TRANSFORMATION OF LOCAL NORMS IN INHERITANCE DIVISION IN PANTURA: A SOCIOLOGY OF LAW APPROACH

Inna Fauziatal Ngazizah

doi:10.33102/mjsl.vol13no2.1124

Authors

Inna Fauziatal Ngazizah Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sunan Kudus, Jl. Conge Ngembalrejo, Ngembalrejo, Kec. Bae, Kabupaten Kudus, Jawa Tengah 59322, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4477-940X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33102/mjsl.vol13no2.1124

Keywords:

Customary law, inheritance division, Islamic law, sociology of law, transformation of local norms

Abstract

This study investigates the transformation of local inheritance norms in Pantura, Central Java, Indonesia, through the lens of legal sociology. The problem addressed in this research is the persistence of legal uncertainty arising from the coexistence of customary law, state law, and Islamic law in regulating inheritance distribution. While inheritance in Muslim communities is normatively governed by Islamic principles, local practices often diverge, reflecting negotiation between tradition, religion, and modern legal frameworks. Employing a qualitative research design, this study draws upon in-depth interviews with 23 informants (male and female beneficiaries) from various villages across Pantura. The findings reveal that Islamic law remains the dominant reference in inheritance practices, with 60.8% of respondents prioritizing religious norms, followed by 34.7% referencing customary law and 4.3% adhering to state law. This pattern underscores the enduring legal pluralism in rural Java, where community values of fairness, kinship, and social harmony guide the practical application of inheritance rules. The study contributes to socio-legal scholarship by demonstrating how local communities actively reinterpret Islamic and customary norms to align with contemporary notions of justice and familial solidarity, thereby shaping a hybrid legal order. These insights not only illuminate the adaptive character of local legal culture but also enrich broader discussions on the dynamics of pluralism and legal transformation in postcolonial societies.

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