JIL’s Opinion on Inter-Religious Marriage in Indonesia with the Opinion of Imam Mahalli Asy-Syafi’i

Abstract

Marriage is a fundamental subject in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) because it is the primary foundation of the family structure and Muslim society. In the modern era, rapid technological and media advancements have expanded the boundaries of social interaction and sparked various moral challenges. A crucial issue currently generating debate in Indonesia is the phenomenon of interfaith marriage between Muslims and non-Muslims. This matter has become increasingly concerning as some parties openly assert that interfaith marriages are unconditionally valid. In response to this controversy, this study aims to analyze the complexities of interfaith marriage in Indonesia and to formulate a clear, defensible legal position aligned with Sharia. This study employs a library research methodology with a normative legal approach, drawing upon the Qur'an, Hadith, and scholarly fatwas, while focusing specifically on the arguments presented in the text Kanz al-Raghib. The findings indicate that, according to this text, marriage between a Muslim and a *hl al-Kitab* (People of the Book) is fundamentally valid but subject to very strict conditions. Failure to meet any of these conditions renders the marriage void or invalid. This study contributes to educating the Muslim community in Indonesia and establishing legal clarity, while also providing an academic response to erroneous views that seek to unconditionally legitimize interfaith marriage without regard for the principles of Islamic jurisprudence.