The Meaning of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Utilization in Business: A Phenomenological Study from the Perspective of Muslim Entrepreneurs in Indonesia
Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, Islamic Business Ethics, Islamic Perspective
Abstract
Background: The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought significant changes to the business world, including among Muslim entrepreneurs. However, this advancement raises questions about how such technology can be utilized without neglecting Islamic values. This study aims to understand how Muslim entrepreneurs interpret spiritual values, apply Islamic ethics, and perceive the economic and efficiency functions of AI usage.
Method: A qualitative method with a phenomenological approach was employed to explore the experiences of Muslim entrepreneurs in Indonesia, selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using NVivo software.
Results: The findings reveal that the meaning of AI usage encompasses five core values: tawhid (monotheism), amanah (trustworthiness), sharia compliance, efficiency, and gratitude. The application of Islamic ethics is reflected in honesty, justice, social responsibility, trust, and ihsan (excellence) in the utilization of technology. The interpretation of AI’s economic and efficiency functions is viewed as part of human effort (ikhtiar) to enhance productivity and competitiveness while maintaining spiritual balance and social welfare.
Conclusion: The implications of this study highlight the potential for developing AI usage guidelines that align with Islamic ethics, ensuring efficiency and competitiveness while upholding justice and social responsibility.
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Wazin, W., Patimah, S., Ansori, A., & Wasehudin. (2025). Optimizing AI Technology in Assessing Islamic Financing Risks: A SWOT Analysis of Challenges and Opportunities from an Islamic Legal Perspective (Fiqh). Al-Istinbath: Jurnal Hukum Islam, 10(1), 172–193. https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v10i1.11941
Yaşar, T. (2024). Artificial Intelligence in Business Operations: Exploring How AI Technologies Are Reshaping Processes, Enhancing Decision-Making, and Driving Efficiency Across Various Industries. Human Computer Interaction, 8(1), 53. https://doi.org/10.62802/r78f9a37
Zhou, S., Wei, L., Hua, W., He, X., & Chen, J. (2022). A qualitative study of phenomenology of perspectives of student nurses: Experience of death in clinical practice. BMC Nursing, 21(1), 21–74. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-022-00846-w
Afroogh, S., Akbari, A., Malone, E., Kargar, M., & Alambeigi, H. (2024). Trust in AI: Progress, Challenges, and Future Directions. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 1568. https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2403.14680
Ahmed, S., Sumi, A. A., & Aziz, N. A. (2024). Exploring Multi-Religious Perspective of Artificial Intelligence. Theology and Science, 23(1), 104–128. https://doi.org/10.1080/14746700.2024.2436783
Alhazmi, A., & Kaufmann, A. (2022). Phenomenological Qualitative Methods Applied to the Analysis of Cross-Cultural Experience in Novel Educational Social Contexts. Frontiers in Psychology, 13(07), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.785134
Alizadeh Emamzadeh, M. R. (2020). Analysis of economic convergence of Islamic justice in selected Islamic countries. Journal of Economic Structures, 9(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40008-020-00191-8
Arsyad, I., Kharisma, D. B., & Wiwoho, J. (2025). Artificial intelligence and Islamic finance industry: Problems and oversight. International Journal of Law and Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijlma-07-2024-0236
Ashok, M., Madan, R., Joha, A., & Sivarajah, U. (2022). Ethical framework for Artificial Intelligence and Digital technologies. International Journal of Information Management, 62(1), 102433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102433
Ateeq, K., Oswal, N., Jawabri, A., Masaeid, T. F. A., Alquqa, E., Basha, S. E., & Alami, R. (2025). The Transformative Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Organisational Behaviour (OB): A Study of Employee Engagement, Performance, and Ethical Implications. Journal of Posthumanism, 5(4), 1245–1256. https://doi.org/10.63332/joph.v5i4.1221
Auladi, G. A., & Muwahid, F. (2025). Cybersecurity and Moral Responsibility: A Philosophical-Islamic Approach to Digital Trust. TechComp Innovations: Journal of Computer Science and Technology, 2(1), 53–65. https://doi.org/10.70063/techcompinnovations.v2i1.93
Bakar, A. Z. A., Nabghan, W., Elhaei, M., Khassim, Z. A., Mustafa, W. A., & Aziz, N. H. A. (2024). Comprehensive Review on Islamic Ethics and the Rise of Technology. Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology, 51(1), 184–194. https://doi.org/10.37934/araset.51.1.184194
Elmahjub, E. (2023). Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Islamic Ethics: Towards Pluralist Ethical Benchmarking for AI. Philosophy & Technology, 36(73), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-023-00668-x
Erdmann, A., & Potthoff, S. (2023). Decision Criteria for the Ethically Reflected Choice of a Member Check Method in Qualitative Research: A Proposal for Discussion. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22(01), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231177664
Ghaly, M. (2023). What Makes Work “Good” in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Islamic Perspectives on AI-Mediated Work Ethics. The Journal of Ethics, 28(1), 429–453. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10892-023-09456-3
Gorian, E., & Osman, N. D. (2024). Digital Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (ai) in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Malaysian Journal of Syariah and Law, 12(03), 583–597. https://doi.org/10.33102/mjsl.vol12no3.798
Huang, C., Zhang, Z., Mao, B., & Yao, X. (2023). An Overview of Artificial Intelligence Ethics. IEEE Transactions on Artificial Intelligence, 4(1), 799–819. https://doi.org/10.1109/tai.2022.3194503
J, H. (2025). Artificial Intelligence and Its Role in Driving Organisational Efficiency in the IT Sector. Power System Technology, 49(02), 1908–1919. https://doi.org/10.52783/pst.1973
Kaas, M. H. L. (2024). The perfect technological storm: Artificial intelligence and moral complacency. Ethics and Information Technology, 26(49), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-024-09788-0
Kelley, S. (2022). Employee Perceptions of the Effective Adoption of AI Principles. Journal of Business Ethics, 178(01), 871–893. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-022-05051-y
Kieslich, K., Keller, B., & Starke, C. (2021). Artificial intelligence ethics by design. Evaluating public perception on the importance of ethical design principles of artificial intelligence. Big Data & Society, 9(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/20539517221092956
Kim, M. (2023). Connecting artificial intelligence to value creation in services: Mechanism and implications. Service Business, 17(01), 851–878. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11628-023-00547-7
Kosasih, E., Islamy, M. R. F., & Wiwaha, R. S. (2024). Artificial Intelligence in the Era of Society 5.0: Compromising Technological Innovation Through theWasathiyyah Approach within the Framework of Islamic Law. Al-Istinbath: Jurnal Hukum Islam, 09(02), 551–572. https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v9i2.9596
Kubaisi, A. A. S. H. A. (2024). Ethics of Artificial Intelligence a Purposeful and Foundational Study in Light of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. Religions, 15(11), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15111300
Lee, M. C. M., Scheepers, H., Lui, A. K. H., & Ngai, E. (2023). The implementation of artificial intelligence in organizations: A systematic literature review. Inf. Manag., 60(15), 103816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2023.103816
Liu, R., & Wang, Y. (2025). Enhancing Enterprise Value Creation Through Intelligent Digital Transformation of the Value Chain: A Deep Learning and Edge Computing Approach. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 16(01), 2601–2619. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-024-02087-5
Lubis, M. (2024). Integrating Artificial Intelligence and Maqāṣid al-Syarī‘ah: Revolutionizing Indonesia’s Sharia Online Trading System. Computer Fraud and Security, 2024(11), 301–309. https://doi.org/10.52710/cfs.238
Lyngsøe, M., & Stjernholm, S. (2022). Nearness to God: Danish Muslims and Taqwa-infused faith frames. Contemporary Islam, 16(01), 173–191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11562-022-00498-2
Magnone, K. Q., & Yezierski, E. J. (2024). Beyond Convenience: A Case and Method for Purposive Sampling in Chemistry Teacher Professional Development Research. Journal of Chemical Education, 101(03), 718–726. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00217
Neiroukh, S., Emeagwali, O. L., & Aljuhmani, H. Y. (2024). Artificial intelligence capability and organizational performance: Unraveling the mediating mechanisms of decision-making processes. Management Decision, 2024(01), 16–30. https://doi.org/10.1108/md-10-2023-1946
Papaioannou, T. (2021). The Idea of Justice in Innovation: Applying Non-Ideal Political Theory to Address Questions of Sustainable Public Policy in Emerging Technologies. Sustainability, 13(05), 01–15. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052655
Prakoso, A., Triyuwono, I., Purwanti, L., & Roekhudin, R. (2023). How should intellectual capital development? An islamic religious perspective. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 8(5), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.26668/businessreview/2023.v8i5.1819
Prasanth, A., Vadakkan, D. J., Surendran, P., & Thomas, B. (2023). Role of Artificial Intelligence and Business Decision Making. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 14(06), 965–969. https://doi.org/10.14569/ijacsa.2023.01406103
Rodríguez, N. D., Ser, J., Coeckelbergh, M., Prado, M. L. de, Herrera-Viedma, E., & Herrera, F. (2023). Connecting the Dots in Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: From AI Principles, Ethics, and Key Requirements to Responsible AI Systems and Regulation. Inf. Fusion, 99(101896), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.2305.02231
Shamdi, W., Lai, D., Aziz, A. A., & Anshari, M. F. (2022). Artificial intelligence development in Islamic System of Governance: A literature review. Contemporary Islam, 16, 321–334. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11562-022-00504-7
Sitiris, M., & Busari, S. (2024). The Legal Capacity (al-Ahliyyah) of Artificial Intelligence from an Islamic Jurisprudential Perspective. Malaysian Journal of Syariah and Law, 12(1), 31–42. https://doi.org/10.33102/mjsl.vol12no1.453
Sofyan, A. S., Rusanti, E., Nurmiati, N., Sofyan, S., Kurniawan, R., & Caraka, R. (2024). Islam in business ethics research: A bibliometric analysis and future research agenda. International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 2(58), 1–33. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijoes-02-2024-0058
Telkamp, J. B., & Anderson, M. H. (2022). The Implications of Diverse Human Moral Foundations for Assessing the Ethicality of Artificial Intelligence. Journal of Business Ethics, 178(5), 961–976. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-022-05057-6
Vignato, J., Inman, M., Patsais, M., & Conley, V. (2021). Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software, Phenomenology, and Colaizzi’s Method. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 44(12), 1117–1123. https://doi.org/10.1177/01939459211030335
Wazin, W., Patimah, S., Ansori, A., & Wasehudin. (2025). Optimizing AI Technology in Assessing Islamic Financing Risks: A SWOT Analysis of Challenges and Opportunities from an Islamic Legal Perspective (Fiqh). Al-Istinbath: Jurnal Hukum Islam, 10(1), 172–193. https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v10i1.11941
Yaşar, T. (2024). Artificial Intelligence in Business Operations: Exploring How AI Technologies Are Reshaping Processes, Enhancing Decision-Making, and Driving Efficiency Across Various Industries. Human Computer Interaction, 8(1), 53. https://doi.org/10.62802/r78f9a37
Zhou, S., Wei, L., Hua, W., He, X., & Chen, J. (2022). A qualitative study of phenomenology of perspectives of student nurses: Experience of death in clinical practice. BMC Nursing, 21(1), 21–74. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-022-00846-w
Published
2026-06-08
How to Cite
Putra, P., Sudana, S., & Rahayu, S. S. (2026). The Meaning of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Utilization in Business: A Phenomenological Study from the Perspective of Muslim Entrepreneurs in Indonesia. Sharia Economic and Management Business Journal (SEMBJ), 7(2), 64-76. https://doi.org/10.62159/sembj.v7i2.2028
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Copyright (c) 2026 Purnama Putra, Sudana Sudana, Solihah Sari Rahayu
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