Hermeneutics of the Qur'an and Gender Justice in Marital Sexual Relations: A Critical Analysis of the Issue of Marital Rape in the Family

Abstrak

This study explores marital sexual relations through the perspective of feminist Qur’anic interpretation, with particular emphasis on sexual consent and the normalization of marital rape within patriarchal interpretations and sociocultural practices. In Islamic teachings, marriage is fundamentally understood as a relationship grounded in love, compassion, justice, mutual respect, and reciprocal responsibility. Nevertheless, certain classical interpretations, particularly those associated with Qur’an 4:34, have frequently been employed to reinforce hierarchical relationships between husbands and wives and, in some contexts, to legitimize forms of sexual coercion within marriage. Such interpretations raise important questions concerning the relationship between Qur’anic principles and patriarchal social structures that have historically influenced understandings of marital obligations. This research employs a qualitative library-based method by examining relevant Qur’anic verses, exegetical works, and contemporary scholarly literature. The analysis employs Amina Wadud’s feminist hermeneutical framework and Asma Barlas’s concept of “unreading patriarchy” to critically reassess conventional interpretations of marital relations. Particular attention is given to Qur’an 4:19 and Qur’an 30:21, which emphasize ethical treatment, affection, compassion, and the establishment of peaceful relationships between spouses. The study demonstrates that patriarchal interpretations cannot simply be attributed to the Qur’anic text itself but are significantly shaped by particular historical, social, cultural, and interpretive contexts. From this perspective, sexual consent should be understood as an integral dimension of mu‘āsharah bil ma‘rūf, namely the ethical obligation to treat one’s spouse appropriately and respectfully. Incorporating principles of gender justice, maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, mutuality, and the broader ethical objectives of the Qur’an provides a more balanced framework for interpreting marital sexuality. Accordingly, this study underscores the importance of developing contextual, ethical, and gender-sensitive approaches to Qur’anic interpretation in order to challenge coercive understandings and promote equitable marital relationships within contemporary Muslim societies.