The  Epistemology of Islamic Family Law in Al Suyuthi Thought: Rainterpreting Sabil al-Muhtadi for Modern Socio Legal Relevance: The epystemologi of Islamic Family Law in al Suyuthi Tought

Aminatur Rosidah; Muhammad Haris Abdul Hakim

doi:10.70062/incoils.v5i1.430

Authors

Aminatur Rosidah UIN Syekh Wasil Kediri
Muhammad Haris Abdul Hakim

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70062/incoils.v5i1.430

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study examines the epistemology of Islamic family law in the thought of Jalaluddin al-Suyuti through an analysis of Sabil al-Muhtadin and explores its relevance to contemporary legal reform. Amid the growing complexity of issues faced by Muslim families such as gender inequality, shifting social dynamics, and tensions between religious and state law this research highlights the need to reconstruct methodological approaches within Islamic legal studies. Using a qualitative hermeneutic and socio-legal framework, the study finds that al-Suyuti’s legal epistemology is grounded in an integration of scriptural texts, rational inquiry, and social reality. His reasoning model does not rely solely on textual sources but also considers maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, customary practice (ʿurf), and the social implications of legal rulings. This approach distinguishes him from both conservative jurisprudential traditions and modern legalistic readings such as Indonesia’s Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI). The findings demonstrate that al-Suyuti offers a moderate, adaptive, and humanistic interpretive framework that remains relevant to contemporary family issues, including gender equity, child protection, and household justice. This study underscores that recontextualizing al-Suyuti’s thought can provide a methodological foundation for equitable and socially responsive reform in Islamic family law. Key words: Islamic Legal Epistemology; Jalaluddin al-Suyuti; Sabil al-Muhtadin; Islamic Family Law; Socio-Legal Studies.

Author Biographies

Aminatur Rosidah, UIN Syekh Wasil Kediri

ABSTRACT: This study examines the epistemology of Islamic family law in the thought of Jalaluddin al-Suyuti through an analysis of Sabil al-Muhtadin and explores its relevance to contemporary legal reform. Amid the growing complexity of issues faced by Muslim families such as gender inequality, shifting social dynamics, and tensions between religious and state law this research highlights the need to reconstruct methodological approaches within Islamic legal studies. Using a qualitative hermeneutic and socio-legal framework, the study finds that al-Suyuti’s legal epistemology is grounded in an integration of scriptural texts, rational inquiry, and social reality. His reasoning model does not rely solely on textual sources but also considers maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, customary practice (ʿurf), and the social implications of legal rulings. This approach distinguishes him from both conservative jurisprudential traditions and modern legalistic readings such as Indonesia’s Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI). The findings demonstrate that al-Suyuti offers a moderate, adaptive, and humanistic interpretive framework that remains relevant to contemporary family issues, including gender equity, child protection, and household justice. This study underscores that recontextualizing al-Suyuti’s thought can provide a methodological foundation for equitable and socially responsive reform in Islamic family law. Key words: Islamic Legal Epistemology; Jalaluddin al-Suyuti; Sabil al-Muhtadin; Islamic Family Law; Socio-Legal Studies.

Muhammad Haris Abdul Hakim

ABSTRACT: This study examines the epistemology of Islamic family law in the thought of Jalaluddin al-Suyuti through an analysis of Sabil al-Muhtadin and explores its relevance to contemporary legal reform. Amid the growing complexity of issues faced by Muslim families such as gender inequality, shifting social dynamics, and tensions between religious and state law this research highlights the need to reconstruct methodological approaches within Islamic legal studies. Using a qualitative hermeneutic and socio-legal framework, the study finds that al-Suyuti’s legal epistemology is grounded in an integration of scriptural texts, rational inquiry, and social reality. His reasoning model does not rely solely on textual sources but also considers maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, customary practice (ʿurf), and the social implications of legal rulings. This approach distinguishes him from both conservative jurisprudential traditions and modern legalistic readings such as Indonesia’s Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI). The findings demonstrate that al-Suyuti offers a moderate, adaptive, and humanistic interpretive framework that remains relevant to contemporary family issues, including gender equity, child protection, and household justice. This study underscores that recontextualizing al-Suyuti’s thought can provide a methodological foundation for equitable and socially responsive reform in Islamic family law. Key words: Islamic Legal Epistemology; Jalaluddin al-Suyuti; Sabil al-Muhtadin; Islamic Family Law; Socio-Legal Studies.

References

Adinugraha, Hendri Hermawan, Syauqie Muhammad Marier, and Rizky Andrean. “An Islamic Legal Review of Smart Contract Regulation in Digital Economic Transactions: A Comparative Study between Indonesia and China.” Articles. Journal of Islamic Law on Digital Economy and Business 1, no. 1 (August 2025): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.20885/JILDEB.vol1.iss1.art1.

Alamudi, Ichwan Ahnaz, Mieke Aprilia Utami, and Sri Ridma Ramadhani. Studi Qawaid Fiqhiyyah: Aspek Ibadat dan Muamalat dalam Kaidah La Dharara Wa La Dhirar. 4 (2024).

Alawiyah, Nur Suci, Mhd Amar Adly, and Heri Firmansyah. “Kaidah المشقه تجلب التيسير Dan Penerapannya Dalam Hukum Keluarga.” ALADALAH: Jurnal Politik, Sosial, Hukum Dan Humaniora 2, no. 4 (2024): 94–107.

Al-Banjari, M. A. B. A. Sabilal Muhtadin. Pustaka Nasional Pte Ltd, 2013. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=aZQwEAAAQBAJ.

Bahri, Syamsul, Makmur Syarif, and Eficandra Eficandra. “AKTUALISASI KAIDAH AL-UMURU BI MAQASHIDIHA DALAM PENCATATAN PERKAWINAN DI INDONESIA.” El-Hekam 7, no. 2 (2022): 241–51.

Inayati, Anindya Aryu, and Agung Barok Pratama. “Epistemology in Islam: The Integration of Science and Religion According to Kuntowijoyo and Its Correlation with the National Law Establishment.” Articles. Tasfiyah: Jurnal Pemikiran Islam 6, no. 1 (February 2022): 65–82. https://doi.org/10.21111/tasfiyah.v6i1.7280.

Ismail, Nur Inani, and Wan Norhaniza Wan Hasan. “Analisis Epistemologi Islam Dalam Fiqh Keutamaan: Islamic Epistemological Analysis in Fiqh of Priority.” The Sultan Alauddin Sulaiman Shah Journal (JSASS) 6, no. 1 (June 2019): 16–29. https://jsass.uis.edu.my/index.php/jsass/article/view/72.

———. “Analisis Epistemologi Islam Dalam Fiqh Keutamaan: Islamic Epistemological Analysis in Fiqh of Priority.” The Sultan Alauddin Sulaiman Shah Journal (JSASS) 6, no. 1 (June 2019): 16–29. https://jsass.uis.edu.my/index.php/jsass/article/view/72.

Mahmud, Hamdan, and Mohd Hatta Hani. UNVEILING THE FIQH TREASURES: KITAB SABILAL MUHTADIN BY SHEIKH MUHAMMAD ARSYAD AL-BANJARI. n.d.

———. UNVEILING THE FIQH TREASURES: KITAB SABILAL MUHTADIN BY SHEIKH MUHAMMAD ARSYAD AL-BANJARI. n.d.

Pancasilawati, Abnan. EPISTEMOLOGI FIQH SABILAL MUHTADIN. n.d.

Rahayu, Sri Ulfa. “KITAB SABILAL MUHTADIN KARYA SYAIKH MUHAMMAD ARSYAD ALBANJARI.” SHAHIH (Jurnal Kewahyuan Islam) 5, no. 2 (November 2022): 62. https://doi.org/10.51900/shh.v5i2.14685.

“Selayang Pandang Sejarah Penyusunan Kompilasi Hukum Islam Di Indonesia.” Articles. Ajudikasi : Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 1, no. 2 (04 2018). https://doi.org/10.30656/ajudikasi.v1i2.496.

Syaifullah, A. “MODERASI ISLAM DALAM KITAB SABILAL MUHTADIN: KEARIFAN LOKAL TANAH BANJAR.” Articles. Muẚṣarah: Jurnal Kajian Islam Kontemporer 2, no. 1 (July 2020): 31–44. https://doi.org/10.18592/msr.v2i1.3676.

Tanuri, Tanuri. “EPISTEMOLOGI HUKUM ISLAM PERSPEKTIF KEBUDAYAAN DOMINAN DI INDONESIA.” Articles. Al-Mashlahah Jurnal Hukum Islam Dan Pranata Sosial 13, no. 01 (May 2025): 23–42. https://doi.org/10.30868/am.v13i01.8249.

ʿAuda, Ǧāsir. Maqasid Al-Shariah as Philosophy of Islamic Law: A Systems Approach. Edited by Ǧāsir ʿAuda. London: The International Inst. of Islamic Thought, 2008.