<![CDATA[The phenomenon of "Marriage is Scary" among Indonesian Muslim youth reflects the level of anxiety about the institution of marriage, despite its foundational status in Islamic theology as a sacred covenant (mithaq ghaliz) and act of worship. This study explores the theological underpinnings of these fears and examines how young Muslims reconcile divine principles with contemporary life challenges. Using a qualitative method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 unmarried participants who reported anxiety or reluctance toward marriage. Thematic analysis revealed four primary factors: negative familial experiences, economic insecurity, fear of personal constraint, and exposure to negative narratives via social media. While participants acknowledged theological teachings—such as reliance on Allah (Q.S. At-Talaq: 2–3) and marriage as a Sunnah—many found these ideals difficult to apply in practice due to structural and emotional barriers. Rather than positioning Islamic theology as a prescriptive solution, the study highlights its potential as a reflective framework through which youth navigate moral ambivalence, spiritual doubt, and social transitions. The findings call for a renewed engagement with Islamic theology that addresses relational fears not only through doctrinal affirmation but through lived, contextual interpretation. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how Islamic theological discourse interacts with personal and societal anxieties, offering a more grounded approach to addressing fears of marriage among Muslim youth in Indonesia.]]>
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