prevents researchers from misusing AI technologies for personal gain, encouraging responsibility and moral

excellence. Ahmad and Khadim (2025) highlight that ihsan motivates a Muslim not merely to fulfill obligations,

within AI frameworks can actively contribute to individual and societal well-being. In research contexts, ihsan

safeguards academic integrity, methodological rigor, and the orientation toward beneficial outcomes. Thus,

research becomes not only a technical pursuit but also a morally grounded endeavor within the ethical framework