Comparative Normative Study on Child Custody and Guardianship in Islamic Family Law: Lessons from ASEAN and Europe
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Abstract
This study presents a comparative normative analysis of child custody (ḥaḍānah) and guardianship (wilāyah) within Islamic family law, exploring their formulation in classical Islamic jurisprudence and contemporary codifications, particularly Indonesia’s Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI). The research aims to understand the foundational norms, examine their application across selected ASEAN and European countries, and identify normative insights for legal reform. Using a qualitative, literature-based method with doctrinal and comparative approaches, the study analyzes primary Islamic legal texts, national statutes, and international human rights instruments. The findings show that while classical fiqh offers structured but patriarchal custody norms, modern codifications like the KHI attempt to balance tradition with child-centered welfare principles. Comparative insights from Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, France, and Germany reveal diverse models of legal pluralism and secular accommodation. A key implication is the possibility of integrating the "best interests of the child" with Islamic legal reasoning, particularly through maqāṣid al-sharīʿah, to support child protection and gender equity. This study contributes to the discourse on Islamic legal reform in plural societies and offers pathways for reconstructing custody and guardianship norms in line with universal child welfare standards.
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