Ahmad Izzuddin, Mohammad Fauzan Ni’ami, Abd. Rouf, Moh. Irfan

From Exclusivism to Openness: Deconstructing the Role of Deaf Individuals as Marriage Witnesses in the Compilation of Islamic Law

Introduction

From exclusivism to openness: deconstructing the role of deaf individuals as marriage witnesses in the compilation of islamic law. Deconstructs the exclusion of deaf individuals as marriage witnesses in Indonesian Islamic Law (KHI). Argues for reinterpretation via maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah to uphold equality and justice.

Abstract

The role of marriage witnesses for deaf individuals has been a subject of debate among various Islamic schools of thought. The Compilation of Islamic Law (Kompilasi Hukum Islam or KHI), as Indonesia’s codified Islamic jurisprudence, adopts the view of scholars who prohibit deaf individuals from serving as marriage witnesses. This article critically examines the KHI’s stance, arguing that it marginalizes deaf individuals in the marriage process. This study employs a normative approach, utilizing Auda’s maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah concept. The findings reveal that the exclusion of deaf individuals as marriage witnesses stems from the KHI’s restrictive interpretation, which is rooted in classical fiqh. As a legal product influenced by Shafi’i jurisprudence, the KHI maintains the requirement that marriage witnesses must have both auditory and visual capabilities. However, through the principles of openness and purposefulness in Auda’s maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, this study argues that hearing-impaired individuals possess the necessary qualifications to serve as marriage witnesses. In contemporary society, deaf individuals effectively communicate through various means, including sign language and assistive technologies. Therefore, a legal reinterpretation based on universal Islamic values—particularly those emphasizing equality and justice—is both necessary and justified. [Peran saksi pernikahan bagi individu tunarungu telah menjadi perdebatan di antara berbagai mazhab fikih. Kompilasi Hukum Islam (KHI) mengadopsi pandangan ulama yang melarang individu tunarungu menjadi saksi pernikahan. Artikel ini secara kritis meninjau pandangan KHI, dengan berargumen bahwa ketentuan tersebut (sengaja) meminggirkan individu tunarungu dalam proses pernikahan. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan normatif dengan memanfaatkan kerangka maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah ala Auda. Temuan penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa eksklusi terhadap individu tunarungu sebagai saksi pernikahan berasal dari interpretasi KHI yang terbatas, yang berakar pada doktrin fikih klasik. Sebagai produk hukum yang banyak dipengaruhi oleh mazhab Syafi’i, KHI menetapkan bahwa saksi pernikahan harus memiliki kemampuan mendengar dan melihat. Namun, melalui prinsip keterbukaan dan ‘kebertujuan’ dalam maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah Auda, penelitian ini berpendapat bahwa individu dengan gangguan pendengaran tetap memenuhi kualifikasi untuk menjadi saksi pernikahan. Dalam masyarakat kontemporer, individu tunarungu dapat berkomunikasi secara efektif melalui berbagai sarana, termasuk bahasa isyarat dan teknologi pembantu. Oleh karena itu, reinterpretasi hukum berdasarkan nilai-nilai universal Islam—khususnya yang menekankan kesetaraan dan keadilan—dapat dibenarkan.]

Review

This article, "From Exclusivism to Openness: Deconstructing the Role of Deaf Individuals as Marriage Witnesses in the Compilation of Islamic Law," critically examines a contentious issue within Indonesian Islamic jurisprudence. It highlights the historical debate surrounding the eligibility of deaf individuals to serve as marriage witnesses, particularly within the framework of the Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI). The authors argue compellingly that the KHI's current stance, which prohibits deaf individuals from this role based on classical fiqh interpretations, is exclusionary and effectively marginalizes a significant segment of the community. The paper sets out to challenge this restrictive view, advocating for a more inclusive understanding that aligns with contemporary societal realities and universal Islamic values. To achieve its objective, the study employs a normative approach, grounding its analysis in the innovative framework of Auda’s *maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah*. The core findings reveal that the KHI's prohibition is rooted in a narrow, classical interpretation, heavily influenced by Shafi’i jurisprudence, which mandates both auditory and visual capabilities for witnesses. However, by leveraging Auda's principles of openness and purposefulness, the research persuasively argues that this traditional requirement no longer holds absolute validity. It underscores that deaf individuals in contemporary society possess robust communication methods, including sign language and assistive technologies, thereby fulfilling the essential qualification of understanding and bearing witness. The article's significant contribution lies in its call for a necessary and justified legal reinterpretation of the KHI's provisions. By advocating for a revised understanding based on universal Islamic values of equality and justice, the authors not only challenge an entrenched legal position but also promote a more compassionate and inclusive application of Islamic law. This work is highly relevant for policymakers, legal scholars, and advocates for disability rights, offering a compelling case for adapting legal frameworks to reflect modern communication capabilities and uphold fundamental principles of fairness within religious legal systems.

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