Year: 2026
Type: editorial
Abstract: In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful.Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon His noble Prophet, Muhammad ﷺ and his family and companions.In today's interconnected world, the Muslim family encounters a multitude of unprecedented challenges that destabilize its very foundation.The rapid and pervasive impact of globalization imposed new societal patterns and ways of interacting that often conflict with the long-standing traditions.Consequently, traditional family structures, once pivotal to the Muslim community's lifestyle, are now experiencing a gradual decline in their influence, leading to a reconfiguration of roles and authority both within the family unit and society as a whole.This transformation is further complicated by efforts to redefine the concept of family, however, often disregarding the intrinsic values and specific cultural contexts of each community.The gradual deterioration of the family's inherent foundations and the fragmentation of its core values in favor of emerging global paradigms has inevitably disrupted traditional roles within the household.New cultural frameworks have arisen that enhance individualism and encourage a break from the family's moral authority, thereby undermining the harmony that once characterized family life.As a result, families, which were once essential educational environments, began to relinquish their primary mission, namely, providing consistent parental guidance and overseeing the intellectual and cultural development of children.This shift has weakened intergenerational cohesion within families.Currently, the Muslim family faces existential threats from the overwhelming forces of modernity and the prevailing ethos of our world, which urge independence among youth through structures external to the family.These frameworks are intertwined with a capitalist moral order that, in numerous instances, replaces the values of cooperation and solidarity with competition and self-interest -hallmarks of a postmodern agenda that seeks to dismantle the stable centers of meaning and value.On a different front, some contemporary discourses have sought to actively promote a new global family identity, under the guise of universal humanity and the emancipation from so-called 'illusory' authority.This agenda has gained more momentum with the surge of information technologies and the rise of non-traditional modes of interaction in media spaces, which has caused profound shifts in both communicative practices and behavioral patterns.Changes that have given rise to a new cultural formation that threaten the cohesion of society and place traditions in direct conflict with the forces of modernity.The role of women has been redefined by certain feminist movements, drawing upon global rightsbased narratives that aim to dismantle traditional structures.This is clearly reflected in the growing demands for reforms in family law.This intersection of global rights discourse with local legislation poses significant challenges for advocates of Islamic legal reform, who tackle such matters from both doctrinal and ethical perspectives to uphold women's dignity and restore family balance, however, without compromising core principles.Hence, there is an urgent need for a thoughtful discussion that addresses these changes, offers practical solutions to the underlying causes of women's issues, and enhances their status in line with the higher objectives of Sharia, rather than being swayed by transnational ideologies.Being in harmony with human nature and grounded in higher objectives, the Islamic law, defines the fundamental aspects of the Muslim family and safeguards its identities, structures, roles, and values.The Qurʾan articulates two distinct frameworks for the family: one human and the other divine.Both are rooted in creation and affection, and both are guided by the divine purpose of merciful coexistence; a purpose which calls for positive participation, mutual compassion, gentleness, and the provision of tranquility and reassurance, all of which are vital to ensuring family cohesion and stability.Given the urgent need to raise Muslims' awareness and safeguard it regarding the family, vis-à-vis
Author: Hamzeh Abdallah Ayed Khwaileh
Institution: Qatar University
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7126049426
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