<![CDATA[The practice of unregistered marriage remains prevalent in various regions of Indonesia, including Nagari Ampang Kuranji, Koto Baru District, Dharmasraya Regency. This phenomenon occurs because many members of the community prioritize the religious validity of marriage over its legal recognition by the state, leading them to perceive marriage registration as having no effect on the validity of the marriage itself. This study aims to analyze the factors underlying the practice of unregistered marriage in Nagari Ampang Kuranji and to examine it from the perspective of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah. This research employed a qualitative field research approach. Primary data were collected through interviews with individuals involved in unregistered marriages, traditional marriage officiants (penghulu), religious leaders, community leaders, and village government officials. Secondary data were obtained from books, journal articles, official documents, and relevant legislation. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and documentation, and subsequently analyzed using a descriptive-analytical method based on the maqāṣid al-sharīʿah framework. The findings reveal that the practice of unregistered marriage is influenced by several factors, including religious understanding, low legal awareness, deeply rooted social customs, early marriage, pregnancy outside marriage, and the marital status of widows and widowers. From the perspective of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah, this practice fulfills the objectives of ḍarūriyyāt (essential necessities) and ḥājiyyāt (complementary needs) because it seeks to preserve religion, life, intellect, lineage, and property. However, it does not fulfill the objective of taḥsīniyyāt (embellishments), as the absence of marriage registration weakens legal certainty and the protection of family rights. Therefore, marriage registration constitutes an essential element in promoting public welfare (maṣlaḥah) and ensuring legal protection for wives and children.]]>
