Leveraging AI Tools for Islamic Scholarship: Podcast and eBook Innovations in Teaching the Sunni Intellectual Tradition

This project integrates the use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to transform undergraduate’s student engagement and learning outcomes in the Sunni Studies. The course requires students to apply digital skills in analysing the principles of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-JamÄ Ê¿ah (ASWJ) in comparison with divergent theological schools such as the MuÊ¿tazilah, Qadariyyah, and Jabariyyah assisted using AI tools in the process. The learning activities emphasize collaborative research in preparing two interconnected outputs: a podcast as an oral presentation medium and a mini e-book as a structured, supportive reading source. Over 10 weeks, students in groups of 3 to 5 created podcasts (10–15 minutes) and mini eBooks on theological topics, using AI tools like ChatGPT, Canva, Perplexity, and CapCut for content generation, design, and editing. By integrating theology with digital innovation, the project not only strengthens students’ analytical understanding of ASWJ thought but also equips them with transferable digital competencies, preparing them for leadership and knowledge dissemination in the digital era. A post-test survey (n=39) revealed 97.4% of students found the process highly engaging, 94.9% used AI tools, and 87.2% reported easier task completion. The findings indicate that integrating podcasts and e-books into the course not only enhances digital readiness and engagement but also demonstrates measurable pedagogical impact. This innovation bridges traditional Islamic studies with contemporary digital tools, providing a scalable model for modernizing religious education. This project demonstrates how AI-supported multimodal outputs can modernise Islamic theological education while building transferable digital skills.