Transformation of the Concept of the Sakinah Family from the Perspective of Maqaṣid al-Syari'ah: Dialectics between Fiqh Norms and Social Reality

Abstract

Social transformation, changing family structures, digital technological developments, and increasingly complex gender relations have introduced new challenges to the concept of the sakinah family in contemporary Muslim societies. Traditionally, the concept has been understood through normative fiqh constructions emphasizing the fulfillment of marital rights and obligations, family leadership, and household stability. However, such normative approaches do not fully accommodate contemporary social dynamics, psychological needs, relational equality, and changing patterns of modern family life. This study aims to reconstruct the concept of the sakinah family through the perspective of Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah by examining the dialectic between fiqh norms and contemporary social realities. It employs a qualitative normative legal research design through conceptual, philosophical, and socio-legal analysis based on a comprehensive literature review. The analysis focuses on integrating the principles of the preservation of religion (ḥifẓ al-dīn), life (ḥifẓ al-nafs), intellect (ḥifẓ al-‘aql), lineage (ḥifẓ al-nasl), and wealth (ḥifẓ al-māl) into the conceptualization of family life. The conceptual analysis indicates the need for a paradigm shift from a formal compliance-oriented understanding of the sakinah family toward a substantive approach grounded in public welfare, relational justice, reciprocal responsibility, psychological protection, and adaptation to digital transformation. Accordingly, this study proposes an integrative conceptual framework of the sakinah family encompassing five interconnected dimensions: spiritual, relational, psychological, socioeconomic, and digital. Its principal contribution lies in advancing Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah as a normative and analytical foundation for reconstructing Islamic family law in response to changing social realities while maintaining its normative legitimacy.