<![CDATA[Unregistered marriage remains a significant challenge in Islamic family law, particularly regarding the legal protection and fulfillment of children's rights. The absence of formal marriage registration may create barriers to establishing legal parentage, securing birth certificates, enforcing parental responsibilities, and accessing civil and economic entitlements. These challenges raise fundamental questions concerning the adequacy of existing legal frameworks in protecting children and sustaining family welfare. This study aims to examine how Islamic family law addresses the protection of children's rights arising from unregistered marriages and to identify the normative and practical gaps that undermine children's legal status and welfare. It also seeks to reconstruct a more equitable and sustainable framework by integrating maqāṣid al-sharīʿah, the best interests of the child, and family resilience. Employing a qualitative method through normative legal research and a conceptual approach, this study analyzes Islamic family law principles, relevant legal frameworks, and contemporary perspectives on children's rights and family welfare. The anticipated analysis highlights the tension between formal marriage registration requirements and the substantive protection of children who should not bear the legal and social consequences of their parents' decisions. It further develops a child-centered framework that emphasizes legal recognition, parental accountability, access to essential rights, and the strengthening of family resilience. This study contributes to the development of contemporary Islamic family law by advancing a substantive justice perspective that positions children's welfare as a central consideration in legal reform. Its implications extend to policymakers, judicial institutions, and family law practitioners seeking to strengthen inclusive and sustainable child protection mechanisms. Keywords: Unregistered Marriage; Children's Rights; Islamic Family Law; Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah; Family Resilience]]>
Copyrights © 2025
