Polygamy and the Ethics of Transparency in Muhammad Syahrur’s Theory of Limits: An Analysis of Indonesia’s 2025 Viral Cases
The emergence of viral cases of non-transparent polygamy in Indonesia in 2025 has reignited critical debates on family ethics, honesty, and moral accountability in contemporary Muslim societies. This study examines these practices through the lens of Muhammad Syahrur’s Theory of Limits (Naẓariyyat al-Ḥudūd), which conceptualizes Islamic legal norms as operating within defined minimum and maximum ethical boundaries. Employing a qualitative research design, this study is based on a critical literature review combined with intra-textual analysis of Qur’anic verses on marriage and polygamy, alongside an examination of Syahrur’s principal works. Sociological data from publicly documented viral cases are utilized as contextual evidence to illustrate the ethical tensions surrounding non-transparent polygamy. The findings demonstrate that, within Syahrur’s framework, polygamy is not an unconditional male prerogative but a conditional social practice constrained by strict moral limits aimed at safeguarding justice and protecting women’s rights. Polygamy conducted without transparency is shown to violate the minimum boundary of justice by denying women access to truthful information, undermining trust, and generating psychological and social harm. From the perspective of boundary theory, such practices constitute a form of injustice (ẓulm) and conflict with the maqāṣid al-sharīʿah, particularly the preservation of dignity, welfare, and family stability. This study argues that Syahrur’s Theory of Limits offers a relevant ethical framework for evaluating modern polygamy, emphasizing transparency, honesty, and justice as indispensable principles in contemporary Islamic family ethics.
Abidin, Zainal, Muhammad Safuan, and Rofiqul Huda Siregar. “Poligami Dalam Islam Dan Keadilan Gender.” The International Journal of PEGON Islam Nusantara Civilizaton 8, no. 2 (2022): 17–38.
Alhabsyi, Muhamad Sauki, Hilal Malarangan, and Gasim Yamani. “Teori Nazariyyat Al-Hudud Muhammad Syahrur.” Prosiding Kajian Islam Dan Integrasi Ilmu Di Era Society (KIIIES) 5.0 3, no. 1 (2024): 390–95.
Athiyah, Ummi. “Studi Komparatif Tentang Syarat Istri Kedua Menurut Muhammad Syahrur Dan Kompilasi Hukum Islam (KHI).” (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim), 2010.
Hariati, Nina Agus. “Regulasi Poligami Di Indonesia Perspektif M . Syahrur Dan Gender.” Asy-Syari`ah: Jurnal Hukum Islam 7, no. 2 (2021): 187–208.
Ihsan, Fadhli Maulana, Viska Aprillia Kusuma, Article Info, Muhammad Syahrur, Fadhli Maulana Ihsan, Universitas Islam, Negeri Sultan, and Syarif Kasim. “POLIGAMI DALAM PANDANGAN MUHAMMAD SYAHRUR: ANALISIS TAFSIR SURAH AN- NISA AYAT 3.” ALMUSTOFA: Journal of Islamic Studies and Research 2, no. 1 (2025): 80–91.
Jamilah, Fitrotin. “Dampak Perubahan Sosial Terhadap Praktik Poligami Di Masyarakat Modern.” Al-’Adalah: Jurnal Syariah Dan Hukum Islam 9, no. 1 (2024): 167–77.
Makka, Misbahul Munir, and Tuti Fajriati Ratundelang. “Poligami Tanpa Izin Istri Pertama Dan Dampaknya Terhadap Keluarga.” Al-Mujtahid: Journal of Islamic Family Law 2, no. 1 (2022): 34–51.
Mukhtar, Muhammad, Mardia Mardia, and Andika Aminuddin. “STUDY OF THE THINKING OF MUHAMMAD SYAHRUR AND M . QURAISH SHIHAB ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF POLYGAMY ( Study of Interpretation of Qs . An-Nisa / 4 : 3 ).” Lisan Al-Hal: Jurnal Pengembangan Pemikiran Dan Kebudayaan 17, no. 1 (2023): 22–32. https://doi.org/10.35316/lisanalhal.
Mushlihin. “POLIGAMI DALAM PANDANGAN MUHAMMAD SYAHRUR.” Al-Bayyinah: Journal of Islamic Law VII, no. 1 (2018): 125–42.
Nurdiansyah, Firman. “PENDAPAT MUHAMMAD SYAHRUR TENTANG POLIGAMI SERTA RELEVANSINYA BAGI RENCANA PERUBAHAN KHI.” AL-HUKAMA The Indonesian Journal of Islamic Family Law 08, no. 2 (2018): 105.
Nurul, Devira, Syaifa Lubis, Regina Akiko, Intan Amelia, and Universitas Negeri Medan. “POLIGAMI DAN SYARAT-SYARATNYA MENURUT PANDANGAN ISLAM, STUDY LITERARTUR.” Jurnal Inovasi Dan Kolaborasi Nusantara 06, no. 2 (2025): 119–33.
Putra, Adji Pratama. “Teori Limit Muhammad Syahrur Dalam Studi Islam.” J-CEKI : Jurnal Cendekia Ilmiah 1, no. 6 (2022): 833–39.
Rizkal. “Poligami Tanpa Izin Isteri Dalam Perspektif Hukum: Bentuk Kekerasan Psikis Terhadap Isteri.” Jurnal Yustika: Media Hukum Dan Keadilan 22, no. 1 (2019): 26–36.
Rosa, Andi. TAFSIR KONTEMPORER Metode Dan Orientasi Modern Dari Para Ahli Dalam Menafsirkan Ayat Al-Qur’an. Edited by Badrudin. 2nd ed. Serang: DepdikbudBantenPress, 2015.
Rosi, Fauzi Fathur, and Daafiqin Syaqiq Maulana. “Interpretasi Poligami Dalam Qs. Al-Nisa’ Ayat 3 Dan 129: Studi Perbandingan Antara Penafsiran Muhammad Syahrur Dan Muhammad Abduh.” Jurnal Ilmiah Al-Jauhari 8, no. 1 (2023): 42–64. https://doi.org/10.30603/jiaj.v8i1.3331.
S, Nur Adinda Firman, Vikri Muhammad Rizki, and Vivin Tri Muhriningsi. “HAK-HAK PEREMPUAN DALAM TAFSIR AL-MISBAH.” AT-TAISIR: Journal of Indonesian Tafsir Studies 3, no. 1 (2022): 49–60.
Salsabila, Diva Kurnia Dwi, Nanda Fitriyah, Ahsin Haris Ulinnuhac, and Muh Zamroni. “Prinsip Keadilan Dalam Syariat Islam: Antara Kewajiban Berlaku Adil Dan Larangan Dzalim.” Jurnal Kajian Islam Dan Sosial Keagamaan 2, no. 4 (2025): 680–85.
Sofida, Aeres Mesty. “MENINJAU KEMBALI AYAT-AYAT POLIGAMI : Pendekatan Hermeneutika Muhammad Syahrur Dan Implikasinya Terhadap Pemahaman Hukum Islam.” IKLILA: Jurnal Studi Islam Dan Sosial 7, no. 2 (2024): 241–59. https://doi.org/10.61941/iklila.v7i2.256.
Sunaryo, Agus. “POLIGAMI DI INDONESIA (SEBUAH ANALISIS NORMATIF-SOSIOLOGIS).” Yinyang: Jurnal Studi Islam Gender Dan Anak 5, no. 1 (2010): 143–67.
Susanti, Widia Ari, and M Sifa Fauzi Yulianis. “Poligami Dalam Pandangan Syahrur Polygamy in Syahrur ’ s View.” Jurnal Kolaboratif Sains 8, no. 1 (2025): 405–19. https://doi.org/10.56338/jks.v8i1.6702.
Syarbini, Imam. “TEORI LIMIT MUHAMMAD SYAHRUR.” Progresif: Media Publikasi Artikel, 2018.
Yuhendri, Eka. “Muhammad Syahrûr ; Theory of Limit ( Teori Batas ).” Tajdidukasi : Jurnal Penelitian & Kajian Pendidikan Islam 9, no. 1 (2019): 29–34.
Yuliyani, Ulfi. “PERAN KEJUJURAN DALAM RUMAH TANGGA LONG DISTANCE MARRIAGE DI DESA SAWOJAJAR KABUPATEN BREBES,” 2025.