The Limits of Fatwa Discourse on Women’s Rights in Divorce: A Gender Justice Perspective from Indonesia and Jordan
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Divorce Fatwas, Women’s Rights, Islamic Family Law, Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah, Gender Justice
Abstract
This article investigates the construction of women’s rights in divorce within contemporary Islamic legal discourse through a comparative analysis of fatwas issued by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and Jordanian Dār al-Iftā’ (JDI). The study is prompted by the rising number of women initiating divorce and the increasing incidence of children lacking adequate financial support from their fathers, with mothers often assuming this responsibility. Employing a normative socio-legal methodology, the research utilizes qualitative content analysis of fatwa documents in conjunction with relevant legal frameworks. The analysis is informed by the principles of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah and perspectives on Islamic gender justice. The findings reveal that both MUI and JDI predominantly adopt a literalist approach grounded in classical fiqh traditions. Although women’s rights in divorce are acknowledged, they are generally framed within established doctrinal boundaries and are not consistently articulated from a broader rights-based perspective. Notably, the paternal obligation to provide financial support for children is not always explicitly emphasized within fatwa discourse. In contrast, national legal systems—such as Indonesia’s Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI) and Jordan’s Personal Status Law—offer clearer and more enforceable provisions. This study underscores the necessity of harmonizing religious interpretations with legal frameworks to enhance the effective protection of women’s and children’s rights.
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