From Masculine Dominance to Relational Justice: Reconfiguring Muslim Students’ Dating Practices in Makassar through Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah

Nizar Amalia Amanhy Damayanti; Rabina Yunus; Sakaria; Muhammad Iqbal; Razak Haedar

doi:10.24252/mazahibuna.vi.65847

Authors

Nizar Amalia Amanhy Damayanti Universitas Hasanuddin, Indonesia
Rabina Yunus Universitas Hasanuddin, Indonesia
Sakaria Universitas Hasanuddin, Indonesia
Muhammad Iqbal Universitas Hasanuddin, Indonesia
Razak Haedar Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal Üniversitesi, Turkey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24252/mazahibuna.vi.65847

Keywords:

Masculine Domination, Dating Violence, Islamic Social Ethics, Maqashid al-Shari'ah, Socio-Legal Studies

Abstract

This study examines masculine dominance in the dating practices of Muslim university students in Makassar, Indonesia, and analyses its dissonance with Islamic ethics through maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah. Unlike previous studies focusing primarily on reproductive health or psychological impacts, this research integrates Bourdieu’s theory of symbolic violence with three Islamic ethical principles: ‘adālah (justice), ḥifẓ al-‘irḍ (preservation of honour), and mu‘āmalah (ethical social interaction). Using a qualitative socio-legal approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 24 purposively selected students (12 females and 12 males, aged 18–24) from four universities in Makassar, 120 hours of participant observation, and analysis of Islamic legal documents. Data were analysed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña, complemented by a maqāṣid-based framework. The findings identify four forms of masculine dominance: decision-making control, economic dependence, sexual pressure through emotional coercion, and psychological control. These practices produce normative, value, and role-based dissonance with Islamic ethics. Normative dissonance concerns khalwah and ikhtilāṭ; value dissonance reflects tensions between individualistic romantic relationships and sakīnah; while role dissonance stems from interpreting qiwāmah as domination rather than responsible leadership. Modernisation, limited maqāṣid literacy, and local constructions of masculinity associated with siri’ contribute to this dissonance. The study proposes an integrated socio-legal framework linking symbolic domination with maqāṣid-based evaluation and recommends gender-just Islamic literacy and stronger institutional protection for students experiencing dating violence.

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