Iʿmār: International Journal of Islamic Ethics, Jurisprudence, and Emerging Technologies recognizes that generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted technologies may support authors in preparing scholarly manuscripts. The journal permits the responsible use of these technologies while upholding transparency, academic integrity, research accountability, and the originality of scholarly contributions.

This policy specifically addresses the use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in writing and preparing manuscripts. It does not prohibit the use of AI, machine learning, or other computational technologies as research instruments, methodological approaches, or analytical tools. However, when such technologies are employed in the research process, their use must be transparently described in the relevant sections of the manuscript, including the research design, methodology, data collection, or data analysis, as appropriate.

Authors must observe the following principles:

1. Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies may be used to support language improvement, grammar correction, readability, translation, and manuscript organization. Their use must not replace the authors' original scholarly contributions, critical reasoning, interpretation, or intellectual judgment.
2. Authors must critically review, verify, and revise all AI-generated or AI-assisted content before submission. Particular care must be taken to verify factual claims, scholarly references, quotations, research findings, and interpretations.
3. In manuscripts addressing Islamic ethics and jurisprudence, authors remain responsible for verifying the accuracy and authenticity of Qur'anic quotations, Hadith texts and references, legal opinions, fatwas, classical and contemporary scholarly arguments, and other Islamic primary sources.
4. Authors bear full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, validity, and integrity of the entire manuscript, including any content produced or assisted by generative AI.
5. Generative AI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship requires intellectual contribution, accountability, and responsibility that can only be assumed by human contributors.
6. Authors must not use generative AI to fabricate data, references, quotations, research findings, or scholarly arguments, or to misrepresent the work of other researchers.
7. AI-generated content must not be presented as independently verified scholarly evidence or as a substitute for appropriate engagement with primary and secondary sources.

Disclosure Statement

If generative AI or AI-assisted technologies have been used in preparing a manuscript, authors must include a separate section entitled "Declaration of Generative AI Use" immediately before the References.

The declaration should identify the AI tool or service, explain the purpose of its use, and clarify the authors' responsibility for reviewing and verifying the resulting content. Authors may use the following format:

During the preparation of this manuscript, the author(s) used [Name of AI Tool/Service] to assist with [specific purpose, such as language editing, grammar improvement, translation, or text organization]. The author(s) carefully reviewed, revised, and verified all AI-assisted content and take full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the final manuscript.

If no generative AI or AI-assisted technologies were used in preparing the manuscript, no declaration is required.

The routine use of basic editorial and productivity software, such as spelling checkers, conventional grammar correction tools, reference managers, and formatting utilities that do not generate substantive scholarly content, does not require disclosure.

The use of AI as part of the research methodology or analytical process must be explained separately in the relevant methodological sections. Such disclosure should identify the technology or model used, its purpose, the procedures involved, and its role in producing or analyzing research data.

Policy for Editors and Reviewers

To protect the confidentiality of submitted manuscripts and preserve the integrity of the peer-review process, editors and reviewers must not upload unpublished manuscripts, reviewer reports, author correspondence, or other confidential editorial materials to public generative AI platforms or AI-assisted services, including ChatGPT and comparable tools, without appropriate institutional authorization and adequate data-protection safeguards.

Editors and reviewers must conduct their evaluations independently, maintain the confidentiality of all unpublished materials, and remain accountable for their editorial judgments and review recommendations. Generative AI must not replace their critical assessment, professional expertise, or independent decision-making.

The use of AI-assisted tools in editorial or reviewing activities must comply with the journal's confidentiality requirements, applicable data-protection standards, and the ethical principles of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Policy Review

Iʿmār will periodically review and update this policy in response to developments in generative AI, scholarly publishing standards, and research ethics. Any revisions will aim to maintain transparency, protect intellectual contributions, and ensure responsible and accountable use of emerging technologies in scholarly communication.