Al-Qalam
Vol. 32 No. 1 (2026): Jurnal Al Qalam

PATRIARCHY AND HADITH IN TOMBOR MAG: GENDER POLITICS IN PAPUAN ISLAMIC MARRIAGE LAW

M.Thohar Al Abza (IAIN Fattahul Muluk Papua)
Heni Purwati (IAIN Fattahul Muluk Papua)
Ainun Nadzifah (3Universitas PTIQ Jakarta and Pendidikan Kader Ulama Masjid Istiqlal)
Ahmad ‘Ubaydi Hasbillah (4Universitas Hasyim Asy’ari Tebuireng Jombang)
Arif Syibromalisi (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN) Jakarta)
Andi Miftahul Maulidil Mursyid (The University of Queensland, Australia)



Article Info

Publish Date
18 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study examines the patriarchal dimension of living hadith embedded in the Tombor Mag tradition among Muslim Patipi community in Fakfak, West Papua, a Muslim majority regency in eastern Indonesia.The analysis argues that Tombor Mag is not simply a customary form of mahr, but rather a deeply rootedsocio-religious institution through which patriarchal power is perpetuated via selective interpretationsof hadith. Using a qualitative field-based approach, data were collected through interviews, participantobservation, and document analysis, then analyzed through living hadith studies, Foucauldian discourseanalysis, and maqāṣid-oriented gender hermeneutics. The results show that Tombor Mag serves as asignificant marker of family honor, masculine legitimacy, and inter-clan solidarity, while also imposingeconomic burdens and reinforcing gender inequality among Patipi Muslim families. Hadiths concerningmale responsibility and mahr obligation are selectively emphasized to legitimize customary structures,whereas hadiths promoting simplicity and moderation in marriage are systematically marginalized. Thestudy further demonstrates that interpretive authority is dominated by male religious and customaryelites, resulting in patriarchal readings of hadith that reinforce women’s symbolic subordination andconstrain their agency within marital negotiations. This article proposes a maqāṣid al-sharīʿah-orientedand gender-sensitive reinterpretation of hadith as a normative framework for reformulating customarymarriage practices while preserving cultural continuity and promoting justice, reciprocity, and humandignity in Islamic family law.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

Alqalam

Publisher

Subject

Religion

Description

Al-Qalam Jurnal Penelitian Agama dan Sosial Budaya adalah jurnal ilmiah yang diterbitkan 2 edisi dalam setahun oleh Balai Penelitian dan Pengembangan Agama Makassar. Terbit sejak tahun 1990. Fokus Kajian Jurnal berkaitan dengan penelitian Agama dan Sosial Budaya. Lingkup Jurnal meliputi Bimbingan ...