Diskursus 'Iddah Berpersepktif Gender: Membaca Ulang 'Iddah dengan Metode Dalalah al-Nass

Abstract

Generally ‘iddah only applies to women (wives), with the ultimate goal of knowing the emptiness of wife’s womb. But if indeed the sole purpose of ‘iddah is to know the vacuum of the womb, then it is appropriate that ‘iddah is only for women, for only women have wombs. In this case, it means that ‘iddah only relates to sex (gender) and it is natural. However, the function of ‘iddah is not only to know the cleanliness of a wife’s womb, but from some other wisdom such as the prevention of infectious diseases, the period of reconciliation, upholding marital problems, and also serving a period of mourning when one’s partner dies. The wisdom and purpose of ‘iddah is actually an implementation of the concept of general benefits (al-kulliyat al-khams) namely hifẓ al-dīn (for religion), hifẓ al-nafs (for souls), hifẓ al-‘aql (for minds), hifẓ al-nasl aw al-‘ird (for esteems) dan hifẓ māl (for properties/wealth). By using the method of dalālah al-dalālah, and by taking into account the legal reasoning (‘illah al-ḥukm), it is very logically and legally acceptable that the implementation of ‘iddah is not only for women. The enactment of ‘iddah for women (wives) and men (husbands) is at least more upholding the human dignity and human rights ​​when marriage is concerned. This study uses a philosophical approach, with the aim of trying to find benefit values ​​in syariah law from the concept of ‘iddah, which is based on gender equality.