Navigating Islam and Human Rights: Examining Women's Right to Refuse Pregnancy in Indonesia

Erfaniah Zuhriah; Nur Alfy Syahriana; Zezen Zainul Ali

doi:10.19184/jseahr.v8i2.42631

Authors

Erfaniah Zuhriah State Islamic University Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, Indonesia
Nur Alfy Syahriana State Islamic University Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang, Indonesia
Zezen Zainul Ali Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University Yogyakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19184/jseahr.v8i2.42631

Keywords:

Womenâ€™s rights, womenâ€™s perspectives, Islamic legal construction, discrimination

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine whether women have the right to refuse pregnancy. This idea is an Islamic jurisprudence initiated by KH. Husein Muhammad, an Indonesian feminist scholar. This study analyzes the reasons for the emergence of Husein Muhammad's thoughts and provides constructive criticism. The article argues that in Indonesian society, married couples are always required to have children in their marriage. This demand leaves women with no opportunity to bargain over their position as bearers of the reproductive function, and even forces them to become pregnant. In contrast, Islam strongly upholds the interests and justice for women. By using a qualitative approach and literature, as well as data obtained by collecting references and documentation in accordance with the research theme, it was found that Husein Muhammad’s concept of women having the right to refuse pregnancy was influenced not only by the meaning of the text but also by the externalization of thoughts that arose as a result of the process of interaction and dialectics with the people around him. The objectivation process is carried out in the process of Husein Muhammad's self-interpretation of the knowledge that has been obtained, shaped by his history of studying women’s issues. Husein Muhammad based his thoughts on Islamic principles, namely justice, deliberation, equality, and peace. Therefore, the right to refuse pregnancy can be categorized as a natural right in human rights. However, the right is still bound to other aspects and is not fully applicable.

Keywords: Women’s Rights, Women’s Perspectives, Islamic Legal Construction, Discrimination, Husein Muhammad

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

A, Nurhidajat D, Kusumawati, “The Effectiveness of The Action to Accelerate The Reduction of Maternal Mortality Rate in Indonesia” (2018) 2:1 J Anggar Dan Keuang Negara Indones AKURASI.

Akmal, Zainab & Sheikh Adnan Ahmed Usmani, “Digital Rights and Women’s Empowerment in Pakistan: An Analysis of Contemporary Islamic Legal Perspectives in the Age of Social Media” (2024) 3:1 MILRev Metro Islam Law Rev 95.

Al Hanim, Jihan, Hak-hak reproduksi perempuan dalam pemikiran Husein Muhammad dan Asghar Ali Engineer (Undergraduate thesis, Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim, 2017) [unpublished].

Ali, Zezen Zainul & Annisa Wulandari, “FAMILY REHARMONIZATION AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF MUBȂDALAH” (2023) 22:2 Marwah J Peremp Agama Dan Jender, online: <https://ejournal.uin-suska.ac.id/index.php/marwah/article/view/1-15>.

Alkostar, Artidjo, Pengadilan HAM, Indonesia, dan Peradabannya (Yogyakarta: PUSHAM UII, 2004).

Al-Sheikh, Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Abdurahman bin Ishaq et al, Tafsir Ibnu Katsir Jilid 1 (Bogor: Pustaka Imam Asy-Syafi’i, 2004).

Aris, Seno, “Pemikiran Masdar Farid Masudi tentang Hak Reproduksi Wanita” (2020) 5:1 BUANA Gend J Studi Gend Dan Anak 55–64.

Arnez, Monika, “Gender, Islam and Sexuality in Contemporary Indonesia: An Overview” in Monika Arnez & Melani Budianta, eds, Gend Islam Sex Contemp Indones Engaging Indonesia (Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore, 2024) 1.

Asmanidar, “Suluk dan Perubahan Perilaku Sosial Salik (Telaah Teori Konstruksi Sosial Peter L Berger dan Thomas Luckman)” (2021) 1:1 Abrahamic Relig J Studi Agama-Agama.

Aspandi, Aspandi et al, “Epistemology of Maqasid Taha Abdurrahman; New Paradigm and Classification of Maqasid al-Shari’ah Values” (2024) 35:1 Tribakti J Pemikir Keislam 95–108.

Asy-Syaukani, Al Imam Muhammad bin Ali bin Muhammad & terj Amir Hamzah Fachruddin, Tafsir Fathul Qadir Jilid 1 (Jakarta: Pustaka Azzam, 2013).

Asy-Syaukani, Al Imam Muhammad bin Ali bin Muhammad, Tafsir Fathul Qadir (Jakarta: Pustaka Azzam, 2013).

At-Tirmidzi, Muhammad bin Isa, Sunan Tirmidzi Juz 1 (Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1988).

Az-Zuhaili, Wahbah, Fiqih Islam wa Adillatuhu Jilid 9 (Jakarta: Gema Insani, 2011).

———, Tafsir Al-Munir Aqidah, Syari’ah, Manhaj (Jakarta: Gema Insani, 2013).

Berger, Peter L & Thomas Luckmann, The Social Construction of Reality A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge (New York: Doubleday & Company, 1966).

Bunch, Charlotte & Niamh Reilly, “Women’s Rights as Human Rights: Twenty-Five Years On” in Niamh Reilly, ed, Int Hum Rights Women International Human Rights (Singapore: Springer Singapore, 2019) 21.

Buser, Julie M, “Women’s Reproductive Rights Are Global Human Rights” (2022) 33:5 J Transcult Nurs 565–566.

Busher, Joel & Tore Bjørgo, “Restraint in Rerrorist Groups and Radical Milieus: Towards a Research Agenda” (2020) 14:6 Perspect Terror, online: <https://www.jstor.org/stable/26964721>.

Connelly, Catherine E et al, “Understanding knowledge hiding in organizations” (2019) 40:7 J Organ Behav 779–782.

Damanik, Yeyen, “Pengetahuan Ibu Hamil Tentang Hiv/Aids dan Penularan Dari Ibu Ke Bayi di Puskesmas Tambun Nabolon Kota Pematangsiantar Tahun 2020” (2020) 5:1 J Health Reprod.

Davey, Melissa, “Why is it such a scandalous thing?’: the women who have to fight for their right to be child-free”, (1 August 2021), online: The Guardian <https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/jan/08/why-is-it-such-a-scandalous-thing-the-women-who-have-to-fight-for-their-right-to-be-child-free>.

Dharma, Ferry Adhi, “The Social Construction of Reality: Peter L. Berger’s Thoughts About Social Reality” (2019) 7:1 Kanal J Ilmu Komun.

Faisol, Syahid Akhmad & Hawa’ Hidayatul Hikmiyah, “Hak Reproduksi Perempuan Dalam Pemikiran Husein Muhammad Dan Masdar Farid Mas’udi” (2023) 9:2 Asy-Syariah J Huk Islam, online: <https://ejournal.unzah.ac.id/index.php/assyariah/article/view/1129>.

França, Thais, “‘No less of a woman’: examining the (invisible) life of childfree women academics during the COVID-19 pandemic” (2022) 31:8 J Gend Stud 956–968.

Gumiandari, Septi & Ilman Nafi’a, “Husein Muhammad’s Progressive Thinking About Female Jurisprudence; A Descriptive Analyctical Study” (2019) 4:2 Mahkamah J Kaji Huk Islam.

Haddad, Yvonne Yazbeck, “Muslims, Human Rights, and Women’s Rights” in Thomas Banchoff & Robert Wuthnow, eds, Relig Glob Polit Hum Rights (Oxford University Press, 2011) 71.

Hanandita, Tiara, “Konstruksi Masyarakat Tentang Hidup Tanpa Anak Setelah Menikah” (2022) 11:1 J Anal Sosiol.

Haque, Arina et al, “THE DOMESTIC RIGHTS OF THE WIFE (Viewed from KH. Husein Muhammad’s Thoughts)” (2022) 17:1 EGALITA.

Harris, Isiah D et al, “Fertility and the aging male” (2011) 13:4 Rev Urol e184-190.

Hesti, Nurkolistiana, Hak-hak reproduksi perempuan perspektif Masdar Farid Mas’udi (Undergraduate thesis, STAIN Ponorogo, 2015) [unpublished].

Idris, Ahmad Rusyaid, Muhammad Khusaini & Syaiful Anwar Al-Mansyuri, “Contemporary Islamic Law in Indonesia: the Fulfillment of Child Custody Rights in Divorce Cases Caused by Early Marriage” (2024) 3:1 MILRev Metro Islam Law Rev 1.

Jafar, Wahyu Abdul et al, “The Childfree Phenomenon Based on Islamic Law and Its Respond on Muslim Society” (2023) 8:2 November Al-Istinbath J Huk Islam 389.

Jahroh, Siti, “NOT NINE BUT EIGHTEEN: Husein Muhammad on Aisha’s Marriage Age” (2022) 15:1 Al-Ahwal J Huk Kel Islam 61–61.

Kamalludin, Iqbal et al, “Revitalizing Justice in Fiqh: Revisiting Non-Retroactive Principles to Address Sexual Violence” (2024) 7:2 Ulul Albab J Studi Dan Penelit Huk Islam 136.

Kanafi, Imam et al, “The contribution of Ahlussunnah Waljamaah’s theology in establishing moderate Islam in Indonesia” (2021) 77:4 HTS Teol Stud Theol Stud.

Kementerian Kesehatan, “Turunkan AKI-AKB, Kemenkes Pertajam Transformasi Sistem Kesehatan” (2021) kemkes.go.id, online: <https://www.kemkes.go.id/article/view/21122400006/turunkan-aki-akb-kemenkes-pertajam-transformasi-sistem-kesehatan.html>.

Kementrian Agama RI, Al-Qur’an dan Terjemahnya (Jakarta Timur: Latnah Pentashihan Mushaf Al-Qur’an, 2019).

Khasanah, Uswatul & Muhammad Rosyid Ridho, “Childfree Perspektif Hak Reproduksi Perempuan dalam Islam” (2021) 3:2 Al-Syakhsiyyah J Law Fam Stud 104–128.

Kodir, Faqihuddin Abdul, Qira’ah Mubadalah (Tafsir Progresif untuk Keadilan Gender dalam Islam) (Yogyakarta: IRCiSoD, 2019).

Lailla, Hikmah Noer, Hak Reproduksi Perempuan Untuk Menolak Kehamilan (Studi Pendekatan Normatif Pemikiran Husein Muhammad) (Undergraduate thesis, UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin, 2022) [unpublished].

Latifa, Rena, Komaruddin Hidayat & Akhmad Sodiq, “Commentary on Place Spirituality: An Islamic perspective” (2019) 41:1 Arch Psychol Relig 38–42.

Locke, John, Two Treatise of Government (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003).

Mas’udi, Masdar Farid, Islam dan Hak-Hak Reproduksi Perempuan (Bandung: Mizan, 1997).

Massoud, Mark Fathi, “Muslim women are using Sharia to push for gender equality”, (18 May 2021), online: The Conversation <https://theconversation.com/muslim-women-are-using-sharia-to-push-for-gender-equality-158371>.

Mayer, Ann Elizabeth, “Women’s Human Rights and the Islamic Tradition” (1997) 17 Annu Soc Christ Ethics 311–17.

Mediaindonesiacom, “Inilah Dampak dan Risiko Biologis Pilihan Childfree” (2021) Media Indones.

Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, “Inilah Risiko Hamil Usia Remaja”, (30 September 2017), online: sehatnegeriku.kemkes.go.id <https://sehatnegeriku.kemkes.go.id/baca/umum/20170930/5823163/inilah-risiko-hamil-usia-remaja/>.

Muhamad, Husein, Fiqh Perempuan: Refleksi Kiai atas wacana Agama dan Gender (Yogyakarta: LKiS Pelangi Aksara, 2001).

Muhammad Khatibul Umam & Nano Romadlon Auliya Akbar, “Childfree Pasca Pernikahan: Keadilan Hak-Hak Reproduksi Perempuan Perspektif Masdar Farid Mas’udi dan Al-Ghazali” (2021) 3:2 Al-Manhaj J Indones Islam Fam Law 157–172.

Muhammad, Abu Abdullah, Sunan Ibnu Majah (Dar ar-Risalah al-’Alamiyah, 2009).

———, Islam Agama Ramah Perempuan Pembelaan Kiai Pesantren (Yogyakarta: LKiS Yogyakarta, 2007).

———, Perempuan Ulama Di Atas Panggung Sejarah (Yogyakarta: IRCiSoD, 2020).

Muhammad, Husein, Islam Agama Ramah Perempuan (Yogyakarta: IRCiSoD, 2021).

Muhsin, Sayyed Mohamed, “Islamic Jurisprudence on Harm Versus Harm Scenarios in Medical Confidentiality” (2024) 36:2 HEC Forum 291–316.

Nur Hidayah, Okti, Musyafangah & Ahmad Rezy Meidina, “Analysis of the Rights and Obligations of Husband and Wife in the Compilation of Islamic Law: A Review from the Perspective of Gender Equality” (2023) 6:1 Legitima J Huk Kel Islam 1–15.

Nurhayati, E, Psikologi Perempuan dalam Berbagai Perspektif (Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 2012).

Raday, Frances, “Womens Autonomy Equality Reproductive Health”, (December 2017), online: OHCHR <https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/Women/WG/WomensAutonomyEqualityReproductiveHealth.pdf>.

Rokom, “Kemenkes Perkuat Upaya Penyelamatan Ibu dan Bayi” (2021) sehatnegeriku.kemkes.go.id, online: <https://sehatnegeriku.kemkes.go.id/baca/umum/20210914/3738491/kemenkes-perkuat-upaya-penyelamatan-ibu-dan-bayi/>.

Rubiyanto, Eko & Munsharif Abdul Chalim, “Counter Terrorism: Case Study On The Radicals Religious Group” (2018) 1:4 J Daulat Huk 869–869.

Rufaida, Arini, “Hak Istri Menolak Rujuk Perspektif Islam dan Gender” (2019) 14:2 Yinyang J Studi Islam Gend Dan Anak 245–270.

Sabiq, Sayid, Fikih Sunah Juz 2 (Beirut: Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi, 1977).

Salojärvi, Juhana Mikael, Human Rights Redefining Legal Thought: The History of Human Rights Discourse in Finnish Legal Scholarship, Studies in the History of Law and Justice (Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2020).

Sari, Nirmala, “Karakteristik Penyebab Kanker Payudara” (2021) 16:1 J Ilm PANNMED Pharm Anal Nurse Nutr Midwivery Environ Dent 177–181.

Schmitz, Cathryne L & Shirley Gatenio Gabel, “Women, Human Rights, and Gender Equality” (2023) 8:4 J Hum Rights Soc Work 359–360.

Sciortino, Rosalia, Lies Marcoes Natsir & Masdar F Mas’udi, “Learning from Islam: Advocacy of reproductive rights in Indonesian Pesantren” (1996) 4:8 Reprod Health Matters 86–96.

Septiani, Dinda & Itto Nesyia Nasution, “The Role of Dad’s Involvement in Parenting Development of Moral Intelligence of Children” (2017) 13:2 J Psikol.

Serour, G I, “Ethical issues in human reproduction: Islamic perspectives” (2013) 29:11 Gynecol Endocrinol 949–952.

Serour, Gi, “Islamic perspectives in human reproduction” (2008) 17 Reprod Biomed Online 34–38.

———, Tafsir al-Misbah (Pesan, Kesan, dan Keserasian al-Qur’an) Volume II (Jakarta: Lentera Hati, 2002).

Shihab, M Quraish, Tafsir Al-Misbah Pesan, Kesan, Dan Keserasian Al-Qur’an (Jakarta: Lentera Hati, 2002).

Sormin, Ihwan & Zezen Zainul Ali, “The Comparative Study of the Protection of Women’s Rights in Article 463 of the New Criminal Code with Law Number 36 of 2009 Concerning Health Perspective of Jaser Auda” (2023) 2:2 MILRev Metro Islam Law Rev 187–198.

Suarayasa, Ketut, Strategi Menurunkan Angka Kematian (AKI) di Indonesia (Yogyakarta: Deepublish, 2020).

Sudjatmoko, Andrey, Hukum HAM dan Hukum Humaniter (Jakarta: Grafindo Persada, 2015).

Syaifudin, Imam, “Pandangan Perempuan Tentang Hak Menolak Kehamilan Perspektif KH. Husein Muhammad” (20) 4:3 SAKINA, online: <http://urj.uin-malang.ac.id/index.php/jfs/article/view/607>.

Syed, Khalida Tanvir, “Misconceptions About Human Rights and Women’s Rights in Islam” (2008) 39:2 Interchange 245–257.

Warsito, Warsito, “Hadist Perintah Memperbanyak Keturunan Tinjuan Textual dan Kontekstual dalam Prespektif Ekonomi” (2018) 4:1 Riwayah J Studi Hadis 147–147.

Wodon, Quentin, “Islamic Law, Women’s Rights, and State Law: The Cases of Female Genital Cutting and Child Marriage” (2015) 13:3 Rev Faith Int Aff 81–91.

Yuliani, Putri Anisa, “Angka Kematian Ibu Hamil Masih Tinggi, Ini Upaya Kemenkes RI” (2021) Media Indones, online: <https://mediaindonesia.com/humaniora/426546/angka-kematian-ibu-hamil-masih-tinggi-ini-upaya-kemenkes-ri>.

Zuhriah, Erfaniah et al, “Childfree, the Digital Era, and Islamic Law: Views of Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, and Gender Activists in Malang, Indonesia” (2023) 7:3 Samarah J Huk Kel Dan Huk Islam 1606.