The Orion’s Arm is a fictional universe set thousands of years into the future in a universe which is dominated by AI and where faster than light travel is still not possible. Muslims also feature in this futuristic universe. Here is an excerpt from an article on the Steller Ummah.
In the aftermath of the Great Expulsion and the long period of isolation, many Islamic communities had to reevaluate their beliefs when they gained contact again. How to deal with the impossibility of pilgrimage, the many human-derived species, the AIs and especially the myriad sects, interpretations and variants of Islam that had emerged over the years? Around the turn of the first millennium many system-wide debates and conclaves were held, and while there was never any total consensus between the mutually incompatible versions of In the aftermath of the Great Expulsion and the long period of isolation, many Islamic communities had to reevaluate their beliefs when they gained contact again. How to deal with the impossibility of pilgrimage, the many human-derived species, the AIs and especially the myriad sects, interpretations and variants of Islam. Islam a few interpretations gradually cohered into a majority position, the Islamic Unity.
The Unity is based around a few highly symbolic interpretations of the Koran, combined with the New Tradition, a set of laws, observations and philosophical ideas developed since the Great Expulsion. Compared to 21st century c.e. Islam the Unity is extremely liberal in some respects (such as genetic modifications) while nearly fundamentalist in other (the zakat has to be given, or harsh punishments follow). AIs are not gods – that is a blasphemy – but rather the Watchers mentioned in the Koran, a brother species of humanity. Unlike humans they are not born with souls, but they can reach salvation and be given souls by Allah. Conversely, they can also become damned like Gaia, generally regarded by the Unity as a servant of or Shaitan himself. Among some millennialist subgroups there is a belief that one day the Great Expulsion will be ended, and then the faithful will return to the Kaaba for the Final Hajj, whereupon the story of creation will be completed. Most consider this far too literal, and suggest that Allah has a much more artful plan.
[Thanks to Edward O. for the pointer.]