Al-Manahij : Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam
Vol. 20 No. 2 (2026)

Reconstructing Maqāṣid al-Nikāḥ: A Comparative Analysis of Gender Rights in Indonesian and Iranian Marriage Law

Thoat Stiawan (Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya)
Salman Al Farisi (Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya)
Norcahyono (Universitas Muhammadiyah Palangkaraya)
A Hisam Sidqi (Ahlul Bayt International University Tehran)
Ummi Bariroh (Universitas Airlangga Surabaya)



Article Info

Publish Date
03 Sep 2026

Abstract

The transformation of Islamic family law in the contemporary era demands a repositioning of maqāṣid al-nikāḥ to be more responsive to the protection of gender rights. Indonesia and Iran represent two different models of legal codification in translating the principle of substantive justice into marriage regulations. This study aims to dissect the dynamics of gender rights protection regarding polygamy, divorce, custody, and inheritance in Indonesia and Iran through the lens of Jasser Auda’s System Theory. This study is a qualitative research with a comparative-juridical approach. The analysis is conducted by comparing the normative texts of the Indonesian Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI) and the Iranian Civil Code (Qānūn-e Madanī), as well as functional data on their implementation in the courts. The results of the study indicate that Indonesia applies the “Judicial Formalism” model that prioritizes state intervention as a guarantor of women’s rights. In contrast, Iran applies the “Contractual Protection” model that relies on private autonomy in the marriage contract (‘aqd-nāmeh). Indonesia is more progressive in the flexibility of custody and joint property rights, while Iran is very strong in financial security through the mahrieh mechanism. This study concludes that the repositioning of maqāṣid al-nikāḥ from biological preservation to the protection of human dignity (karāmah al-insāniyyah) is highly dependent on the legal system’s openness to sociological realities and universal human rights standards.  

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Journal Info

Abbrev

almanahij

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

AL-MANAHIJ is a scholarly journal of Islamic law studies. It is a forum for debate for scholars and professionals concerned with Islamic Laws and legal cultures of Muslim Worlds. It aims for recognition as a leading medium for a scholarly and professional discourse of Islamic laws. Al-Manahij covers ...