Protection of Family Privacy in Islamic Law: A Review of the Prohibition Against Exposing Household Faults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70211/gils.v1i2.390Keywords:
Family Privacy, Islamic Law, Household Disgrace, DisgraceIslamic Family Law, Maqasid Al-Shariah, Social Media EthicsAbstract
This study examines the protection of family privacy in Islamic law in response to the growing practice of publicly disclosing household conflicts and private family information through social media. Using normative Islamic legal research and a descriptive-analytical library design, the study analyzes primary Islamic sources, selected fiqh principles, the MUI Fatwa No. 24 of 2017 on social media interaction, and recent scholarship on digital privacy, family resilience, and psychosocial harm. The analysis shows that concealing household faults is not merely a matter of interpersonal courtesy, but a Sharia-oriented mechanism for protecting honor (hifz al-'ird), lineage (hifz al-nasl), psychological safety, and family stability. Nevertheless, the prohibition is not absolute. Disclosure is permissible, and may become necessary, when it is proportionate, evidence-based, and directed toward lawful objectives such as legal testimony, protection from violence, child safeguarding, mediation, or professional consultation. The article contributes a conceptual framework that distinguishes blameworthy exposure from justified disclosure in the digital public sphere. It argues that Islamic family privacy ethics must be applied alongside contemporary digital communication norms to prevent reputational harm while preserving access to justice and protection for vulnerable family members.
References
[1] M. N. Ardi, M. C. Nizar, S. D. Maharani, G. A. B. Menoh, and A. Rosyid, “Family Harmony and Quality of Life: A Personal Relationship Approach of Gabriel Marcel in the Age of Social Media Networks,” Samarah, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 1416–1438, 2025. https://doi.org/10.22373/epnem321
[2] T. Abdullah, “Joint Family System and Its Impact on Marital Conflict and Decision-Making Autonomy: Mediated by Perceived In-Laws’ Influence in Rural Pakistan,” Fam. J., Oct. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807251384193
[3] A. Litawati Lioe, “The Role of Marital Commitment and Family Support For Marital Satisfaction In Childless Couples,” Eduvest - J. Univers. Stud., vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 1–8, Jan. 2023. https://doi.org/10.36418/eduvest.v3i1.712
[4] A. A. Almoabbadi, “Believers’ Right Toward Each Other’s in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet, Surat Al-Hujurat as an Example,” Quranica, vol. 16, no. 2 Special issue 12, pp. 231–269, 2024. https://doi.org/10.22452/quranica.vol16no2.13
[5] M. D. Irfan Mohd Azam, M. I. Asyraf Ahmad, and M. H. Rosidi, “The Disclosure of a Spouse’s Disgrace Before and After Divorce: A Maqasid al-Shariah-Based Legal Analysis of the ‘Spill the Tea’ and ‘Exposing Ex’ Phenomenon,” Int. J. Res. Innov. Soc. Sci., vol. IX, no. VI, pp. 5200–5206, 2025. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.906000396
[6] L. Ordóñez Pineda and S. Calva Jiménez, “Threats to the privacy of young persons (minors) from sharenting,” Rev. Chil. Derecho y Tecnol., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 105–130, 2021. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-2584.2020.55333
[7] J. Adu, A. Oudshoorn, K. Anderson, C. A. Marshall, H. Stuart, and M. F. Owusu, “Family Members’ Perspectives on Mental Illness Stigma: A Community Study,” Can. J. Nurs. Res., May 2025. https://doi.org/10.1177/08445621251343167
[8] R. L. van Eickels, A. Tsarpalis-Fragkoulidis, and M. Zemp, “Family cohesion, shame-proneness, expressive suppression, and adolescent mental health-A path model approach,” Front. Psychol., vol. 13, Aug. 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.921250
[9] F. Mu, F. Batrisyia, B. Mohd, and D. M. Hasyimi, “Mubadalah as a Pillar of Family Resilience in Indonesia in Facing the Challenges of Information Disruption,” vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 35–49, 2025. https://doi.org/10.70992/tamhse32
[10] S. Mas’udah, “Familial relationships and efforts in retention of marriage among atomistic families in Indonesia,” Cogent Soc. Sci., vol. 8, no. 1, Dec. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2022.2046313
[11] E. Olcay Imamoğlu, M. Ads, and C. C. Weisfeld, “What Is the Impact of Choosing One’s Spouse on Marital Satisfaction of Wives and Husbands? The Case of Arranged and Self-Choice Turkish Marriages,” J. Fam. Issues, vol. 40, no. 10, pp. 1270–1298, Jul. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X19835874
[12] A. J. Rodriguez and G. Margolin, “Wives’ and Husbands’ Cortisol Reactivity to Proximal and Distal Dimensions of Couple Conflict,” Fam. Process, vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 555–569, Sep. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12037
[13] N. V. Roman et al., “Strengthening Family Bonds: A Systematic Review of Factors and Interventions That Enhance Family Cohesion,” Soc. Sci., vol. 14, no. 6, p. 371, Jun. 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14060371
[14] Z. K. Pala and Ç. Y. Güler, “Forty years on one pillow: an examination of long-term marital dynamics,” BMC Psychol., vol. 14, no. 1, p. 514, Mar. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-026-04135-y
[15] E. Sadeghian, S. A. Ghasemi, and M. Maddineshat, “Exploring marriage beliefs from the perspectives of married students,” Front. Psychol., vol. 16, Feb. 2025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1481905
[16] D. A. Gede Agung, A. M. Nasih, Sumarmi, Idris, and B. Kurniawan, “Local wisdom as a model of interfaith communication in creating religious harmony in Indonesia,” Soc. Sci. Humanit. Open, vol. 9, p. 100827, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.100827
[17] A. Mahmud, Buku Keluarga Sakinah - Akilah Mahmud. Makassar: University Press, 2012.
[18] M. Khusaini, H. Hariri, M. R. Pratama, and M. Rahmatan, “Creating a Harmonious Family Through Social Media Facebook in West Lampung,” El-Mashlahah, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 139–152, Dec. 2022. https://doi.org/10.23971/el-mashlahah.v12i2.3937
[19] A. Z. Firdaus, A. A. Muhammad, H. Haerunnisa, S. Supriyadi, and M. R. Kurniawan, “The Role of a Harmonious Family in Shaping Tolerant Attitudes in a Multicultural Society,” Kawanua Int. J. Multicult. Stud., vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 159–172, Dec. 2024. https://doi.org/10.30984/kijms.v5i2.1152
[20] R. Santoso and F. Mu’in, “Peran Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) Lampung Menghadapi Era Disrupsi Informasi,” Ath Thariq J. Dakwah dan Komun., vol. 4, no. 1, p. 79, 2020. https://doi.org/10.32332/ath_thariq.v4i1.2026
[21] A. Kasdi, U. Farida, M. Huda, A. F. A. Rahman, and A. Dakhoir, “Fatwa and Religious Authority: Islamic Law, Social Media Ethics and Digital Age,” Al-Ahkam J. Ilmu Syari’ah dan Huk., vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 56–66, Mar. 2026. https://doi.org/10.22515/alahkam.v11i1.10755
[22] Nur Asiah, “Maslahah Menurut Konsep Imam Al Ghazali,” DIKTUM J. Syariah dan Huk., vol. 18, 2020. https://doi.org/10.35905/diktum.v18i1.663
[23] R. A. Muaygil, N. A. Abouammoh, A. M. Madkhali, L. H. Almana, and R. N. Aldekhyyel, “Truth-telling and devastating disclosures Navigating the tension between ethical and cultural obligations in Saudi Arabia,” BMC Med. Ethics, vol. 26, no. 1, p. 159, Nov. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-025-01307-0
[24] A. Belhaj, “Political Loyalty, Justice, and Trust: A Thematic Study of the Concept of Betrayal (kh-w-n) in the Qur’ān,” Islam. Stud., vol. 63, no. 2, pp. 147–165, 2024. https://doi.org/10.52541/isiri.v63i2.3202
[25] A. Osman, “The Right to be Forgotten: an Islamic Perspective,” Hum. Rights Rev., vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 53–73, Mar. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12142-022-00672-2
[26] D. Sartika, M. Novendri S, S. Putri, and R. Mulyani, “Prevention Strategies for Cyberbullying Based on Hadiths: A Thematic Analysis of Hadiths Pertaining to Ethical Communication,” An-Nida’, vol. 49, no. 2, p. 165, Dec. 2025. https://doi.org/10.24014/an-nida.v49i2.38192
[27] H. A. Azkiyah, “Cyber Cheating as a Form of Violation of Wife’s Rights in Islamic Family Law,” BUSTANUL FUQAHA J. Bid. Huk. Islam, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 360–375, 2025. https://doi.org/10.36701/bustanul.v6i2.2317
[28] H. H. Irving and M. Benjamin, “Therapeutic Family Mediation: Practice Principles and Ecosystemic Processes,” in Family Mediation: Contemporary Issues, Thousand Oaks, CA, USA: SAGE Publications, Inc., 1995, pp. 147–201. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452243566.n4
[29] M. A. Urrahman, “Analisis Konsekuensi Publikasi Masalah Rumah Tangga di Media Sosial dengan Perspektif Sad Adzdzari’ah,” J. Darussalam Pemikir. Huk. Tata Negara dan Perbandingan Huk.
[30] A. Sala, L. Porcaro, and E. Gómez, “Social Media Use and Adolescents’ Mental Health and Well-Being: An Umbrella Review,” Comput. Hum. Behav. Reports, vol. 14, p. 100404, May 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100404
[31] D. Novita, M. Sar’an, A. Ahmad Ridwansah, and H. Ardiansyah, “Family Conflict Disclosure on Social Media in Islamic Law: Islah as a Reconciliation Mechanism,” Al-Istinbath J. Huk. Islam, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 443–458, 2025. https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v10i1.12658
[32] O. S. Ahmed, H. A. Hasan, S. D. S. Bazool, A. Mirzaeva, and O. Y. S. Al-Musawi, “Fitnah in the Digital Age: Regulating Social Media Misuse Through Islamic Criminal Principles,” Al-Istinbath J. Huk. Islam, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 535–562, Aug. 2025. https://doi.org/10.29240/jhi.v10i2.13369
[33] N. Liu and S. Chen, “The Protection Mechanism of Personal Health Information in the Digital Economy Environment,” J. Environ. Public Health, vol. 2022, no. 1, Jan. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/2314468
[34] N. Anggraini, “Social Cohesion and Social Media Threats to Families in the Digital Era,” vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 796–813, 2025. https://doi.org/10.33019/society.v13i2.833
[35] V. Auriemma, G. Iorio, M. Merico, and L. Tavares Galindo Filho, “Editorial: Blurring Boundaries: Reconfiguring Social and Digital Spaces,” Front. Sociol., vol. 9, May 2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2024.1420030
[36] M. A. Chaharborj, V. Biktash, and K. Juost, “The Scope of Spouses’ Privacy from the Perspective of Verses and Narrations,” Int. J. Multicult. Multireligious Underst., pp. 304–315, 2025.
[37] D. H. F. Manongga, A. C. Irawati, and B. Handitya, “Defamation: An Analytical Review,” vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 137–146, 2023.
[38] M. Jamin, “Social Conflict Resolution Through Empowerment of Local Wisdoms,” Yust. J. Huk., vol. 9, no. 1, p. 1, 2020. https://doi.org/10.20961/yustisia.v9i1.39430
[39] E. Saragih, V. Paramarta, G. I. Thungari, B. Kalangi, and K. M. Putri, “Era Disrupsi Digital pada Perkembangan Teknologi di Indonesia,” Transform. J. Econ. Bus. Manag., vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 141–149, 2023. https://doi.org/10.56444/transformasi.v2i4.1152
[40] W. Li, C. Heward, A. Merrick, B. Astridge, and T. Leow, “Prevalence of Experiencing Public Humiliation and Its Effects on Victims’ Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” J. Pacific Rim Psychol., vol. 18, May 2024. https://doi.org/10.1177/18344909241252325
[41] O. A. A.-M. Mohamad, “Sanctity of Home in Islamic Law,” J. Leg. Ethical Regul. Issues, vol. 24, no. Special Issue 1, pp. 1–11, 2021.
[42] S. M. Muhsin, “Medical Confidentiality Ethics: The Genesis of an Islamic Juristic Perspective,” J. Relig. Health, vol. 61, no. 4, pp. 3219–3232, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01313-7
[43] F. R. Karim, “Wilāya, Enjoying Good and Forbidding Evil: Q 9:71 and the Qurānic Ethic of Reciprocity in Gender Relations,” J. Islam. Ethics, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1163/24685542-20250005
[44] O. M. Abou-Bakr, “The Egalitarian Principle of ‘Qist’ as Lived Ethic: Towards a Liberational Tafsir,” Religions, vol. 14, no. 9, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14091087
[45] A. D. Hossain and M. Salama, “Reconstructing Society in the Light of Sūrat al-Ḥujurāt: Protecting Society from Malicious Tongue,” Islam. Stud., vol. 62, no. 3, pp. 303–331, 2023. https://doi.org/10.52541/isiri.v62i3.2703
[46] R. Sönmez, “Explanation of the Concepts of ‘Nur’ and ‘Miskat’ in Alevism and Bektashism in the Context of the 35th Verse of Surah An-Nur and Conversion to the Form of Worship,” Turk Kult. ve Haci Bektas Veli - Arastirma Derg., vol. 2021, no. 97, pp. 177–187, 2021. https://doi.org/10.34189/hbv.97.011
[47] E. Gorian and N. D. Osman, “Digital Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates,” Malaysian J. Syariah Law, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 583–597, 2024. https://doi.org/10.33102/mjsl.vol12no3.798
[48] M. Kazi Abdul and F. Khandaker Mursheda, The Principles of Qur’anic Research Methodology: Deriving the Process of Knowledge from Revelation. KMF Publishers, 2026. https://doi.org/10.64907/xkmf.book.pqrm.26.02.12
[49] A. Safiq, M. M. Huda, and A. Khamid, “The Universal Value of Islam as Rahmatan Lil’Alamin,” Indones. J. Islam. Relig. Cult., vol. 1, no. 1, 2024.
[50] E. Zuhriah, E. S. Rahmawati, M. Aprilyanti, U. Chaidaroh, and M. Ch, “Childfree, the Digital Era, and Islamic Law: Views of Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, and Gender Activists in Malang, Indonesia,” Samarah, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 1606–1626, 2023. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v7i3.17753
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Relit Nur Edi, Abuzar Alghifari
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.