Rethinking the Sakinah Family: A Maqasid al-Shariah Framework for Muslim Family Resilience in Contemporary Society

Abstract

Contemporary Muslim families face increasingly complex challenges arising from social transformation, economic pressures, shifting gender roles, digitalization, and changing expectations regarding marital relationships. These developments necessitate a critical reconsideration of the traditional concept of the sakinah family, which has often been understood primarily through the normative ideals of marital tranquility, harmony, and religious obedience. This study aims to reconceptualize the sakinah family through the framework of Maqasid al-Shariah and develop a comprehensive understanding of Muslim family resilience in contemporary society. Employing a qualitative approach through normative-conceptual research and critical literature analysis, the study examines classical and contemporary Islamic legal scholarship, family resilience theories, and the multidimensional objectives of Islamic law. The conceptual analysis identifies five interconnected dimensions of family resilience: spiritual integrity, emotional well-being, intellectual development, economic sustainability, and intergenerational protection. These dimensions demonstrate how Maqasid al-Shariah can provide an integrative ethical framework that extends beyond the preservation of marital stability toward the realization of justice, mutual responsibility, adaptability, and human dignity within family relationships. The study further proposes that a resilient sakinah family should be understood not merely as a conflict-free household but as a dynamic social institution capable of managing challenges through equitable relationships, constructive communication, and shared ethical commitments. This framework offers theoretical contributions to contemporary Islamic family law and practical implications for family counseling, marital education, and family-oriented social policies.