Reforming Islamic Family Law in Southeast Asia: A Comparative Study of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam
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Abstract
This study examines the reform of Islamic family law in Southeast Asia through a comparative analysis of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam. The research addresses the gap between traditional interpretations of Islamic law—often marked by gender bias—and contemporary demands for justice and human rights. The main objective is to explore the dynamics of reform, the driving and inhibiting factors, and the socio-legal implications of changes in family law, particularly concerning marriage, divorce, inheritance, and women’s rights. The study employs a comparative legal analysis based on primary sources (statutes, court decisions, fatwas) and secondary literature, guided by the frameworks of Maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah and gender justice theory. Findings reveal that Indonesia demonstrates a progressive and decentralized reform trajectory with strong civil society involvement; Malaysia presents a complex dualism between Shari‘ah and civil courts; while Brunei enforces a more centralized Shari‘ah system under state authority. The implications highlight the need for collaboration among state institutions, religious authorities, and civil society to achieve gender-just, contextually relevant, and ethically grounded reforms in Islamic family law. This study contributes to the scholarly discourse on Islamic law in Southeast Asia and provides policy recommendations for strengthening justice and protection of Muslim families.
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