Analyzing the Impacts of the Waithood Phenomenon from the Prespective of Maqasid al-Shari’ah

Abstract

The increasing tendency of Indonesian youth to postpone marriage (waithood) has raised important legal and social questions regarding its compatibility with the objectives of Islamic law. This study analyzes the waithood phenomenon through the perspective of maqāṣid al-sharī'ah, particularly the principle of ḥifẓ al-nasl (preservation of progeny). Employing a qualitative field research design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with young adults who had postponed marriage and religious leaders in Temanggung Regency, complemented by relevant Islamic legal literature, the Qur'an, Hadith, official statistics, and marriage regulations. The findings reveal two distinct forms of waithood. Sharī'ah-compliant waithood is characterized by temporary postponement based on legitimate reasons, such as financial hardship, educational pursuits, and family responsibilities, and remains consistent with the objectives of maqāṣid al-sharī'ah. In contrast, structural-cultural waithood, driven by fear of marriage, consumerist values, and social media influences, may threaten ḥifẓ al-nasl by weakening family formation and generational continuity. Applying the principle of taysīr, this study proposes balanced policy measures, including accessible marriage facilitation, financial literacy, and community-based premarital counseling. The study contributes a conceptual typology of waithood that enriches contemporary Islamic family law discourse and offers practical guidance for policymakers and religious institutions.