MAQĀSID AL-SHARĪʻAH AND GENDER JUSTICE: REINTERPRETING QIWĀMAH IN CONTEMPORARY MUSLIM FAMILY RELATIONS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59623/zyzygj12Keywords:
Maqāṣid Al-SharīʻAh, Gender Justice, Islamic Family Law, QiwamahAbstract
The concept of qiwāmah, derived from Q. 4:34 (al-Nisāʼ), has long occupied a contested position at the intersection of Islamic jurisprudence and contemporary gender discourse. Traditionally construed as a divinely sanctioned male prerogative over women within the family unit, qiwāmah has been invoked to justify asymmetric spousal rights across numerous Muslim-majority legal systems. This article undertakes a systematic re-examination of qiwāmah through the lens of maqāṣid al-sharīʻah the higher objectives of Islamic law arguing that a theologically coherent and socially just reinterpretation is not only possible but is demanded by the internal logic of the Sharīʻah itself. Drawing on a qualitative hermeneutic methodology that synthesizes classical tafsīr literature, contemporary Islamic feminist scholarship, and recent empirical legal studies from Muslim-majority jurisdictions (2022–2026), this study identifies five interpretive schools vis-à-vis qiwāmah and maps their compatibility with the six major maqāṣid: preservation of religion (dīn), life (nafs), intellect (ʻaql), progeny (nasl), wealth (māl), and dignity (ʻirḍ). The findings reveal that classical patriarchal readings fundamentally conflict with the maqāṣid imperatives of human dignity and rational agency, while mubādalah (reciprocity) and maqāṣid-egalitarian frameworks offer doctrinally grounded pathways for reform. This article contributes a structured reconstructive framework for family law reform in Muslim-majority contexts, with direct implications for Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt, and South Asian jurisdictions.
References
Abdulkadir, M. M., Ibrahim, P. H., & Bature. (2025). Aligning Maqasid al-Shari’ah and Ijtihad: A Framework for Contemporary Islamic Jurisprudence. Journal of Arts and Sociological Research. https://doi.org/10.70382/ajasr.v7i6.030
Abdullah, F., Putri, N. A., & Salhein, Y. (2023). Revisiting ‘Iddah: A Critical Analysis of Gender Equality in Indonesian Feminist Islamic Legal Discourse. JURIS (Jurnal Ilmiah Syariah). https://doi.org/10.31958/juris.v22i2.10320
Abou El Fadl, K. (2001). Speaking in God’s Name: Islamic Law, Authority and Women. Oneworld Publications.
Affandi, A., Billah, M., & Syaifudin, M. (2025). Maqāṣidī Exegesis: A Path for Promoting Gender Equality in Contemporary Islamic Discourse. QOF. https://doi.org/10.30762/qof.v9i1.2748
Al-Rahman, Z. I., & Muthoifin. (2024). Offering Justice: Women’s Emancipation in an Islamic Perspective for Gender Equality and Human Rights Liberation. Solo International Collaboration and Publication of Social Sciences and Humanities. https://doi.org/10.61455/sicopus.v2i03.152
Al-Turabi, U. M., & Auda, J. (2025). Toward a Maqāṣid-Based Legal Reform: Systemic Thinking for Social Transformation in the Modern Muslim World. Indonesian Journal of Islamic Law. https://doi.org/10.35719/fhw10v84
Ali, K. (2006). Sexual Ethics and Islam: Feminist Reflections on Qurʼan, Hadith and Jurisprudence. Oneworld Publications.
Amin, Z., Begum, S., Irfan, N., & Khan, M. A. (2024). Addressing the Negative Impact of Social Disputes on Women’S Lives in the Pak-Afghan Pashtun Society: An Islamic Legal and Socio-Cultural Perspective. Social Sciences & Humanity Research Review. https://doi.org/10.63468/sshrr.034
Anas, A. (2025). Reinterpretation of Polygamy Verses Through Ibn ʿᾹshūr ’s Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah Theory. Al-’Allāmah: Journal of Scriptures and Ulama Studies. https://doi.org/10.70017/al-allmah.v2i1.26
Arifinsyah, Dalimunthe, M. A., & Riza, F. (2025). Islamic Theological Perspectives on Human Rights: Bridging the Gap between Faith and Universal Principles. Pharos Journal of Theology. https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.106.207
Auda, J. (2008). Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah as Philosophy of Islamic Law: A Systems Approach. International Institute of Islamic Thought.
Awalul, A., Mawariza, P., Syah, J. A., & Nuranisah, N. (2025). Maqāṣidī’s Approach to Qiwāmah and Nafaqah. Al Hairy | Journal of Islamic Law. https://doi.org/10.64344/hry.v1i2.69
Barlas, A. (2002). Believing Women in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur’an. University of Texas Press.
Basri, B. (2025). Inheritance Distribution in Islamic Family Law: A Juridical Study of the Principle of Gender Justice. Journal of Nafaqah. https://doi.org/10.62872/mvxrfe02
Bawono, B. T., Huda, M. N., Prayitno, A. H., & Siswanto, M. A. (2025). Human Trafficking and the Relevance of Hifz al-nafs and Hifz al-’ird in Contemporary Islamic Legal Ethics. MILRev: Metro Islamic Law Review. https://doi.org/10.32332/milrev.v4i1.10694
Chaudhry, A. S. (2013). Domestic Violence and the Islamic Tradition. Oxford University Press.
Fazari, A. A. M. Al, Rosman, A., & Hamdan, M. (2024). Governing Regulations of Spousal Rights Dowry (Mahr)-Financial Support (Nafaqah)-Custody (Al-Hadanah) in Islamic Jurisprudence and UAE Law-Comparative Study. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v14-i12/23463
Habibullah, M., Hassan, R., Razinah, N., & Zain, M. (2023). Women’s Empowerment and Participation in Islamic Financial Planning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Evidence from Maqasid al-Shari`ah. AL-BURHĀN: JOURNAL OF QURʾĀN AND SUNNAH STUDIES. https://doi.org/10.31436/alburhn.v7i2.308
Hallaq, W. B. (1997). A History of Islamic Legal Theories: An Introduction to Sunni Usul al-Fiqh. Cambridge University Press.
Hallaq, W. B. (2009). An Introduction to Islamic Law. Cambridge University Press.
Hassan, R. (1999). Feminist Theology: The Challenges for Muslim Women. Critique: Critical Middle Eastern Studies, 8(9), 53–65.
Ikhsan, K. A. F. (2025). Navigating Family Responsibilities: A Maqāṣid Sharia Framework for the Sandwich Generation. Jurnal Al-Hakim: Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa, Studi Syariah, Hukum Dan Filantropi. https://doi.org/10.22515/jurnalalhakim.v7i1.11271
In’amuzzahidin, M., Kharomen, A. I., Rosyida, H., & Iwanebel, F. Y. (2025). From Spiritual Stations to Social Ethics: Reframing Sufi Maqāmāt as a Framework for Gender Justice. Teosofi: Jurnal Tasawuf Dan Pemikiran Islam. https://doi.org/10.15642/teosofi.2025.15.2.508-529
Izzati, N. (2025). Protection of Women’s Rights in Islamic Family Law: A Comparative Analysis of Judicial Activism in India and Bangladesh. Jurnal AL-AHKAM. https://doi.org/10.15548/alahkam.v16i2.11717
Kamali, M. H. (2008). Shari‘ah Law: An Introduction. Oneworld Publications.
Kodir, F. A. (2019). Qirāʼah Mubādalah: Tafsir Progresif untuk Keadilan Gender dalam Islam. IRCiSoD.
Kodir, F. A., & Wahidah, U. (2019). Mubadalah: An Islamic Concept for Gender Justice and Its Relevance for Indonesian Muslim Family Law Reform. Ulul Albab: Jurnal Studi Islam, 20(1), 1–28.
Ludfi, L., & Rais, R. (2024). Reconstructing Islamic Legal Ethics : The Role of Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah in Contemporary Muslim Community Governance. Harmony Philosophy: International Journal of Islamic Religious Studies and Sharia. https://doi.org/10.70062/harmonyphilosophy.v1i1.322
Mammenasa, S. S., & Alwi, R. (2026). Maqasid Al-Shariah and Gender Justice: Analysis of the Relationship Husband and Wife in Contemporary Islamic Law. Indonesian Journal of Contemporary Multidisciplinary Research, 5(1), 271–282. https://doi.org/10.55927/modern.v5i1.25
Mashhour, A. (2005). Islamic Law and Gender Equality: Could There Be a Common Ground? Human Rights Quarterly, 27(2), 562–596.
Mir-Hosseini, Z. (2009). Towards Gender Equality: Muslim Family Laws and the Sharīʿah. In Z. Anwar (Ed.), Wanted: Equality and Justice in the Muslim Family (pp. 23–58). Musawah.
Mohammed, T. (2024). A scientometric study of Maqasid al-shariah research: trending issues, hotspot research, and co-citation analysis. Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/frma.2024.1439407
Mufti, M. (2024). Gender Equality in Islamic Marriage Law through the Maqāṣid al-Sharī’a Perspective: A Study on Woman-initiated Divorce (Cerai Gugat) in Indonesia. Sawwa: Jurnal Studi Gender. https://doi.org/10.21580/sa.v19i1.22641
Musawah. (2019). Musawah Framework for Action: Equality and Justice in the Muslim Family. https://www.musawah.org
Mustofa, B. A. (2025). Reconstructing Qiwāmah and Wilāyah in the Shāfiʿī Legal Tradition: Toward a Reform of Islamic Family Law in Indonesia. Jurnal Mahkamah : Kajian Ilmu Hukum Dan Hukum Islam. https://doi.org/10.25217/jm.v10i2.6846
Muttaqin, M. Z., Izzi, A. I., Nazar, R. F., Arifin, S. W. T., & Yogi, M. (2026). Family Harmony in Contemporary Islamic Law: Ibn ‘Āshūr’s Maqāṣid Perspective on Marital Rights and Duties. MILRev: Metro Islamic Law Review. https://doi.org/10.32332/milrev.v5i1.10480
Nasir, J. J. (2009). The Islamic Law of Personal Status (3rd ed.). Brill.
Nazah, F. N., Gustiana, R., & Saadah, T. (2025). Gender Justice in Child Custody Disputes: The Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah Approach in Contemporary Judicial Practice. MILRev: Metro Islamic Law Review. https://doi.org/10.32332/milrev.v4i2.10790
Otto, J. M. (Ed.). (2010). Sharia Incorporated: A Comparative Overview of the Legal Systems of Twelve Muslim Countries in Past and Present. Leiden University Press.
Ramadan, T. (2009). Radical Reform: Islamic Ethics and Liberation. Oxford University Press.
Ridwan, & Akbarizan. (2026). The Legal Construction Of Sexual Intercourse And The Potential For Nusyuz: Reinterpretation From The Perspective Of Maqasid Al-Shari’ah And Gender Justice. Akrab Juara : Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial. https://doi.org/10.58487/akrabjuara.v11i2.2795
Rohmi, W. E., & Mika, A. (2026). Reframing Hijab and Public Morality: Gender Justice through Maqāṣid and Qirā’ah Mubādalah. Journal of Digital Islamic Thought. https://doi.org/10.64685/jdit.2026.2.1.128-149
Ropiah, S. (2025). Integrasi Nilai-Nilai Syariah Dalam Sistem Kewarisan Di Era Modern: Kajian Terhadap Keberlanjutan Dan Tantangannya. As-Salam: Jurnal Studi Hukum Islam & Pendidikan. https://doi.org/10.51226/assalam.v14i1.744
Rusydiana, A. S., Sukmana, R., Laila, N., & Avedta, S. (2022). Waqf, Maqasid al-Sharia, and SDG-5: A Model for Women’s Empowerment. AL-IHKAM: Jurnal Hukum & Pranata Sosial. https://doi.org/10.19105/al-lhkam.v17i2.6572
Septiani, R., Saleh, M., Anam, K., Hanuddin, L., Karimuddin, Y. S., Lawang, A., Pendidikan, J., Dan, S., & Keagamaan. (2026). Reconstructing Spousal Rights and Obligations in Islamic Family Law Through a Maqasid-Based Gender Justice Approach in the Indonesian Context. Al Qodiri : Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial Dan Keagamaan. https://doi.org/10.53515/alqodiri.v24i1.45
Siregar, M. S. A. W., Zein, A., & Astuti, R. F. (2025). Feminist Interpretation of Qur’an Surah al-Nisa’ verse 34: An Educational Study on Gender Relations, Structural Violence and the Protection of Women’s Rights. Ahlussunnah: Journal of Islamic Education. https://doi.org/10.58485/jie.v4i1.305
Sonbol, A. E. A. (Ed.). (2005). Beyond the Exotic: Women’s Histories in Islamic Societies. Syracuse University Press.
Sunarto, Z. (2025). Bridging Tradition and Modernity: Al-Syāṭibī’s Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah as a Framework for Contemporary Islamic Jurisprudence. Al-Fiqh: Journal of Contemporary Islamic Law. https://doi.org/10.61987/fiqh.v1i1.803
Sutrisno, A. D., Nurrohim, A., Nugroho, K., & Hafid, R. A. (2025). Konsep Qawwamah Dan Keadilan Gender Dalam Surah An-Nisa Ayat 34: Telaah Tafsir Maqasidi Ibnu Ashur. IMTIYAZ: Jurnal Ilmu Keislaman. https://doi.org/10.46773/imtiyaz.v9i2.2060
Syam, S. A., Syahnan, M., & Lubis, F. (2025). Judicial Contra Legem Reasoning in the Division of Marital Joint Property: A Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah and Distributive Justice Perspective. JURNAL ILMIAH GEMA PERENCANA. https://doi.org/10.61860/jigp.v4i2.333
Ulinnuha, M., & Widiyanto, A. (2025). Advocacy for Muslim women and children as victims of domestic violence in Central Java, Indonesia. IJORESH Indonesian Journal of Religion Spirituality and Humanity. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijoresh.v4i1.108-133
Wadud, A. (1999). Qur’an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman’s Perspective. Oxford University Press.
Wahyudi, B., Yusof, N., Fadhil, R., Sulistio, D., & Yani, A. (2025). Ecological Justice in Islamic Family Law: Integrating Maqasid al-Shari’ah with Environmental Ethics in Post-Pandemic Societies. Islamic Law and Social Issues in Society. https://doi.org/10.64929/ilsiis.v1i2.24
Welchman, L. (2007). Women and Muslim Family Laws in Arab States: A Comparative Overview of Textual Development and Advocacy. Amsterdam University Press.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Lia Fauziyyah Ahmad, Abdurahman, Abdul Aziz Hakim (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This journal adhere to the best practice and high publishing standards and comply with the following conditions:
- Provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge;
- Allows the author to hold the copyright and to retain publishing right without restrictions;
- Deposits content with a long term digital preservation or archiving program;
- Uses DOIs as permanent identifiers;
- Embeds machine-readable CC licensing information in articles;
- Allows generous reuse and mixing of content, in accordance with CC BY-SA 4.0 license;
- Can provide article level metadata for any indexers and aggregators
