State Intervention in Polygamy Law: Indonesia and Saudi Arabia in Comparative Perspective
Keywords:
State Intervention, Polygamy Regulation, Women's Protection, Individual Freedom, Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ahAbstract
This study examines state intervention in polygamy regulation in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia and its implications for women’s protection and individual freedom. Using a normative legal research design with statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches, the study analyzes legal frameworks, scholarly literature, and Islamic legal principles governing polygamous marriage in both countries. The findings reveal two contrasting regulatory models. Indonesia adopts a preventive approach through judicial authorization and administrative requirements intended to protect women and children, whereas Saudi Arabia grants greater autonomy to individuals by relying primarily on religious obligations and post-facto legal remedies. These differences reflect distinct legal traditions, social contexts, and understandings of the state’s role in family law. From the perspective of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, both models seek to realize justice and public welfare, yet each presents different strengths and limitations. The study argues that an effective polygamy regulation framework should balance legal protection, individual autonomy, and the substantive objectives of Islamic law.
Abstrak
Penelitian ini mengkaji intervensi negara dalam regulasi poligami di Indonesia dan Arab Saudi serta implikasinya terhadap perlindungan perempuan dan kebebasan individu. Penelitian menggunakan metode hukum normatif dengan pendekatan perundang-undangan, konseptual, dan komparatif melalui analisis terhadap regulasi, literatur akademik, dan prinsip-prinsip hukum Islam yang mengatur praktik poligami di kedua negara. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya dua model pengaturan yang berbeda. Indonesia menerapkan pendekatan preventif melalui izin pengadilan dan persyaratan administratif untuk melindungi perempuan dan anak, sedangkan Arab Saudi memberikan ruang yang lebih luas bagi otonomi individu dengan menitikberatkan pada kewajiban syariat dan mekanisme perlindungan setelah terjadinya perkawinan. Perbedaan tersebut mencerminkan variasi tradisi hukum, konteks sosial, dan pandangan mengenai peran negara dalam hukum keluarga. Dalam perspektif maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah, kedua model sama-sama berorientasi pada keadilan dan kemaslahatan, namun memiliki kelebihan dan keterbatasan masing-masing. Oleh karena itu, regulasi poligami perlu menyeimbangkan perlindungan hukum, kebebasan individu, dan tujuan substantif hukum Islam.
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