What does this research mean for the field?

Although Islamic law formally recognizes women's right to maintenance, the effective enforcement of these rights in Nigeria is severely hindered by legal pluralism, socio-economic conditions, cultural influences, and institutional weaknesses. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the legal, socio-economic, and structural challenges affecting the recognition and enforcement of women's right to maintenance under Islamic law in plural legal contexts, focusing on Nigeria.

September 2, 2026Open Access

Women's Right to Maintenance in Islam: Contemporary Issues and Challenges

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

To examine the legal, socio-economic, and structural challenges affecting the recognition and enforcement of women's right to maintenance under Islamic law in plural legal contexts, focusing on Nigeria.
Conducted a doctrinal and legal analysis evaluating Islamic jurisprudence, customary practices, and statutory mechanisms governing spousal maintenance in Nigeria.
Carried out a comparative review of legal frameworks and enforcement models across Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, and Malaysia.
Identified legal pluralism, pervasive poverty, informal employment, and customary practices as primary obstacles preventing the realization of women's maintenance rights.
Showed that a wife's independent financial status often creates legal ambiguity regarding a husband's ongoing obligations under contemporary interpretations.
Found that evidentiary burdens, cultural pressures, and inadequate institutional coordination significantly restrict women's ability to secure arrears and judicial remedies for persistent non-maintenance.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Implication

Comparative legal analysis reveals systemic barriers hindering the enforcement of spousal maintenance among Muslim women, highlighting the urgent need for institutional reform.

Cite This Study

Ruwandoruwa et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e2c5c562ede874ec721b https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22167256

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Comparative legal analysis reveals systemic barriers hindering the enforcement of spousal maintenance among Muslim women, highlighting the urgent need for institutional reform.

Women's Right to Maintenance in Islam: Contemporary Issues and Challenges

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Women's Right to Maintenance in Islam: Contemporary Issues and Challenges

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider