Pandangan Keliru tentang Merariq melalui Pendekatan Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam - Lalu Harjan Islamianto; Vici Prihmaningrum (Assertive: Islamic Counseling Journal, 2025)
The Merariq tradition in the Sasak community of Lombok holds a philosophical significance as a symbol of courage, respect, and transition into domestic life. However, in contemporary practice, this tradition experiences deviations that trigger social problems such as early marriage, marriage without official registration, and family conflicts. This research aims to reconstruct the meaning of the Merariq tradition through the Islamic Counseling Guidance (BKI) approach, in harmony with Islamic values, and contribute to the formation of a harmonious family. The research method employs a qualitative approach, incorporating in-depth interviews with the Sasak community and purposively selected traditional Merariq actors. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using descriptive-analytical techniques, including data reduction, thematic grouping, and critical interpretation. The results of the study show that the public's understanding of Merariq is still culturally strong, but weak in the normative aspects of Islam, thus giving rise to practices that are not in accordance with sharia. The BKI approach is considered relevant for providing post-marriage education and coaching, strengthening the positive values of traditions, and mitigating negative impacts such as early marriage and family conflicts. This research highlights the importance of harmonizing local wisdom with Islamic teachings through Islamic counseling-based education.   Tradisi Merariq pada masyarakat Sasak di Lombok memiliki makna filosofis sebagai simbol keberanian, penghormatan, dan transisi menuju kehidupan rumah tangga. Namun, dalam praktik kontemporer, tradisi ini mengalami penyimpangan yang memicu masalah sosial seperti pernikahan dini, pernikahan tanpa pencatatan resmi, dan konflik keluarga. Penelitian ini bertujuan merekonstruksi makna tradisi Merariq melalui pendekatan Bimbingan Konseling Islam (BKI) agar selaras dengan nilai-nilai Islam dan berkontribusi pada pembentukan keluarga harmonis. Metode penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan wawancara mendalam terhadap masyarakat Sasak dan pelaku tradisi Merariq yang dipilih secara purposive. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara semi-terstruktur dan dianalisis menggunakan teknik deskriptif-analitis, meliputi reduksi data, pengelompokan tema, serta interpretasi kritis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemahaman masyarakat terhadap Merariq masih kuat secara budaya, namun lemah dalam aspek normatif Islam, sehingga memunculkan praktik yang tidak sesuai syariat. Pendekatan BKI dinilai relevan untuk memberikan edukasi dan pembinaan pasca pernikahan, meneguhkan nilai positif tradisi, serta mengurangi dampak negatif seperti pernikahan dini dan konflik keluarga. Penelitian ini menegaskan pentingnya harmonisasi antara kearifan lokal dan ajaran Islam melalui pendidikan berbasis konseling Islami.