Engendering Domestic Harmony

Abstract

Mawaddah (love) and raḥmah (mercy) at home are the essences of building a sakīnah (peaceful) and healthy domestic relationship. In reality, not all domestic relationships are living in a mawaddah and raḥmah environment. A domestic relationship can be the source of exploitation, abuse, and violence. All these issues are affecting one’s health, whether it is physical or psychological health. They can also act as a root cause of a dysfunctional domestic relationship, leading towards societal malfunction, if they are not dealt with wisely. Two questions arise: How does one achieve domestic harmony? What is the basis of engendering domestic harmony? In this contemporary world, it is critical to realise that the Maqāṣid, or objectives, of the Sharīʻah play a pivotal role in engendering domestic harmony. By using maqāṣidic approach, this paper seeks to address what Maqāṣid al-Sharīʻah consists of and to highlight the concept of domestic harmony, encompassing the concept of marriage and family in Islam. As a result, by utilising the Maqāṣid al-Sharīʻah framework, it offers a significant contribution to engendering domestic harmony, benefiting societal development and the betterment of human life.