Elopement in Lombok and Its Legal Consequences from the Perspective of Customary Law, Marriage Law, and Islamic Law

Haeratun Haeratun (University of Mataram)

Formosa Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (FJMR)
Vol. 4 No. 7 (2025): July 2025

This study examines the phenomenon of elopement, or merariq, as practiced by the Sasak people in Lombok, Indonesia, and analyzes its legal implications from the perspectives of customary law, national marriage law, and Islamic law. While culturally regarded as a traditional form of courtship, merariq often clashes with formal legal standards, particularly when carried out without parental consent, guardian approval, or official registration. The research highlights how such practices can lead to social conflict, loss of legal rights for women and children, and potential violations of criminal and human rights law. Using a normative juridical approach, this study finds that although merariq carries deep cultural significance, it must be harmonized with national and religious legal systems to ensure the protection of individual rights, especially for women and minors.