العادات والأعراف المتعلِّقة بالمرأة من المنظور الإسلامي :‏‏ جزيرة جاوا نموذجاً / معلمين محمد شهيد

Abstract

Java Island, Indonesia, has a variety of customs and traditions which have been followed and practiced by the Javanese people for centuries. The various customs and traditions related to both people's way of life and religious practices has been influenced by ancient civilization that have existed in Java for centuries. As a result, Javanese religious practices have been directly affected, even after the advent of Islam. This is the factor that leads to the existence of the Javanese people's religious orientation which puts various beliefs together in one belief called syncretism or Islam Kejawen. This research aims to study and analyze the customs and traditions of the Javanese people by focusing on women's issues. Analytical and comparative methodologies are used to examine the customs and traditions in order to gauge their compatibility and contradiction with Islam. One of the findings indicated that there is obvious influence in the religious practices as well as traditions and customs from various beliefs which contradict Islamic teachings. At the same time there are also some good values in those practices which are in line with Islam. The study also found that the social labels and terminologies attached to Javanese women have resulted in degrading their status and are contradictory to Islamic principles. Some jurisprudent issues on women have also contributed to the offense of their dignity as a result of not referring to Al-Nas (the legal text) from Al-Qur'an and Al-Sunnah. Finally the study asserts that the Islamically preferred stand in dealing with the practices on Javanese customs and traditions is to leave the ancient beliefs and only take and practice parts which are permissible by Islam.