Strengthening Dispute Resolution Autonomy Through Acehnese Customary Institutions: Living Law and Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah Perspectives

Siti Rohmah; Moh Fadli; Ngesti Dwi Prasetyo; Airin Liemanto; Zainal Arifien

doi:10.21107/tlr.v8i2.33387

Strengthening Dispute Resolution Autonomy Through Acehnese Customary Institutions: Living Law and Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah Perspectives

Siti Rohmah, Moh Fadli, Ngesti Dwi Prasetyo, Airin Liemanto, Zainal Arifien

Abstract

This study examines the urgency of strengthening the autonomy of legal dispute resolution through customary institutions in Aceh by engaging Eugen Ehrlich’s Living Law theory and Jasser Auda’s maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah framework. Aceh’s distinctive juridical and sociocultural status positions customary institutions as key actors in maintaining social cohesion and delivering justice grounded in local wisdom. However, their role is often marginalized by state legal formalism, creating a gap between statutory law and lived legal realities. This research employs a qualitative juridical-sociological approach, using literature review and document analysis. It conceptualizes customary institutions as expressions of Living Law that operate in alignment with the objectives of Islamic law, particularly the protection of life, intellect, dignity, and property. Auda’s systemic and multidimensional conception of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah provides an analytical lens to understand these institutions as adaptive and participatory legal mechanisms. The findings demonstrate that strengthening the autonomy of customary dispute resolution reflects legal pluralism and contributes to substantive justice rather than legal conservatism. This study offers a methodological contribution by integrating Living Law and maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah in rethinking national legal development. It recommends stronger juridical recognition and institutional empowerment of customary institutions within Indonesia’s legal system.

Keywords

Aceh Customary Institutions; Dispute Resolution; Living Law; Legal Pluralism; Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah

Full Text:

PDF

References

Adhitya Anugrah Nasution, and Ade Saptomo. “Application of the Acehnese Customary Legal System and National Legal System in Combating Theft by Child Offenders.” Jurnal Hukum, Politik dan Ilmu Sosial 3, no. 1 (January 2024): 332–40. https://doi.org/10.55606/jhpis.v3i1.3384.

Ahmad M, Afifa Eka Putri, Amin Yasin, Alifandi Rizky Cahya Putra, Arfius Nurdin, and Fahri Arfa. “Problematizing Law Enforcement in Indonesia: A Study from the Perspective of the Sociology of Law.” Journal of Legal Contemplation 1, no. 1 (March 2025): 16–26. https://doi.org/10.63288/jlc.v1i1.2.

Ahmad Qiram As-Suvi, and Moh. Zainullah. “Sociology of Law in the Perspective of Roscoe Pound and Donald Black and Its Relevance in the Indonesian Context.” Peradaban Journal of Law and Society 1, no. 2 (December 2022): 82–95. https://doi.org/10.59001/pjls.v1i2.39.

Alia, Nur, Mohamad Subli, Apriyanti, and Nazhar. “Understanding and Implementing Islamic Law: Challenges and Solutions in Modern Contexts.” Antmind Review: Journal of Sharia and Legal Ethics 1, no. 2 (December 2024): 72–82. https://doi.org/10.63077/qgjzc372.

Anas Asy’ari Nashuha, Muthoifin, and Mariam Elbanna. “An Analysis of Jasser Auda’s Thought on Maqashid Sharia and Its Implications for Sharia Economic Law.” Solo International Collaboration and Publication of Social Sciences and Humanities 3, no. 03 (June 2025): 441–56. https://doi.org/10.61455/sicopus.v3i03.361.

Anggraeni, RR Dewi. “Islamic Law and Customary Law in Contemporary Legal Pluralism in Indonesia: Tension and Constraints.” Ahkam : Jurnal Ilmu Syariah 23, no. 1 (June 2023). https://doi.org/10.15408/ajis.v23i1.32549.

Anggreini, Rini, Budi Bahreisy, and Nurmalawaty. “Optimizing Aceh’s Traditional Institutions to Provide Legal Protection for Children in Legal Conflict.” Acta Law Journal 3, no. 1 (December 2024): 37–50. https://doi.org/10.32734/alj.v3i1.18968.

As-Suvi, Ahmad Qiram, and Erfaniah Zuhriah. “Ratio Legis of Interfaith Inheritance Reformulation from the Perspective of Fiqh Minority: A Study of the Thoughts of Yusuf Al-Qardhawi and Taha Jabir Al-Alwani.” Jurnal Pembaharuan Hukum 10, no. 3 (December 2023): 361. https://doi.org/10.26532/jph.v10i3.33335.

Aslati, Armi Agustar, Silawati, Arisman, and Siti Arafah. “Utilizing Science and Maqāṣid Al-Sharī’ah in Resolving Contemporary Issues of Islamic Family Law.” Al-Manahij: Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam, March 2024, 17–36. https://doi.org/10.24090/mnh.v18i1.10571.

Auda, Jasser. “Maqasid Methodology for Re-Envisioning Islamic Higher Education.” Journal of Contemporary Maqasid Studies 1, no. 1 (December 2021): 31–58. https://doi.org/10.52100/jcms.v1i1.58.

Benda-Beckmann, Franz von. “Who’s Afraid of Legal Pluralism?” The Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law 34, no. 47 (January 2002): 37–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/07329113.2002.10756563.

Cotterrell, Roger. Law, Culture and Society. Routledge, 2017. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351217989.

Djawas, Mursyid, Abidin Nurdin, Muslim Zainuddin, Idham Idham, and Zahratul Idami. “Harmonization of State, Custom, and Islamic Law in Aceh: Perspective of Legal Pluralism.” Hasanuddin Law Review 10, no. 1 (May 2024): 64. https://doi.org/10.20956/halrev.v10i1.4824.

Fadli, Moh., Shinta Hadiyantina, Dewi Cahyandari, Airin Liemanto, and Mustafa Lutfi. “Mobilizing Society for Peace: Enhancing Access to Justice of Tribal Dispute Resolution in Baduy and Sasak Tribes, Indonesia.” Revista Juridica Portucalense 35 (2024): 376–402. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.34625/issn.2183-2705(35)2024.ic-18.

Febrianty, Yenny, Hasliza Ghapa, and Asmida Ahmad. “Integration of Customary Law in The National Legal System Comparative Study of Malaysia and Indonesia.” SASI 30, no. 4 (December 2024): 379. https://doi.org/10.47268/sasi.v30i4.2303.

Fidaus, Yuki Muhammad. “Preserving Customary Law in the Era of Globalization within Indonesian Society and Legal System.” Law and Justice 9, no. 1 (September 2024). https://doi.org/10.23917/laj.v9i1.597.

Fuqoha, Habib, Gina Anggita Putri, Aldi Alfarizi, Sigit Gunawan, and Diky Dikrurahman. “The Role of Community Traditional Institutions in Dispute Resolution in Multicultural Communities.” Journal of World Science 3, no. 11 (November 2024): 1403–8. https://doi.org/10.58344/jws.v3i11.1224.

Galib, Andi Muhammad, and Abbas Sofwan Matlail Fajar. “Strengthening Customary Legal Autonomy in Aceh.” Peradaban Journal of Law and Society 4, no. 1 (June 2025): 30–46. https://doi.org/10.59001/pjls.v4i1.489.

Haq, Islamul, Resi Resi, Muhammad Suaib Tahir, Qurrah A’yuniyyah, and Muh. Akram J Said. “Legal Harmony: Integration of Customary, National, and Islamic Criminal Law in the Toraja Ma’rambu Langi.” Al-Ihkam: Jurnal Hukum & Pranata Sosial 20, no. 2 (December 2025). https://doi.org/10.19105/al-lhkam.v20i2.17680.

Ida Hanifah, Ismail Koto, Faisal Faisal, Zainuddin Zainuddin, and Mirela Imsirovic. “Strengthening Indigenous Welfare through the Role of Local Government Initiatives in Protecting Traditional Knowledge.” Volksgeist: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Dan Konstitusi, September 2025, 345–61. https://doi.org/10.24090/volksgeist.v8i2.13332.

Isman, Muntaha Artalim Zaim, and Aisha Baha Eldeen. “Maqashid Sharia and Harmonizing Law in Indonesia: Impact for SDGs Global Context,” 745–59, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-50939-1_60.

Janiah, Atti. “Maqāṣid Al-Syarī‘ah and Constitutional Accountability in Urban Governance: An Islamic Legal Reflection on Public Safety Policy in Banjarmasin City.” Journal of Islamic Law and Humanitarian Studies 1, no. 2 (December 2025): 65–77. https://doi.org/10.64268/jilhs.v1i2.57.

Jayantiari, I Gusti Agung Mas Rwa, I Nyoman Prabu Buana Rumiartha, I Gst Pt Bagus Suka Arjawa, I Gusti Ngurah Dharma Laksana, and Dirk Rubbert. “The Rights of Customary Law Communities to Resources: The Relationship of Coexistence of State Law and Customary Law.” Jurnal IUS Kajian Hukum Dan Keadilan 13, no. 1 (April 2025): 187–98. https://doi.org/10.29303/ius.v13i1.1329.

KARVATSKA, Svitlana. “Socio-Historical Factors of Law Perception in ‘Living Law’ Concept by Eugen Ehrlich.” Erlìhìvsʹkij Žurnal 1 (December 2017): 42–51. https://doi.org/10.31861/ehrlichsjournal2017.01.042.

Khoir, Tholkhatul, Syamsul Ma’arif, Misbah Zulfa Elizabeth, and Kartika Indah Permata. “The Narrowing Spaces for Islamic Knowledge at Islamic Higher Education in Indonesia: Opportunity and Challenge.” Higher Education 90, no. 4 (October 2025): 1145–73. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-024-01370-3.

Khoirunnisa, and Didi Jubaidi. “The Significance of The Living Law Concept in the New Criminal Code: A Perspective of Progressive Law.” Journal of Namibian Studies : History Politics Culture 33 (March 2023): 6116–40. https://doi.org/10.59670/jns.v33i.4603.

Krismiyarsi, Krismiyarsi, and Rayno Dwi Adityo. “The Urgency of Community Service Imposed as Punishment on Juvenile Delinquents: A Study of Al- Shatibi’s Maqhasid Al-Syariah Concept.” De Jure: Jurnal Hukum Dan Syar’iah 17, no. 1 (April 12, 2025): 132–48. https://doi.org/10.18860/j-fsh.v17i1.31246.

Leliak, Aprilia Stefany. “Strengthening Legal Protection of Indigenous Peoples’ Customary Land Rights In Indonesia’s Disruption Era.” Litigasi 26, no. 2 (May 6, 2026): 443–72. https://doi.org/10.23969/litigasi.v26i2.20032.

Lestarini, Ratih. “The Sociological Perspective on the Study of the Living Law: Is It a Part of Legal Discipline or Social Discipline?” Jurnal IUS Kajian Hukum Dan Keadilan 11, no. 3 (December 2023): 448–64. https://doi.org/10.29303/ius.v11i3.1270.

Lubis, Arief Fahmi. “Legal Pluralism and Social Identity: An Analysis of State and Religious Law Interaction in Local Dispute Resolution in Indonesia and Pakistan.” Lex Localis - Journal of Local Self-Government 23, no. 11 (October 2025): 1910–21. https://doi.org/10.52152/bt4pv061.

M. Kasim, Fajri, and Abidin Nurdin. “Study of Sociological Law on Conflict Resolution Through Adat in Aceh Community According to Islamic Law.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 4, no. 2 (December 2020): 375. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v4i2.8231.

Masyhar, Ali, Rohadhatul Aisy, Anis Widyawati, M. Azil Maskur, and Ali Murtadho. “Reclaiming the Unwritten: Living Law’s Prospects under Indonesia’s 2023 Penal Reform.” Jambe Law Journal 8, no. 1 (July 2025): 255–85. https://doi.org/10.22437/home.v8i1.502.

Matsyah, Ajidar, Mursyid Djawas, Umar Bin Abdul Aziz, Dedy Sumardi, and Abidin Nurdin. “Cultural Continuity and Legal Adaptation: The Evolution of Suluh in Aceh’s Conflict Resolution System.” Juris (Jurnal Ilmiah Syariah) 24, no. 1 (June 2025): 101. https://doi.org/10.31958/juris.v24i1.13272.

Mawar, Sitti, and Muhammad Iqbal. “Multicultural Dispute Resolution System in Aceh Before and After the Issuance of the Customary Institution Qanun.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 9, no. 1 (2025). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v9i1.19767.

Mir, Khalid Hussain, and Md. Rafique Anjum. “Universal Ethics for a Divided World: Maqasid Al-Shari’ah and the Pursuit of Human Brotherhood.” Journal of Islamic Studies and Culture, November 13, 2025. https://doi.org/10.15640/jisc.v13p3.

Mohadi, Mawloud, and Yasser Tarshany. “Maqasid Al-Shari’ah and the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.” Journal of Contemporary Maqasid Studies 2, no. 2 (July 2023): 79–102. https://doi.org/10.52100/jcms.v2i2.107.

Moore, Sally Falk. “Law and Social Change: The Semi-Autonomous Social Field as an Appropriate Subject of Study.” Law & Society Review 7, no. 4 (July 1973): 719–46. https://doi.org/10.2307/3052967.

Muchsin, Misri A., and Fadhlur Rahman Armi. “The Dynamics of the Implementation of Islamic Law in Aceh: Historical Challenges and Issues.” Hikmah 21, no. 2 (December 2024): 267–80. https://doi.org/10.53802/hikmah.v21i2.444.

Muhammad Reza Maulana, Zainal Abidin, and Mazwar Mazwar. “The Interpretation of Legal Principles by the Government in the Special Autonomous Region of Aceh.” Cakrawala: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Global 5, no. 1 (February 2026): 09–21. https://doi.org/10.30640/cakrawala.v5i1.5793.

Mukhlis, Mukhlis, Herman Rusli, Fitria Herliana, and Mujizah Mujizah. “The Power of Local Wisdom in Hadih Maja : Mitigating Social Conflict in Aceh through Oral Tradition.” Cogent Arts & Humanities 13, no. 1 (December 2026). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2026.2658281.

Narwadan, Theresia N.A. “The Existence of Customary Law as a Living Law within Indonesia’s Legal System: A Legal Pluralism Analysis.” Journal of Adat Recht 2, no. 4 (November 2025): 28–38. https://doi.org/10.62872/2rw71057.

Nelken, David. “Eugen Ehrlich, Living Law, and Plural Legalities.” Theoretical Inquiries in Law 9, no. 2 (June 2008): 443–71. https://doi.org/10.2202/1565-3404.1193.

Norman, Efrita, Lina Marliani, Arman Paramansyah, and Faiz Aizat. “Implementing Sharia-Based Total Quality Management in Islamic Educational Institutions Impact on Organizational Performance.” Eduprof : Islamic Education Journal 6, no. 2 (February 2025): 116–34. https://doi.org/10.47453/eduprof.v6i2.299.

Nurdin, Abidin, Fajri M. Kasim, Muhammad Rizwan, and Mahmuddin Daud. “The Implementation of Meunasah-Based Sharia in Aceh: A Social Capital and Islamic Law Perspective.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 5, no. 2 (December 2021): 760. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v5i2.10710.

Purnamasari, and Sami Barkah. “Islam and Local Cultural Acculturation in the Indonesian Archipelago.” Al-Fiqh 3, no. 3 (March 2026): 180–95. https://doi.org/10.59996/al-fiqh.v3i3.927.

Ramli, Misran, Syamsul Rijal, Reni Surya, and Irhamni Malika. “State, Custom, and Islamic Law in Aceh: Minor Dispute Resolution in the Perspective of Legal Pluralism.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 8, no. 2 (May 2024): 872. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v8i2.15924.

Salim, Arskal. “Adat and Islamic Law in Contemporary Aceh, Indonesia: Unequal Coexistence and Asymmetric Contestation.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 5, no. 2 (December 2021): 529. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v5i2.11082.

Saputra, Happy, Mahdalena Nasrun, and Muhammad Anzaikhan. “Revitalizing Local Wisdom in Committing Radicalism in Aceh.” Innovatio: Journal for Religious Innovation Studies 21, no. 2 (December 2021): 112–21. https://doi.org/10.30631/innovatio.v21i2.140.

Saputri, Fitri Arianti. “The Position of Customary Law in the Legal System: An ExplorationRole, Challenges, and Integration in the Context of National Legal Development.” Journal of Adat Recht 1, no. 1 (May 2024). https://doi.org/10.62872/esmxh108.

Sarjito, Aris, and Mursidi Mursidi. “Decolonizing Bureaucracy in Papua: Indigenous Logics, Institutional Hybridity, and the Limits of Special Autonomy.” Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Humaniora 4, no. 1 (September 2025): 33–52. https://doi.org/10.57248/jishum.v4i1.665.

Schlesinger, Chagai. “Religious Legal Pluralism in the Shadow of the Centralistic State.” Oxford Journal of Legal Studies 45, no. 3 (August 2025): 583–611. https://doi.org/10.1093/ojls/gqaf010.

Supriyadi, Aditya Prastian, Mustafa Lutfi, and Kurniasih Bahagiati. “Strengthening Indonesia’s Green Investment Law: Legal Reconceptualisation toward Net-Zero Emissions under Green Constitution and Maslahah.” Jurisdictie: Jurnal Hukum Dan Syariah 16, no. 2 (December 24, 2025): 411–51. https://doi.org/10.18860/j.v16i2.35169.

Susanti, Restika. “Dowry Practices in Lampung Pesisir Traditional Marriages: An Islamic Legal Perspective.” Indonesia Private Law Review 5, no. 1 (March 25, 2024): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.25041/iplr.v5i1.3185.

Syamsuar, Syamsuar, Hanif Hanif, Muhajir Al-Fairusy, M. Ikhwan, Nur Kemala Putri, and Alfiansyah Alfiansyah. “Maqashid Sharia as the Foundation of Religious Moderation and Resilience in Aceh’s Border Communities.” Al-Qadha : Jurnal Hukum Islam Dan Perundang-Undangan 11, no. 2 (December 2024): 328–44. https://doi.org/10.32505/qadha.v11i2.9852.

Tohari, Achmad. “Religious Moderation in the Perspective of Maqasid Syariah Jasser Auda.” MODERATIO: Jurnal Moderasi Beragama 4, no. 1 (May 2024): 52. https://doi.org/10.32332/moderatio.v4i1.9037.

Tohari, Ilham, Siti Rohmah, and Ahmad Qiram As-Suvi. “Exploring Customary Law: Perspectives of Hazairin and Cornelis Van Vollenhoven and Its Relevance to the Future of Islamic Law in Indonesia.” Ulul Albab: Jurnal Studi Dan Penelitian Hukum Islam 7, no. 1 (October 2023): 50. https://doi.org/10.30659/jua.v7i1.32600.

Tolkah, Tolkah. “Customary Law Existency in The Modernization of Criminal Law in Indonesia.” Varia Justicia 17, no. 1 (May 2021): 72–89. https://doi.org/10.31603/variajusticia.v17i1.5024.

Trisna, Nila, Muhammad Reza Aulia, and Nouvan Moulia. “The Role of the Aceh Customary Council in Implementing Hak Langgeh: Navigating Between Sharia and Customary Law.” As-Siyasi: Journal of Constitutional Law 5, no. 1 (June 2025): 87–98. https://doi.org/10.24042/as-siyasiv.5i1.27254.

Uthman Mehdad Al-Turabi, and Jasser Auda. “Toward a Maqāṣid-Based Legal Reform: Systemic Thinking for Social Transformation in the Modern Muslim World.” Indonesian Journal of Islamic Law 8, no. 2 (December 2025): 209–28. https://doi.org/10.35719/fhw10v84.

Widiyaningtyas, Ester, Areyne Christi, Angelo Nicolaides, and David Ming. “Philosophical Theology as a Catalyst for Inclusive Interreligious Dialogue in Plural Societies.” Jurnal Theologia 36, no. 1 (June 2024): 93–108. https://doi.org/10.21580/teo.2025.36.1.26004.

Yangto, Sayeho, Nafan Tarihoran, and Mustafa Ali Almagdub. “Contemporary Challenges and Prospects of Mediation in Contested Divorce Cases in Indonesia.” Nusantara: Journal of Law Studies 5, no. 1 (2026): 44–59. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.66325/nusantaralaw.v5i1.

Zakaria, Soni. “The Contextualization of the Māqāṣid Āl-Šyāriāh Jasser Auda Theory in the Concept and Practice of Islamic Family Law.” Al-’Adl 14, no. 2 (July 2021): 83. https://doi.org/10.31332/aladl.v14i2.2396.

Zubir, Zubir, and Alimuddin Alimuddin. “The Absolute Competence of Adat Institutions in Resolving Marital Disputes in Aceh, Indonesia.” Al-Qadha : Jurnal Hukum Islam Dan Perundang-Undangan 12, no. 1 (June 2025): 166–80. https://doi.org/10.32505/qadha.v12i1.11149.

Zulfan, Zulfan. “Model of Local Wisdom Legal Source and State Law in Aceh Government.” Indonesian Comparative Law Review 1, no. 1 (2018). https://doi.org/10.18196/iclr.1106.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21107/tlr.v8i2.33387