Ikhtilat and Prewedding Culture: Legal Norms and Socio-Religious Contestation

Ikhtilat dalam Budaya Prewedding: Antara Norma Hukum dan Kontestasi Sosial-Religius

Abstract

The prewedding phenomenon as a form of modern cultural expression has increasingly become a trend in Indonesian society, including in regions that formally implement Islamic law such as Aceh. This practice has generated debate when associated with the concept of ikhtilāṭ (interaction between non-mahram men and women), as regulated in Aceh Qanun Number 6 of 2014 Article 1 Paragraph 24. This study aims to examine the contestation of meanings surrounding ikhtilāṭ within prewedding culture and to analyze it from legal and socio-religious perspectives in Gampong Matang Rawa, Baktiya District, North Aceh. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach with a case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with members of the Ulema Consultative Assembly (MPU), traditional leaders, and local community members, as well as document analysis of relevant qanun provisions. Data were analyzed using interpretive analysis and source triangulation to ensure validity. The findings reveal divergent interpretations of prewedding practices: some community members view them as permissible cultural expressions provided they do not violate sharia boundaries, while others consider them a form of ikhtilāṭ that contradicts Islamic norms. The MPU emphasizes caution to prevent sharia violations, whereas traditional leaders tend to adopt a more flexible cultural approach. This study concludes that although the qanun provides a clear legal framework, its implementation requires persuasive and educational strategies that accommodate local cultural dynamics while remaining grounded in Islamic law.

Fenomena prewedding sebagai bagian dari budaya modern semakin marak di kalangan masyarakat Muslim, termasuk di wilayah yang menerapkan syariat Islam seperti Aceh. Praktik ini memunculkan perdebatan ketika dikaitkan dengan konsep ikhtilāṭ, yakni interaksi antara laki-laki dan perempuan yang bukan mahram, sebagaimana diatur dalam Qanun Aceh Nomor 6 Tahun 2014 Pasal 1 Ayat 24. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis kontestasi makna ikhtilāṭ dalam budaya prewedding serta meninjaunya dari perspektif yuridis dan sosial-religius di Gampong Matang Rawa, Kecamatan Baktiya, Aceh Utara. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode studi kasus. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam dengan Majelis Permusyawaratan Ulama (MPU), tokoh adat, dan masyarakat setempat, serta analisis dokumen terhadap qanun syariat Islam Aceh. Data dianalisis menggunakan pendekatan interpretatif dengan triangulasi sumber untuk menjamin keabsahan data. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya perbedaan pandangan di tengah masyarakat. Sebagian pihak memandang prewedding sebagai ekspresi budaya modern yang masih dapat ditoleransi selama tidak melanggar batas syariat, sementara pihak lain menilainya sebagai bentuk ikhtilāṭ yang bertentangan dengan nilai-nilai Islam. Penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa meskipun qanun memberikan dasar hukum yang tegas, implementasinya memerlukan pendekatan edukatif dan dialogis agar selaras dengan dinamika budaya lokal.