<![CDATA[Abstracts: The precautionary theory (al-naẓariyyah al-iḥtiyāṭ) is rarely found in classical fiqh references, although it serves as a fundamental basis in the legal construction of the Shafi'i school, particularly regarding issues of women's blood. However, this theory is suspected to be the reason why several practical rulings within the school appear burdensome. This article aims to examine the epistemological foundation of precautionary theory in the Shafi'i school, analyze its implications for the rulings on women's blood, and evaluate its practical applicability. Using a qualitative method that combines library research and fieldwork, along with an inductive analytical approach, this study explores the precautionary theory and tests its relevance through the lived experiences of women regarding its application in cases of istihāḍah. Data were collected through observation and interviews with 75 female students at three Islamic boarding schools (pesantren). The findings reveal that some Shafi'i rulings based on the precautionary theory appear difficult to apply, such as the ruling on mutaḥayyirah istihāḍah. On the other hand, there are rulings that are relatively easier to implement, such as the obligation to follow step-by-step procedures before prayer for mustaḥāḍah women. These findings indicate the necessity of a contextual approach in applying the precautionary theory, especially in cases involving the complexities of women’s daily lives.Keywords: The precautionary theory in Shafi'i jurisprudence, the principle of precaution, irregular istihāḍah, women’s bleeding.Abstrak: Teori reservatif (al-naẓariyyah al-iḥtiyāṭ) sangat jarang ditemukan dalam referensi fikih klasik, meskipun menjadi landasan utama dalam konstruksi hukum mazhab Syafi’i, khususnya terkait persoalan darah wanita. Namun, teori ini diduga menjadi penyebab mengapa sejumlah hukum praktikal dalam mazhab tersebut terkesan menyulitkan. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji teori reservatisme dalam mazhab Syafi’i secara epistemologis, menganalisis implikasinya terhadap hukum darah wanita, serta mengevaluasi kemungkinan penerapannya secara aplikatif. Dengan menggunakan metode kualitatif yang menggabungkan penelitian kepustakaan dan lapangan, serta pendekatan analisis induktif, penelitian ini mengeksplorasi teori reservatif dan menguji relevansinya melalui pengalaman perempuan terkait penerapannya pada kasus istihāḍah. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi dan wawancara terhadap 75 santri di tiga pesantren. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sebagian hukum fikih Syafi’i yang dibangun berdasarkan teori reservatif terkesan sulit diaplikasikan, seperti hukum istihāḍah mutaḥayyirah. Namun, di sisi lain, terdapat pula hukum yang relatif mudah diterapkan, seperti kewajiban menjalankan prosedur langkah-demi-langkah sebelum salat bagi wanita mustaḥāḍah. Temuan ini mengindikasikan perlunya pendekatan kontekstual dalam menerapkan teori reservatif, khususnya dalam kasus-kasus yang melibatkan dinamika kehidupan perempuan.Kata kunci: teori ihtiyāṭ dalam fikih Syafi’i, prinsip kehati-hatian, istihāḍah tidak beraturan, darah wanita.]]>
