Family Priority Rights in The Quran and Their Limits: A Maqāṣidī Exegetical Study of The Verses on Qarābah

Ruston Nawawi

doi:10.28918/a1yqqh43

Authors

Ruston Nawawi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.28918/a1yqqh43

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Family occupies an important position in the Quran. Some verses instruct Muslims to maintain kinship ties, honor their parents, and support relatives in need. This demonstrates that Islam places considerable emphasis on the family and grants it certain priority rights. At the same time, the Quran makes clear that such priority isn’t without limits. Family interests should never override truth, justice, or obedience to God. In contemporary society, issues such as nepotism and the tendency to favor family members over the public interest are frequently encountered. Therefore, a proper understanding of family priority rights from the perspective of the Quran is important. Method: This study is a library based qualitative research. It employs a maqāṣidī approach to Quranic interpretation in examining four verses that explicitly reflect different forms of family priority, they are QS. As-Syūrā (42): 23, QS. Al-Baqarah (2):177, QS. Asy-Syu’ārā’ (26):214, dan al-Baqarah (2):124 and maqāṣid oriented perspectives, including Tafsīr al-Munīr, Anwār at-Tanzīl, Fatḥul Qadīr, and Rūḥul Bayān.

Main Results: The study finds that the Quran recognizes family priority rights in four domains; they are affection, economic support, da’wah, and leadership. From a maqāṣid perspective, these priorities correspond to the objectives of ḥifẓ ad-dīn, ḥifẓ an-nafs, ḥifẓ an-nasl, ḥifẓ al-māl, while leadership priority is subject to the principles of justice and public welfare. The study also identifies the underlying values of al-insāniyyah and al-ḥurriyyah ma’al mas’ūliyyah as the inner maqāṣid governing family relations. Contributions: This study contributes to elucidate the concept of family priority in the Quran from a maqāṣidī perspective. By doing this research, it goes beyond the textual meaning of the verses to uncover their underlying objectives, wisdom, and the limits of their family. The study demonstrates that the concept of family in the Quran is represented through several key terms; they are qurbā, arḥām, ahl, ‘asyīrah, and żurriyyah. Each key term reflects different dimensions of kinship relations. Conclusions: This study concludes that the Quranic preference given to family doesn’t legitimize nepotism; rather, it represents a moral and social responsibility that must operate within the framework of justice and welfare.

Keywords:

Kinship;, Family;, Maqāṣidī Interpretation;, Maqāṣid asy-Syarī’ah;, The Quran

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