Unveiling the Wisdom of Islamic Maintenance System: A Sociological Analysis of Economic and Psychological Well-being of Families

Unveiling the Wisdom of Islamic Maintenance System: A Sociological Analysis of Economic and Psychological Well-being of Families. This sociological study analyzes the Islamic maintenance system in family law as a mechanism of economic and psychological protection for wives and children. Based on comparative research in Malaysia and Western countries, the Islamic maintenance system has been proven to reduce the risk of poverty, increase family stability, and contribute to the mental well-being of family members.. Introduction: Maintenance as the Pillar of Family Well-being In the Islamic family system, maintenance is not just a material obligation, but also a manifestation of social justice and moral responsibility. The concept of maintenance encompasses expenses for food, clothing, housing, education, and healthcare for wives and children. Although often seen as a purely legal aspect, modern sociological studies have revealed that the Islamic maintenance system has a profound impact on the economic and psychological well-being of families. The Concept of Maintenance in Islam: The Obligation of Husbands and the Rights of Wives In Islam, maintenance is the absolute right of wives that must be fulfilled by husbands without conditions, whether the wife works or not. The verse of the Quran in Surah At-Talaq 7 states: "Let him who has the means spend according to his means." This obligation is further detailed in the fiqh of the Shafi'i, Hanafi, Maliki, and Hanbali schools, which establish the rate of maintenance based on the husband's ability and the wife's needs. A sociological study by Dr. Zaleha Kamaruddin 2018 in the International Journal of Sociology of the Family shows that the Islamic maintenance system functions as a social safety net that protects women from poverty after marriage, especially in contexts where many women do not have their own income. In contrast to the child support system in Western countries, which often relies on court litigation, Islamic maintenance is obligatory and continuous, reducing bureaucratic and psychological burdens. Sociological Studies in Malaysia: The Impact of Maintenance on Family Well-being A field study conducted by the Family Research Center, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia UKM in 2020 involved 500 respondents from various socio-economic backgrounds in the Klang Valley. The study, published in the Malaysian Journal of Social Sciences, found that families that consistently implemented the Islamic maintenance system including mut'ah maintenance after divorce had higher levels of happiness and lower rates of depression among wives. Regression analysis showed that every 10% increase in compliance with maintenance was associated with a 15% decrease in psychological stress. These findings reinforce the wisdom behind the Islamic maintenance system, which is to preserve the dignity and mental well-being of women, in line with the maqasid syariah objectives of Islamic law of protecting faith, life, intellect, offspring, and wealth. Comparison with Child Support Systems in Western Countries A comparative study by Prof. Madya Dr. Raihanah Abdullah 2022 in the Journal of Comparative Family Studies compared the Islamic maintenance system with child support systems in the United States and the United Kingdom. In Western countries, child support is often determined through court proceedings and can be adjusted based on parental income, but the rate of non-compliance is high—around 30% in the US, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In contrast, the Islamic maintenance system is a religious obligation tied to faith, resulting in higher compliance rates in Muslim communities. The study also found that children who received regular maintenance showed better academic performance and fewer behavioral problems compared to those who did not receive consistent maintenance. This demonstrates that the Islamic maintenance system is not just an economic instrument but also an investment in human capital and long-term social stability. Implications for Social and Economic Policies These sociological findings have significant implications for social and economic policies. The Islamic maintenance system can serve as a model for designing more effective social protection policies, particularly in addressing issues of poverty among women and children. In Malaysia, the implementation of maintenance through the Syariah Courts has helped thousands of single mothers and orphans escape poverty. A study by the World Bank 2019 titled Islamic Social Finance and Poverty Alleviation recognized that the institution of maintenance, along with zakat and waqf, is an efficient mechanism for redistributing wealth. By integrating the maintenance system into national welfare policies, governments can reduce public expenditure while strengthening existing social safety nets.