Critical Analysis of the Concept of Qirā'ah Mubādalah (Theory of Reciprocal Reading) in the Dynamics of the Development of Islamic Marriage Legal Theory

M. Azik

Ahmad Syukri

 

Abstract: The issue of gender equality in Islamic law has become a rapidly growing debate, particularly in relation to women's rights in marriage. The theory of Qirā'ah Mubādalah (Theory of Reciprocal Reading), popularised by Faqihuddin Abdul Kodir, offers a hermeneutic approach that emphasises reciprocity (Mubādalah) in the interpretation of Al-Qur’an and Hadith texts. This progressive approach to Islamic law seeks to strike a balance between the rights, obligations, and priorities of men and women. This article critically analyses Qirā'ah Mubādalah in the context of the development of the legal theory of Islamic marriage. It examines the epistemological foundation of Qirā'ah Mubādalah, its compatibility with classical Islamic legal principles, and its potential implementation in the reformulation of Islamic marriage law that is more gender-fair. Using a qualitative approach, this article analyses the literature on gender in Islam and marriage law. It identifies the potential and challenges of the implementation of Qirā'ah Mubādalah. The analysis presented in this article contributes to the development of Islamic thinking that is more responsive to gender equality, as well as provides alternative solutions in the reformulation of Islamic marriage law that is fairer.