Al-Istinbath: Jurnal Hukum Islam
Vol 10 No 2 (2025)

Legal Pluralism and the Transformation of Islamic Inheritance Law: A Study of Sasak Customary Practices in Indonesia

Yusmita, Yusmita (Unknown)
Sitorus, Iwan Romadhan (Unknown)
Shesa, Laras (Unknown)
Septiana Rachman, Evy (Unknown)
Lumatus Sa'adah, Sri (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Nov 2025

Abstract

This study examines the dynamics of legal pluralism and the transformation of Islamic inheritance law within the indigenous Sasak community of Indonesia. Its primary objective is to explore how the deeply entrenched patrilineal tradition, which privileges sons in the transmission of land and core family assets, interacts with the proportional distribution mandated by Islamic inheritance law (farā’iḍ), a system that explicitly recognizes the rights of female heirs. Employing a qualitative approach rooted in socio-legal empiricism, the research draws on in-depth interviews with customary leaders, Sasak community members, and scholars of Islamic jurisprudence, complemented by documentary analysis of national legal instruments and classical fiqh literature. Findings reveal that, although patrilineal practice remains predominant, a discernible shift in values is underway toward greater adherence to Islamic inheritance principles, particularly among younger generations and families with higher educational attainment. Socio-economic change, modernization, and growing awareness of gender justice have collectively fuelled this transformation, even as resistance persists among traditional elders who regard patrilineal inheritance as an indispensable marker of cultural identity. The study concludes that these developments exemplify the inherent dynamism of Islamic law through processes of renewal (tajdīd) and selective adaptation (takhayyur). Achieving a just, gender-inclusive inheritance system with broad social legitimacy in the Indonesian context ultimately requires thoughtful harmonization among Islamic inheritance norms, local customary traditions, and the national legal framework.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

alistinbath

Publisher

Subject

Religion Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

Al-Istinbath : Jurnal Hukum Islam, is an academic journal focuses on Islamic Law studies and aimed to accommodate and socialize innovative and creative ideas from researchers, academics, and practitioners who care in the field of Islamic Law. The focus of this journal is an effort to load scientific ...