Transformation of Dowry from Traditional Practices to Maqashid Sharia: A Causal Analysis of Women's Dignity and Family Harmony

Marriage is a sacred institution in Islam that has moral, social, and spiritual implications. Dowry as an important element in the marriage contract has been prescribed to uphold the dignity of women and strengthen the foundation of the family. However, in social reality, the practice of dowry is often reduced to a symbol of formality or a burdensome customary burden. This phenomenon shows the distance between the implementation of dowry and the objectives of Islamic law. This research uses a qualitative approach with normative-theological and sociological methods.