IBN MISKAWAIH'S ETHICAL ANALYSIS OF HIFZ NASL IN OVERCOMING DEEPFAKE PORNOGRAPHY IN THE AI ERA

Abstract

In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), the rise of pornographic deepfakes poses a serious threat to human dignity, privacy, and social stability. This phenomenon exploits deep learning technology to manipulate individuals’ faces into non-consensual pornographic content, often targeting women and public figures. This paper examines the ethics of Ibn Miskawayh, a 10th-century Muslim philosopher, specifically the concept of hifz al-nasl (preservation of lineage) as one of the five maqasid al-shari’a (Islamic principles), to address this issue. Hifz al-nasl emphasizes the protection of human lineage, including family honor, women’s dignity, and social integrity, which are relevant to the psychological damage, trauma, and moral degradation caused by deepfakes. Through an analysis of the texts Tahdhib al-Akhlaq and Al-Fauz al-Asghar, this concept is outlined as a preventive and curative principle: prevention through strengthening individual morals and regulating technology, and treatment through restorative justice. Ibn Miskawayh combines Aristotelian philosophy with Islam, making hifz al-nasl a collective obligation to maintain the balance of the soul (nafs) and society. Its applications to deepfakes include: (1) ethical use of AI based on piety and ‘adl; (2) legal regulations that protect privacy as an extension of preserving lineage; and (3) moral education to build digital resilience. This study concludes that Ibn Miskawaih’s approach offers a holistic framework, integrating spiritual, ethical, and legal dimensions, that is more adaptive than technological solutions alone. Recommendations include the development of contemporary fatwas and ethical AI platforms for the digital age.