The Dynamics and Legal Implications of Unregistered Marriages in Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63077/9e5wjt36Keywords:
Unregistered marriage, Nikah Sirri, Marriage registrationAbstract
Marriage in Islam is a sacred covenant that transcends mere personal or social contracts, emphasizing not only biological and emotional unions but also spiritual and legal ones. In Indonesia, despite the legal framework outlined in Law No. 1 of 1974 and the Compilation of Islamic Law (KHI), the phenomenon of unregistered marriages, known as nikah sirri, continues to be prevalent. These marriages, though religiously valid, lack legal recognition and raise concerns regarding the protection of women's and children's rights. This study explores the conceptual foundations and legal, sociological, and gender-related implications of nikah sirri in Indonesia. Using a qualitative, library-based approach, the research synthesizes Islamic legal theory, Indonesian family law, and socio-legal perspectives to assess the factors driving unregistered marriages, their legal consequences, and the alignment with maqāṣid al-sharīʿah. The findings reveal that while nikah sirri is compatible with religious principles, it undermines the protection of key rights and contradicts both Islamic law and state law objectives. The paper advocates for stronger marriage registration enforcement and public education to bridge the legal gap between religious practices and civil law.
Pernikahan dalam Islam adalah sebuah ikatan suci yang melampaui sekadar kontrak pribadi atau sosial, menekankan tidak hanya persatuan biologis dan emosional, tetapi juga persatuan spiritual dan hukum. Di Indonesia, meskipun terdapat kerangka hukum yang diatur dalam Undang-Undang No. 1 Tahun 1974 dan Kompilasi Hukum Islam (KHI), fenomena pernikahan yang tidak tercatat, yang dikenal dengan istilah nikah sirri, masih banyak ditemukan. Pernikahan ini, meskipun sah secara agama, tidak diakui secara hukum dan menimbulkan kekhawatiran terkait perlindungan hak-hak perempuan dan anak. Penelitian ini mengkaji dasar-dasar konseptual serta implikasi hukum, sosiologis, dan gender dari nikah sirri di Indonesia. Dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif berbasis pustaka, penelitian ini menyintesis teori hukum Islam, hukum keluarga Indonesia, dan perspektif sosiol legal untuk menilai faktor-faktor yang mendorong pernikahan tidak tercatat, akibat hukumnya, serta kesesuaiannya dengan maqāṣid al-sharīʿah. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa meskipun nikah sirri sesuai dengan prinsip agama, pernikahan ini melemahkan perlindungan hak-hak penting dan bertentangan dengan tujuan hukum Islam dan hukum negara. Tulisan ini mengusulkan penguatan penegakan pendaftaran pernikahan dan pendidikan publik untuk menjembatani kesenjangan hukum antara praktik agama dan hukum sipil.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Emilda Sonu, Muhammad Iqbal, Mohamad Subli, Muhamad Sauki Alhabsyi (Author)
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