Resolution of Inheritance Conflicts through Legal Pluralism Analysis and the Application of a Differentiative-Integrative Model in Harmonizing Inheritance Law and Minangkabau Customary Law
Keywords:
Islamic Law of Inheritance (Faraid), Legal Harmonization, Legal Pluralism, Matrilineal System, Minangkabau Customary LawAbstract
The Minangkabau customary inheritance system, which is matrilineal in nature, differs fundamentally from Islamic inheritance law (faraid), which prescribes fixed inheritance shares. This paradigmatic divergence often sparks tension between religious and customary norms, while also opening a space for discourse on legal pluralism in Indonesia. Consequently, this study aims to compare the Islamic and Minangkabau customary inheritance systems and formulate solutions to resolve the normative tensions between them. Employing a qualitative approach and a literature review methodology, the study conducts a comparative analysis of the inheritance principles found in both Islamic law and customary law. The findings indicate that the most realistic resolution within the context of modern Minangkabau society is the application of a “differentiative-integrative” model. This harmonization is achieved by distinguishing between categories of inherited assets: separating the status of pusaka tinggi (ancestral communal property), which is governed by customary law, from pusaka rendah (self-acquired or nuclear family property), which is managed according to Sharia rules (faraid). Overall, this research contributes a framework for resolving inheritance-related legal conflicts within the community and affirms that a legal pluralism approach can foster synergistic harmony between Islamic Sharia and local custom without necessitating the negation of one by the other.References
Asyrofil, F. U., Daffa Bagus, M. S., & Rozieq, N. (2023). Minangkabau Customary Inheritance Law System. Journal of Law, Politics and Social Sciences (JHPIS), (Vol. 2, No.1).
Badridduja, F., Putra, I., & Agus Syaputra, F. (2026). Inheritance of Minangkabau Land in the Knowledge of Fara'idh (Islamic Inheritance Law); Dialogue, Negotiation, Interaction Patterns and Dynamics Between Minangkabau Customs and Religion. Journal Of Contemporary Law Studies, 3(2), 215–236. Https://doi.org/10.47134/lawstudies.V3i2.5523
Elfia. (2023). Islamic Inheritance Law (Amirul N, Ed.; 1st ed.). Madza Media.
Fauzi, A. (2012). The Duality of Minangkabau and Islamic Heritage Law (A Study of the Social Construction of the Minangkabau Muslim Community in Malang). Jurisdictie, Journal of Law and Sharia, 2(1), 94-102
Jelita, C. A., & Lintang Maharani, C. E. (2024). The Legal Perspective of Minangkabau Traditional Inheritance on the Existence of Transsexual Inheritance. Journal of Legal Sciences, 1(2), 307–315. https://doi.org/10.62017/syariah.v1i2.624
Kholil, S. (2025). Islamic Production Ethics Based on Maqashid Al-Shariah: The Pillars of Social and Economic Welfare. Equality: Journal of Islamic Law (EJIL), 3(1), 13–25. https://doi.org/10.15575/ejil.v3i1.1220
Nofiardi. (2023). Islamic Heritage Between Theory & Practice. The Media Legacy.
Nova, L. (2021). Customary Inheritance Law in Minangkabau Reviewed from a Compilation of Islamic Law and Civil Law. Academic: Journal of Humanist Students, 1(1).
Nugroho, S. S. (2016). Customary Inheritance Law in Indonesia (Farkhani, Ed.). Solo: Iltizam Library.
Prianto, R. E., Putri, I. A., Nadya, K., Siahaan, A., Risna, F., & Bengkulu, U. (2026). Comparison of Inheritance Distribution Arrangements According to Minangkabau Customary Law and Islamic Law. Tambusai Education Journal, 10(1), https://doi.org/10.31004/jptam.v10i1.37413
Ritonga, A. (2024). Reviewing the Meaning of the Basandi Syarak Syarak Basandi Kitabullah (ABSBK) Custom in the Minangkabau Society. Journal of Humanities (Law and Civil Society), 14 (May), 95–109.
Thompson, B. Z. (2021). Legal pluralism explained: History, theory, consequences. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190861551.001.0001
Yudha Bramantyo, R., Cahyo Setiono, G., Windradi, F., Pujiono, B., & Gunawan Wicaksono, D. (2022). Implementation of the 1945 Constitution Article 18b Paragraph 2 concerning State Recognition of Customary Norms in the Religious and Ritualist Perspective of the Temboro Hamlet Community, Wates District, Kediri Regency. Journal of Legal Transparency.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2026 Anne Yuliana, Muhammad Ulil Albab
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Muttaqien; Indonesian Journal of Multidiciplinary Islamic Studies allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions and allows the author(s) to retain publishing rights without restrictions, and authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
In developing strategy and setting priorities, Muttaqien; Indonesian Journal of Multidiciplinary Islamic Studies recognize that free access is better than priced access, libre access is better than free access, and libre under CC-BY-SA or the equivalent is better than libre under more restrictive open licenses. We should achieve what we can when we can. We should not delay achieving free in order to achieve libre, and we should not stop with free when we can achieve libre.
Muttaqien; Indonesian Journal of Multidiciplinary Islamic Studies has a CC-BY SA license or its equivalent as the optimal license for publication, distribution, use and reuse of scientific work. This license is under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
