<![CDATA[Article 185 of the Indonesian Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI) recognizes descendants of an heir who dies before the decedent as substitute heirs. However, its incomplete regulation concerning the degree of substitution, inheritance shares, evidentiary requirements, and temporal applicability creates legal uncertainty in Islamic inheritance disputes. This study examines the judicial interpretation of Article 185 KHI in Makassar High Religious Court decisions and explores its application from the perspectives of judges and other legal actors. Employing a socio-legal approach, the study combines analysis of statutory provisions and two court decisions—Decision No. 69/Pdt.G/2017/PTA.Mks and Decision No. 047/Pdt.G/2019/PTA.Mks—with interviews involving judges, a court registrar, an academic, an advocate, and religious scholars. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis of interview findings and juridical interpretation of legal materials, supported by maqāṣid al-sharīʿah analysis. The findings demonstrate that substitute heirship under Article 185 KHI is largely constructed through judicial interpretation because the provision does not explicitly regulate the degree and temporal scope of substitution. Decision No. 69/Pdt.G/2017/PTA.Mks reveals uncertainty concerning the degree of substitution, while Decision No. 047/Pdt.G/2019/PTA.Mks concerns the temporal applicability of Article 185 and evidentiary issues relating to inheritance distribution predating the KHI. Interview findings indicate that judicial reasoning relies on nasab, evidence, factual circumstances, and Islamic inheritance principles. The study argues that judicial interpretation is necessary to operationalize substitute heirship but requires clearer normative boundaries to ensure legal certainty and consistency. It contributes to comparative Islamic legal studies by demonstrating the interaction between codified Islamic inheritance norms, judicial practice, and maqāṣid al-sharīʿah.]]>
