SEMANGAT EGALITARIAN AL-QUR’AN DALAM OTORITAS MENGINISIASI DAN PROSEDUR PERCERAIAN

Abstract

This article aims to elaborate the egalitarian spirit of Quran on divorce authority and related procedures. It is generally believed that only men can initiate the divorce, whereas Quran also gives the same chance for women as told in QS. al-Baqarah (2): 229 through khulu’ concept. Therefore, this article is going to explore firstly the concept of divorce in Islam, including law and ethical procedures that related parties have to obey, particularly, husband and wife. The next discussion focuses on the concept of khulu’ and insights (method and rereading product of Quranic interpretation) among tafsir ahkam experts and feminists. Besides uncovering the same chance for husband and wife to initiate the divorce in the different condition and emphasis, those insights show that divorce should be the last choice to take. As a consequence, the authority initiated the divorce of husband and wife should not be based on self-interest and egoism, but egalitarian norms consideration for both parties.