Penetapan Standar Mahar Dalam Tradisi Perkawinan Adat Aceh Perspektif Ibnu Taimiyah (Studi Kasus Desa Gampong Padang, Aceh Selatan)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the determination of the dowry standard in the Acehnese traditional marriage practice in Gampong Padang Village, South Aceh, and to examine whether the practice is consistent with Ibn Taymiyyah’s perspective on dowry. This study employed an empirical normative legal method using an Islamic law approach and field research. Data were obtained through interviews with five informants and supported by observation and documentation. The findings show that the community of Gampong Padang establishes 5 mayam as a customary dowry standard that is considered relatively affordable and intended to facilitate marriage. However, field findings also reveal requests ranging from 5–10 to 15 mayam, which in certain cases exceed the prospective husband’s financial capacity and result in delayed or cancelled marriage plans before the marriage contract. From Ibn Taymiyyah’s perspective, the 5-mayam customary standard is not a provision established by Ibn Taymiyyah, but its practice is consistent with his principle of facilitating and reducing the burden of dowry when applied flexibly, voluntarily, and according to the prospective husband’s ability. Conversely, imposing a high dowry on an incapable prospective husband may contradict the principle of takhfīf al-ṣadāq and may be considered haram when it involves injustice, excessive burden, and obstruction of marriage