The Dynamics of the Interpretation of Women's Private Parts in Contemporary Islamic Family Law

Abstract

The issue of women's ʿawrah remains one of the most debated topics in Islamic family law due to the continuing interaction between classical religious texts and contemporary social realities. Changes in social structures, globalization, technological development, and women's increasing participation in public life have encouraged new interpretations of the concept of ʿawrah without neglecting the fundamental principles of Islamic law. This study aims to analyze the dynamics of interpreting women's ʿawrah in contemporary Islamic family law and examine its implications for family relations and women's roles in modern Muslim society. The research employs a qualitative library research approach using normative, historical, sociological, and maqāṣid al-sharīʿah perspectives. Data were collected through document analysis of the Qur'an, Hadith, classical and contemporary fiqh literature, and relevant scholarly publications, and analyzed using descriptive content analysis. The findings indicate that interpretations of women's ʿawrah have evolved from predominantly textual understandings toward more contextual approaches that emphasize public welfare, justice, and the objectives of Islamic law. This development demonstrates that contextual reinterpretation can bridge normative teachings and contemporary realities while preserving the essential values of Islamic family law.