Reinterpreting Islamic Inheritance: Supreme Court Jurisprudence and Gender Justice in Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v13i3.1593Keywords:
Islamic Inheritance, Supreme Court, Gender Justice, Legal Pluralism, Maqāṣid al-SharīʿahAbstract
The implementation of Islamic inheritance law in Indonesia continues to face interpretive challenges in balancing classical jurisprudence with contemporary demands for gender justice. This study examines how the Indonesian Supreme Court, through landmark decisions—Decision No. 86 K/AG/1994 and Decision No. 184 K/AG/1995—has redefined inheritance principles by granting daughters the legal authority to block the inheritance rights of the testator’s siblings. Employing a normative–juridical approach that integrates statutory, conceptual, and case-based analyses, this research explores the Court’s interpretive reliance on Ibn ʿAbbās’s minority opinion concerning Qur’an 4:176, which equates the inheritance positions of sons and daughters. The findings reveal that the Court’s jurisprudence prioritizes genealogical proximity (qarābah al-dam) over gender preference, thereby reconfiguring inheritance distribution and affirming daughters as residuary heirs (ʿaṣabah). This reinterpretation represents a progressive form of ijtihād qaḍāʾī that harmonizes Islamic law with constitutional principles of equality and justice. Academically, the study contributes a contextual model for integrating maqāṣid al-sharīʿah and civic reason within Indonesia’s plural legal framework; practically, it offers a reference for reforming the Compilation of Islamic Law and advancing gender-equitable inheritance jurisprudence across Muslim-majority societies.
References
Abdurrahman, L. T. (2022). Conflict in Islamic Jurisprudence: Noel J. Coulson’s Historical Approach and His Contribution to the Study of Islamic Law. Journal of Islamic Law, 3(1), 74–93. https://doi.org/10.24260/jil.v3i1.495
Adhha, N. (2020). The Human Rights and Women in the Context of Interfaith Marriage and Inheritance: A Comparative Analysis of Family Law in Muslim Countries. ICRI 2018, 964–971. https://doi.org/10.5220/0009921109640971
Aditi, I. G. A., Husni, L., Haq, L. M. H., & Sabardi, L. (2023). Re-examination of the Concept of Justice in the Inheritance System: A Study on Women’s Inheritance in the Traditional Society of Bali in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Jurnal IUS Kajian Hukum Dan Keadilan, 11(3), 602–622. https://doi.org/10.29303/ius.v11i3.1322
Ahmad, W. (2022). Pandangan Islam terhadap Sistem Pembagian Warisan Anak Laki-Laki dan Perempuan menurut Hukum Perdata. Jurnal Az-Zawajir, 3(1), 37–51. https://doi.org/10.57113/jaz.v3i1.138
Ali, Z. (2021). Metode Penelitian Hukum. Sinar Grafika
Amron, M. (2006). Kedudukan Ahli Waris Anak Perempuan bersama Ahli Waris Saudara dalam Hukum Waris Islam di Pengadilan Agama Semarang. Master’s thesis, Universitas Diponegoro. https://eprints.undip.ac.id/15210/2/muhammad_amronb4b004143.pdf
An-Naʿim, A. A. (2008). Islam and the Secular State: Negotiating the Future of Sharia. Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.46-1147
Ash-Shiddieqy, H. (1987). Hukum Warisan dalam Islam. Jakarta: Bulan Bintang
Djawas, M., Hasballah, K., Devi, S., Kadir, M. A., & Abda, Y. (2022). The Construction of Islamic Inheritance Law: A Comparative Study of the Islamic Jurisprudence and the Compilation of Islamic Law. Juris: Jurnal Ilmiah Syariah, 21(2), 207–219. https://doi.org/10.31958/juris.v21i2.7495
Faiz, M. F., Ali, Z. Z., & Taufiq, M. (2023). Underage Widows and Widowers before the Law: Problem, Contestation and Legal Certainty in Marriage Dispensation. Juris: Jurnal Ilmiah Syariah, 22(2), 223–234. https://doi.org/10.31958/juris.v22i2.9097
Fatahullah, F, Sulistiyono, A., & Harahap, B. (2025). Reform of Islamic Inheritance Law: The Influence of Customary Law on the Institution of Mandatory Bequest in Islamic Law. Jurnal IUS Kajian Hukum Dan Keadilan, 13(1), 259–274. https://doi.org/10.29303/IUS.V13I1.1695
Fitriyati, Y., Ibrahim, D., Muntaqo, F., & Hasan, K. S. (2025). Reconsidering Inheritance Equality: Gender Justice in Religious Court Decisions through the Lens of Maqashid Al-Shariah. Nurani: Jurnal Kajian Syari’ah dan Masyarakat, 25(1), 122-140. https://doi.org/10.19109/nurani.v25i1.27133
Gilliot, C., & Johansen, B. (2000). Contingency in a Sacred Law: Legal and Ethical Norms in the Muslim Fiqh. Studia Islamica, 90, 187–200. https://doi.org/10.2307/1596176
Hadikusuma, H. (1993). Hukum Waris Adat. Bandung: Citra Aditya Bakti.
Haidar, I. (2023). Reformasi Hukum Waris Islam di Indonesia: Pendekatan Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah. Jurnal Hukum Islam Kontemporer, 12(2), 55–70.
Hajar, M. (2016). Asal Usul dan Implementasi Ahli Waris Pengganti Perspektif Hukum Islam. Asy-Syir'ah Jurnal Ilmu Syari'ah dan Hukum, 50(1), 49-79. https://doi.org/10.14421/ajish.v50i1.164
Hakim, A. (2021). Ijtihad Qadha’i dan Reformasi Hukum Kewarisan Islam di Indonesia. Bandung: Alfabeta
Haroen, N. (1996). Fiqh Sosial dan Keadilan dalam Syariah. Jakarta: Rajagrafindo Persada
Hazairin, H. (1976). Hukum Kewarisan Bilateral menurut Al-Qur’an. Jakarta: Tintamas
Hazairin, H. (1982). Demokrasi Pancasila dan Hukum Kewarisan Bilateral. Jakarta: Bina Aksara
Heriandita, S. M. P., Alwyni, F. F., Muttaqin, M. I., & Hannase, M. (2025). The Role of Islamic Inheritance Law with a Maqasid al-Shariah Approach in Addressing the Challenges of Social Justice for Women. AJIS: Academic Journal of Islamic Studies, 10(1), 231-252. https://doi.org/10.29240/ajis.v10i1.11931
Hidayah, N. (2023). Protection of Women’s Rights in the Islamic Legal Framework of West Nusa Tenggara. Samarah, 7(2), 1119–1137. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v7i2.13225
Hoballah, H. (2006). Gender and Islamic Law: An Analytical Perspective. Cairo: Dar al-Fikr
Hutchinson, T., & Duncan, N. (2012). Defining and Describing what We do: Doctrinal Legal Research. Deakin Law Review, 17(1), 83–119. https://doi.org/10.21153/dlr2012vol17no1art70
Ibrahim, J. (2006). Teori & metodologi penelitian hukum normatif. Bayumedia
Ilyas, I., Rani, F. A., Bahri, S., & Sufyan, S. (2023). The Accommodation of Customary Law to Islamic Law: Distribution of Inheritance in Aceh from a Pluralism Perspectives. Samarah, 7(2), 897-919. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v7i2.15650
Islamiyati, I. (2015). Analisis Asas Keadilan pada Pembagian Harta Warisan menurut Hukum Islam. Masalah-Masalah Hukum, 44(1), 104–113. https://doi.org/10.14710/mmh.44.1.2015.104-113
Isnina, I. (2023). The Position of the Daughter Hinders Full Siblings. In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Law, Social Sciences, and Education (pp. 10–12). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-494069-07-7
Kamarusdiana, K., Fuadi, M. I., & Helmi, M. I. (2021). Keadilan Waris Islam dalam Kedudukan Anak Perempuan sebagai Ḥājib Ḥirmān terhadap Saudara dalam Putusan Mahkamah Agung. Al-Manahij: Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam, 15(2), 221–232. https://doi.org/10.24090/mnh.v15i2.4960
Karim, M. A. (2012). Problematika hukum kewarisan Islam kontemporer di Indonesia. Puslitbang Kehidupan Keagamaan, Badan Litbang dan Diklat, Kementerian Agama RI
Khan, H. (2007). Gender Equality and Islamic Inheritance Law: Contemporary Perspectives. Islamabad: IRI Press
Lubis, Z., & Daulay, M. N. H. (2024). Alternatif Solusi terhadap Permasalahan Waris Saudara Laki-Laki yang Mewarisi bersama dengan Anak Perempuan. Al-Usrah: Jurnal Al Ahwal As Syakhsiyah, 11(3), 18–34. https://doi.org/10.30821/al-usrah.v11i2.19164
Manan, A. (2008). Reformasi Hukum Islam di Indonesia. Jakarta: RajaGrafindo Persada
Manan, A. (2017). Peranan Yurisprudensi dalam Pembaruan Hukum Islam di Indonesia. Jakarta: Kencana
Marzuki, P. M. (2008). Penelitian Hukum. Prenada Media Grup
Mustika, N. W. E., Darma, I. M. W., Kurniawan, I. G. A., & Thapa, N. Y. (2023). Restorative Justice in Health Disputes Between Patients and Hospitals from an Inclusive Justice Perspective. Jurnal IUS Kajian Hukum Dan Keadilan, 11(3), 423–436. https://doi.org/10.29303/ius.v11i3.1293
Muzana, Z., Sulong, J. B., & Ismail, F. H. (2017). Customary Practices of Sharing Inheritance: An Analysis of Society Practices in Pidie Aceh Darussalam. Al-Ihkam: Jurnal Hukum & Pranata Sosial, 11(2), 275–292. https://doi.org/10.19105/al-lhkam.v11i2.1037
Norhartijah, H., & Kurniawan, C. S. (2025). Reforming Islamic family law in Southeast Asia: A comparative study of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam. Asian Journal of Islamic Studies, 2(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.62976/ajisc.v2i1.1367
Nugraha, H. S., Al Arif, M. Y., & Fikri, M. Z. (2023). Examining the Legal Standing of IKN Authority Regulations within Indonesian’s Legislation System. Volksgeist: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Dan Konstitusi, 6(2), 261–280. https://doi.org/10.24090/volksgeist.v6i2.9394
Rabbani, F. F., Ardan, M., & Aliyah, K. K. (2024). Problematika Pembagian Waris Adat pada Kekerabatan Patrilineal. Indonesian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 4(2), 42–49. https://journal.publication-center.com/index.php/ijssh/article/view/1728
Rajafi, A., Sugitanata, A., & Lusiana, V. (2024). The ‘Double-Faced’ Legal Expression: Dynamics and Legal Loopholes in Interfaith Marriages in Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Law, 5(1), 19–43. https://doi.org/10.24260/jil.v5i1.2153
Reskiani, A., Tenrilawa, D. F., Aminuddin, & Subha, R. (2022). Reform Methods of Islamic Inheritance Law in Indonesia in Jurisprudence. Juris: Jurnal Ilmiah Syariah, 21(1), 39–51. https://doi.org/10.31958/juris.v21i1.5564
Safitri, E., & Saiful, A. (2025). Islamic Inheritance Law in Indonesia: Analysis of Legal Implementation and Compliance Among Muslim Communities. Responsive Law Journal, 2(1), 53–61. https://doi.org/10.59923/rlj.v2i1.460
Santika, S., & Eva, Y. (2023). Kewarisan dalam Sistem Kekerabatan Matrilineal, Patrilineal, dan Bilateral. Al-Mashlahah: Jurnal Hukum Islam dan Pranata Sosial Islam, 11(2), 193–203. https://doi.org/10.30868/am.v11i02.4874
Sarmadi, A. S. (1970). Ahli Waris Pengganti Pasal 185 KHI dalam Perspektif Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah. Al-Manahij: Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam, 7(1), 65–76. https://doi.org/10.24090/mnh.v7i1.577
Sholecha, E. M., Saiful, A., Yunika, S., Hariyanto, & Unsil, N. (2023). Justice Collaborator’s Position and Function on Witness Protection’s Rights as a Suspect from the Perspective of Criminal Law in Indonesia. Volksgeist: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Dan Konstitusi, 6(1), 131–143. https://doi.org/10.24090/volksgeist.v6i1.7246
Soekanto, S. (2018). Penelitian Hukum Normatif (8th ed.). Rajawali Pers
Sugitanata, A., Aminah, S., Sunardi, H., & Sholikhah, S. K. (2023). Violation of Women’s Rights: The Kawin Magrib Tradition of the Sasak Muslim Community in Lombok, Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Law, 4(2), 197–217. https://doi.org/10.24260/jil.v4i2.1772
Supriadi, T. (2016). Keadilan Gender dalam Perspektif Hukum Islam. Bandung: UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Press.
Wulandari, W. R., Ahmad, N., Fitriliani, Y., & Purwaningsih, R. (2025). Inheriting Inequity: A Comparative Legal Dissection of Gender Discrimination in Indonesian Inheritance Law. Volksgeist: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Dan Konstitusi, 8(1), 285–307. https://doi.org/10.24090/volksgeist.v8i1.12994
Zahro, F., & Pramesti K.M, S. (2023). Kesetaraan Gender dalam Hukum Kewarisan Islam Perspektif M. Syahrur. Mahakim: Journal of Islamic Family Law, 7(1), 25–46. https://doi.org/10.30762/mahakim.v7i1.201
Zainuddin, M., Umar, M. N., Sumardi, D., Mansari, & Khalil, Z. F. (2024). Protection of Women and Children in the Perspective of Legal Pluralism: A Study in Aceh and West Nusa Tenggara. Samarah, 8(3), 1948–1973. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v8i3.22203
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Roslina Roslina, Syahrizal Abbas, Ilyas Ismail, Iman Jauhari (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms: (1) Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC-BY-SA) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal; (2) Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal; (3) Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website), as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
