E-Prosiding Persidangan Serantau Manasik Haji 2025 (MANASIK2025)

MANASIK2025 Putrajaya, Malaysia, 7-8 Oktober 2025 604 such as the Masyair week. The service is staffed 18 hours daily by multiple Pihtas facilitators, with extended 24-hour coverage during critical phases to guarantee timely responses. Typical questions revolve around complex jurisprudential matters such as menstruation during ihram, ritual purity, intention ( niyyah ) declarations, and tawaf completion verification. This paper investigates the integration and impact of AI in Malaysian Hajj management, focusing on the e-Taib platform as a paradigm of digital religious guidance, alongside AI applications in health monitoring, crowd control, and logistical coordination. We explore challenges such as data privacy, digital literacy disparities, and cost implications within the context of Islamic ethical frameworks. 1. Literature Review The field of Hajj management has witnessed significant evolution over decades, from predominantly manual coordination to the integration of advanced digital technologies (MAJID et al., n.d.; Shah, 2024; Shambour & Gutub, 2022; Showail, 2022; Taibah & Arlikatti, 2015). Contemporary research has underscored the imperative of adopting emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications to meet the increasing scale, complexity, and safety demands of the pilgrimage. Several studies highlight crowd management as a critical concern. For instance, Astro Awani (2024) reported on Saudi Arabia’s AI -powered Baseer platform that uses computer vision and predictive analytics to monitor real-time pilgrim movements, foreseeing and mitigating congestion and potential stampede risks. This system serves as a global benchmark showcasing AI's transformative influence on mass event safety. Closer to the Malaysian context, Tabung Haji (TH) has pioneered the development of AI-imbued guidance tools, chiefly the e-Taib platform. Launched in 2021, e-Taib facilitates real-time, remote interaction between Malaysian pilgrims and trained Pihtas (Holy Land facilitators), providing religious guidance rooted in Islamic jurisprudence (Shariah). Research and media reports indicate that e-Taib handles more than 1,000 religious inquiries weekly, with anticipated surges reaching 4,000 during peak pilgrimage periods (Bernama, 2024; The Star, 2025). Notably, its design balances AI-facilitated query management with vital human oversight, contrasting with generic AI chatbots like ChatGPT. More broadly, the literature underscores several challenges accompanying AI adoption in Hajj management. These include data privacy concerns, variances in user digital literacy, infrastructural constraints, and ensuring alignment with maqasid al-shariah , the higher objectives of Islamic law that emphasize faith preservation, life protection, and intellectual welfare. According to Mansyur (2023) and other scholars, technology must complement, not replace, human religious authority to uphold spiritual authenticity (Hidayat & Wahyono, 2025; Rahiem, 2025; Sirait, 2024). Digital initiatives such as THhujjaj, Hajj mobility, and E-bimbingan alongside e- Taib reflect Malaysia’s comprehensive push towards digital transformation in pilgrimage management, leveraging AI to support safety, health, and guidance services (Astro Awani, 2022). Yet, empirical research remains incomplete on the degree of acceptance among pilgrims, the efficiency gains versus cost implications, and the nuanced religious-ethical dialogues emerging from this innovation. This study builds upon these frameworks to evaluate the Malaysian experience with AI integration, focusing on the operational, spiritual, technological, and ethical dimensions critical for successful and sustainable adaptation in the digital era.