The Concept of Family Building According to Imam Al-Ghazali in Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din and Its Relevance to Contemporary Muslim

Authors

  • Andi Muh. Ishak Institut Ilmu Al-Qur'an (IIQ) Jannatu Adnin Kendari, Indonesia.
  • Salman Al Farisi Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, Indonesia.
  • Andi Tenri Leleang Universitas Sains Islam Al Mawaddah Warrahmah Kolaka, Indonesia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30651/mqsd.v15i2.33435

Abstract

Muslim families face various contemporary challenges, particularly parenting crises, declining moral education, and the weakening of the family’s role as a primary institution for character formation. Although previous studies have examined family life in the thought of Imam Al-Ghazali, limited attention has been given to reconstructing his ideas in Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din into a comprehensive concept of family building that is relevant to strengthening contemporary Muslim family resilience. This study aims to analyze the concept of family building according to Imam Al-Ghazali in Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din and examine its relevance to contemporary Muslim family resilience. This study employs a library research method with a normative-philosophical approach. The primary source is Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din, supported by relevant scholarly literature as secondary sources. The data were analyzed using content analysis through the identification, categorization, interpretation, and synthesis of Al-Ghazali’s ideas concerning family life. The findings indicate that Al-Ghazali’s concept of family building is based on the integration of spiritual, moral, relational, and educational resilience. The novelty of this study lies in reconstructing Al-Ghazali’s thought into a conceptual framework of family building that integrates these four dimensions as a foundation for strengthening Muslim family resilience. This study contributes to the development of Islamic Family Law scholarship by demonstrating how classical Islamic thought can provide a conceptual foundation for addressing contemporary challenges faced by Muslim families.

 

Keywords: Imam Al-Ghazali; Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din; family building; family resilience; contemporary Muslim families.

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Published

27-08-2026

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2026): Maqasid: Jurnal Studi Hukum Islam

Section

Artikel

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Copyright (c) 2026 Andi Muh. Ishak, Andi Tenri, Salman Al Farisi

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