Payment of Half the Marriage Dowry to Traditional Leaders in the Batak Angkola Community from Islamic Law Perspective

Muhammad Yusuf Nasution (Universitas Islam Negeri Syekh Ali Hasan Ahmad Addary Padang Sidimpuan, Indonesia)
Imam Afsya Muhammad (Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt)

Al Muhkam: Journal of Islamic Law and Jurisprudence
Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): Al Muhkam: Journal of Islamic Law and Jurisprudence

The distribution of a portion of the dowry (mahr) to customary leaders in marriage had long been a tradition among the Angkola Batak community. When examined in relation to Islamic provisions on dowry, this tradition appeared to lack a strong normative foundation. This study aimed to examine the customary system practiced by the Angkola community regarding the allocation of part of the dowry to customary leaders and to analyze this tradition from the perspective of Islamic law. The research employed a field research method, with primary data obtained directly from customary leaders and members of the Angkola Batak community, while secondary data were drawn from books, journals, and other relevant sources. The findings indicated that every woman who married was required to undergo a customary ceremony involving several traditional leaders as a means of honoring her marriage. The funds given to these customary leaders were taken from the marriage dowry that had previously been provided by the prospective husband. From the perspective of Islamic law, the allocation of a portion of the dowry as customary payment did not contradict Islamic legal principles and could be categorized as valid custom (‘urf sahih).