Women’s Rights Protection in Polygamous Marriages: A Comparative Study of Islamic Family Law in Malaysia and Indonesia

Jufri zal; Nella Liandini; Hilda Rahmatul Jannah

doi:10.15548/alahkam.v17i1.12634

Women’s Rights Protection in Polygamous Marriages: A Comparative Study of Islamic Family Law in Malaysia and Indonesia

Jufri zal, Nella Liandini, Hilda Rahmatul Jannah

Abstract

This study examines the legal protection of women’s rights in polygamous marriages under Islamic family law in Indonesia and Malaysia. Although both countries share Islamic legal foundations, they adopt different regulatory approaches that raise questions about the effectiveness of women’s rights protection. This study aims to compare the legal frameworks governing polygamy in both countries and assess their implications for women’s rights. Using a qualitative method with a normative-comparative approach, the study analyzes legislation, legal documents, and relevant academic literature. The findings reveal that Indonesia adopts a restrictive-administrative approach through marriage legislation and the Compilation of Islamic Law, emphasizing judicial authorization and requirements intended to safeguard wives’ rights. Malaysia employs a substantive-judicial approach through its Syariah Court system, which assesses financial capability, fairness, and family welfare (maslahah) before granting permission for polygamy. Despite these differences, both systems seek to reconcile Islamic principles with the protection of women within polygamous marriages. However, the effectiveness of legal protection remains dependent on consistent enforcement, gender-sensitive judicial decision-making, and public awareness of women’s rights. This study contributes to comparative Islamic family law scholarship by identifying the strengths and limitations of these two regulatory models and highlighting the importance of translating formal legal safeguards into substantive justice for women.

Keywords

Gender Justice; Islamic Family Law; Polygamy

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.15548/alahkam.v17i1.12634