AI-Powered Legal Education and Practice: A Case Study of ChatGPT and the Islamic Law of Inheritance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53704/vepnsf05Keywords:
ChatGPT, Inheritance, Islamic Law, HeirsAbstract
This article explores the integration of ChatGPT into the study of the Islamic Law of Inheritance and its implications for legal education and practice. Although AI-powered tools like ChatGPT have the potential to revolutionize legal education and practice, their application in the context of Islamic Inheritance Law has been relatively unexplored. The research shows that while ChatGPT demonstrates a fair understanding of inheritance principles, it struggles to apply them accurately to cases and allocate shares consistently. Despite these limitations, ChatGPT proves to be a valuable tool in calculating and distributing estates when heirs are identified. Recommendations include further development, training, refinement of share allotment algorithms, addressing inconsistencies, and integrating ChatGPT with expert oversight. It concludes that failure to incorporate AI in legal education and practice is akin to ignoring reality a risky gamble for the future. Embracing AI is essential for navigating the complexities of inheritance in this digital age.
References
Sarker, I. H. (2022). AI-based modeling: Techniques, applications and research issues towards automation, intelligent and smart systems. SN Computer Science, February 10. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42979-022-01043-x (Accessed 11 August 2025).
Wisskirchen, G. et al. (2017). Artificial intelligence and robotics and their impact on the workplace. IBA Global Employment Institute Artificial. p. 10.
Roux-Kemp, A. L. (2021). A policy agenda for legal education and training and the Fourth Industrial Revolution: The case of England and Wales. Journal of Law, Technology and Trust, June 28. Available at: https://doi.org/10.19164/jltt.v2i1.1004 (Accessed 6 October 2023).
Valery, J. P. (2017). Fathers of robotics: Ismail Al-Jazari. Science, Robot Ethics, 12 June. Available at: https://www.robotshop.com/community/blog/show/fathers-of-robotics-ismail-al-jazari (Accessed 6 March 2024).
Naveed, H. et al. (2023). A comprehensive overview of large language models. Available at: https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.06435 (Accessed 23 February 2024).
See OpenAI. ChatGPT. Available at: https://openai.com/chatgpt (Accessed 23 February 2024).
Olubiyi, I. et al. (2015). The role of technology in the advancement of legal education and practice in Nigeria. Afe Babalola University Law Journal, 1, p. 2.
Wilkinson, A. (2023). How AI is revolutionizing legal research. Kira Systems, 28 September. Available at: https://kirasystems.com/learn/how-ai-is-revolutionizing-legal-research/ (Accessed 5 October 2024).
DoNotPay. Save time and money with DoNotPay! DoNotPay. Available at: https://donotpay.com/ (Accessed 6 October 2024).
OpenAI. ChatGPT. Available at: https://openai.com/ (Accessed 23 February 2024).
Mustapha, S. (2020). The effect of advancement in ICT on the practice of Islamic law in Nigeria. Crescent University Law Journal (CRULJ), 5, p. 20. Available at: https://www.cuab.edu.ng/7.-Mustapha-The-Effect-of-Advancement-in-ICT-on-The-Practice-of-Islamic-Law-in-Nigeria.pdf (Accessed 5 March 2024).
Al-Khatraawiy, M. ‘I. Al Zaa’idu fi ‘Ilmul Fara’id. Madinah, Saudi Arabia: Darul Turath Publishers, n.d., p. 5.
Ahdal, A. Y. M. (2007). ‘I’anatul Taalib fil Bidayati ‘Ilmul Fara’id. Dar Tauq Najaat, p. 11.
Uthaymeen, M. S. (1983). Tasheelul Fara’id. Darul Taybah, p. 9.
Sabuni, M. A. Al Mawarith fi Shari’iyatul Islam fi dauil Kitab wa Sunnah. Warul Haray, n.d., p. 15.
Majlis Ulama South Africa (2006). Introduction on Meerath. Idara Ishaat-E-Diniyat, p. 7.
Ibn Majah, I. M. Y. Sunan Ibn Majah. Vol. 4, Book 23, Hadith 2719. Sunnah.com Online Library. Available at: https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:2719 (Accessed 23 February 2024).
Imam Muhammad bin Yazid (n 6), Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 54.
Al-Shafi’i, A. M. Ahkamul Mawarith. Al-Darul Jaami’iyah, Beirut, Lebanon, n.d.
Al-Dahm, A. M. (2000). Al-Fara’id. Waziratu Shu’un Islamiyah wal Awqaf wal Da’awatul Irshad, p. 16.
Saabuni, M. A. Al-Mawarith fi Shari’iyatil Islamiyah fi dau’il Kitab wa Sunnah, p. 42.
Abdulhameed, M. M. (2014). Rules of Inheritance According to the Islamic Doctrines. Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyah, pp. 123–124.
Rumsey, A. (1880). Moohummudan Law of Inheritance and Rights and Relations Affecting It: Sunni Doctrine: Comprising, Together with Much Collateral Information, the Substance, Greatly Expanded, of the Author's Chart of Family Inheritance. London: W. H. Allen. (Reprinted 2009, Moohummudan Law of Inheritance and Rights and Relations Affecting It. Kessinger, US).
At-Tirmidhi, M. ibn ‘?. Jami` at-Tirmidhi: Chapter 17: What has been related about invalidating the inheritance of the murderer, Book 29: Chapters on Inheritance, Hadith 2109. Available at: https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:2109 (Accessed 1 March 2024).
Mustapha, S. S. et al. (2022). Diyyah under the Shariah Penal Code of Kano State: A reflection or deflection from classical Maliki School of Law. Journal of Shariah Law Research, Islamic University of Malaya, Malaysia, 7(1), p. 32.
Ahdal, Y. M. ‘I’anatul Taalib fil Bidayati ‘Ilmul Fara’id, p. 21.
Khan, S. A. (2011). How to Calculate Inheritance: A Simple Approach. New Delhi, India: Goodword Books, p. 144.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Sodiq Sunkanmi Mustapha, Zainab Mojisola Oniyide, Kiramat Farayola Suleiman-Lawal, Dr Ahmad Hussein Folorunsho
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
