Nikah in this Economy Perspektif Hukum Islam

Abstract

Social pressures surrounding wedding celebrations compounded by global macroeconomic realities reflected in the phrase "in this economy" pose financial challenges and spark anxiety, particularly among the younger generation, regarding the viability of family life. This study aims to re-examine the urgency and legal status of marriage in the contemporary era through the lenses of maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah (objectives of Islamic law) and maṣlaḥah (public interest) to generate contextual and relevant Islamic legal insights. Employing a qualitative descriptive method with a theoretical and thematic literature-based approach, the data were analyzed using descriptive-inductive techniques to interpret the phenomenon. The findings indicate that the phrase "in this economy" reflects the tension between individual purchasing power and the burden of lifestyle expectations (taḥsīniyyāt), such as lavish receptions; this contrasts with the true essence of marriage, which encompasses the preservation of religion (ḥifẓ al-dīn), life (ḥifẓ al-nafs), intellect (ḥifẓ al-‘aql), lineage (ḥifẓ al-nasl), and property (ḥifẓ al-māl). The study concludes that marriage remains feasible in the current economic climate if principles of public interest are prioritized specifically by simplifying the wedding feast walīmah and emphasizing post-marital financial stability and notes that temporarily postponing marriage is permissible to avert harm (daf‘ al-mafsadah) arising from extreme economic vulnerability.