Hakam : Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam dan Hukum Ekonomi Islam
Vol 10, No 2 (2026)

RETHINKING CHILD CUSTODY (HADANAH) IN MODERN MUSLIM FAMILIES: BETWEEN MATERNAL PREFERENCE AND CHILD-CENTERED JUSTICE

Muhammad Zahid Abdullah Zuhri (Universitas Nurul Jadid Paiton Probolinggo)
Ainul Yakin (Universitas Nurul Jadid Paiton Probolinggo)
Muhammad Haris Miftah Sibawayhie (University of Jordan)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study reexamines the concept of Hadanah in Islamic family law by highlighting the dominance of maternal preference amid changes in the structure of contemporary Muslim families. The study employs a normative-interdisciplinary approach that combines an analysis of classical fiqh, attachment theory in developmental psychology, and the framework of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah. The findings indicate that the primacy of the mother in child-rearing reflects a socio-historical construction rather than an absolute normative principle. Modern psychological studies confirm that the quality of emotional bonds and the stability of care play a more decisive role than the caregiver’s gender identity. Meanwhile, the maqāṣid approach opens up a more flexible space for reinterpretation by prioritizing the child’s best interests as the primary orientation. This study offers a conceptual formulation of Hadanah based on child-centered justice, which places the child’s best interests as the primary basis for determining custody. This model is expected to enrich the discourse on Islamic family law reform, making it more responsive, contextual, and oriented toward substantive justice.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

hakam

Publisher

Subject

Religion Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

Hakam : Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam dan Hukum Ekonomi Islam adalah jurnal ilmiah yang mengkaji tentang persoalan - persoalan hukum dan keislaman. Jurnal ini diterbitkan secara berkala setahun dua kali, yaitu setiap bulan Juni dan Desember oleh Program Studi Hukum Keluarga Islam, Fakultas Agama Islam, ...