The Gendered Politics of Maslahah: Patriarchal Tendencies in the Legal and Judicial Justification of Polygamy
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Abstract
Polygamy is a controversial issue. Its existence is justified on the grounds of welfare (maslahah). However, the concept of maslahah is often interpreted in a biased manner that favors men. This article poses two questions. Firstly, why does the interpretation of public welfare that disadvantages women occur in polygamy law? Second, what are the ideal conditions for polygamy based on the interpretation of public welfare in the Qur’an? The research employs qualitative methods, a critical discourse analysis approach, and theories of patriarchy and power relations. Data collection includes a literature review of scientific articles, books, and legal documents related to polygamy in Indonesia. The findings reveal that patriarchal discourse on polygamy has shaped the meaning of maslahah. The spirit of maslahah is overshadowed by patriarchal power relations. State power, culture, and discourse have shaped these relations. State legal products in the form of regulations and judicial decisions demonstrate that the state acts as an agent of patriarchy, legalizing the concept of maslahah to benefit men. Culture further reinforces the discourse of maslahah that harms women. This article proposes a reinterpretation of the concept of maslahah as a consideration for polygamy, in line with the objectives of the Qur'an. The consideration of public welfare must shift from individual and biological interests to social ones. The conditions for polygamy must change, not based on the wife's infertility or physical disabilities. Instead, they should be based on the woman to be married, with the condition that she must be a widow with children as paternal orphans.
Poligami merupakan isu yang kontroversial. Keberadaannya mendapat legitimasi dengan alasan kemaslahatan. Namun, konsep kemaslahatan sering mendapat tafsir bias yang menguntungkan laki-laki. Artikel ini mengajukan dua pertanyaan. Pertama, mengapa pemaknaan kemaslahatan yang merugikan perempuan terjadi dalam hukum poligami? Kedua, bagaimana syarat poligami yang ideal berdasarkan pemaknaan kemaslahatan dalam Al-Qur’an? Penelitian menggunakan metode kualitatif, pendekatan analisis wacana kritis, dan teori patriarki serta relasi kuasa. Pengumpulan data berasal dari literatur review seperti artikel ilmiah, buku, dan dokumen hukum yang berkaitan dengan poligami. Hasilnya menemukan bahwa diskursus yang bias patriarki pada poligami telah membentuk makna kemaslahatan. Spirit kemaslahatan berada di bawah bayang relasi kuasa patriarki. Kekuasaan negara, budaya dan wacana telah membentuk relasi tersebut. Produk hukum negara dalam bentuk regulasi maupun judikasi memperlihatkan negara menjadi agen patriarki yang melegalkan konsep kemaslahatan untuk menguntungkan laki-laki. Budaya turut memperkuat wacana kemaslahatan yang merugikan perempuan. Artikel ini mengusulkan pemaknaan ulang atas konsep kemaslahatan sebagai pertimbangan poligami, yang sesuai dengan tujuan Al-Quran. Pertimbangan kemaslahatan harus berubah dari kepentingan individual dan biologis menjadi sosial. Syarat poligami harus berubah, bukan berada pada kondisi istri yang tidak subur atau cacat fisik. Tetapi pada perempuan yang akan dinikahi, dengan syarat harus janda yang mempunyai anak yatim.
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