Utilizing Digital Libraries in Islamic Research: Benefits, Challenges, and a Fiqh Perspective

Abstract

This article examines the use of digital libraries in Islamic research, focusing on their benefits, challenges, and the conditions for their legitimate utilization from an Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) perspective. It highlights the significant advantages that digital libraries, such as al-Maktaba al-Shamela and other databases, provide in facilitating access to Islamic texts and scholarly resources. However, the paper also addresses the potential pitfalls of uncritical reliance on these digital tools, particularly in terms of methodological flaws, neglecting source context, and the risks of compromised academic integrity. The study argues that while digital libraries enhance the efficiency of research, they must be used with intellectual responsibility, guided by the foundational principles of fiqh, hadith verification, and academic ethics. Ultimately, the paper stresses the importance of balanced and responsible use of digital resources, emphasizing that digital libraries serve as tools for research, not as substitutes for a deeper understanding of Islamic scholarship.