Islamic Legal Reform and Gender Justice: Reinterpreting Fiqh in the Context of Contemporary Muslim Societies

Abstract

Abstract

Debates surrounding gender justice within Muslim societies continue to
shape contemporary Islamic legal discourse. While classical fiqh developed
within specific socio-historical contexts, modern realities demand renewed
interpretative engagement to ensure compatibility with principles of justice,
equality, and human dignity. This article examines the role of Islamic legal
reform in advancing gender justice through the reinterpretation of fiqh
within contemporary Muslim societies. Using a qualitative normative
approach combined with socio-legal analysis, this study explores the
application of maqasid al-shariah, contextual ijtihad, and hermeneutical
reinterpretation in reforming family law provisions. The findings
demonstrate that Islamic legal tradition contains methodological flexibility
that allows reinterpretation without undermining doctrinal authenticity.
However, political resistance, institutional conservatism, and sociocultural
norms remain significant obstacles. The article argues that sustainable
reform requires a balanced paradigm integrating classical legal methodology
with contemporary human rights discourse while maintaining theological
legitimacy. 

Keywords: Islamic legal reform, gender justice, fiqh reinterpretation, maqasid al-shariah, ijtihad, Muslim family law.