Keperluan pekerja wanita Islam yang kematian suami ketika menjalani iḥdād

(The needs of muslim female employees experiencing husband’s death during iḥdād)

Abstract

Iḥdād is a religious obligation prescribed by Islamic law for Muslim women whose husbands have passed away, to be observed throughout the ʿiddah period of four months and ten days, as stipulated in the Qurʾān and the Sunnah. This obligation also applies to working women, although Islamic law provides flexibility for them to leave the house for work due to necessity. Nevertheless, they remain bound by certain prohibitions that must be observed throughout this period. Within the context of the modern workplace, questions arise regarding the real needs and challenges faced by Muslim women undergoing iḥdād, particularly in terms of emotional well‑being, career continuity, and institutional support. This study aims to identify and analyse the primary needs of Muslim working women who have experienced the death of their husbands during the iḥdād period. Employing a qualitative approach, semi‑structured interviews were conducted with ten respondents from the public and private sectors who had undergone iḥdād. The interview data were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using ATLAS.ti software version 8.4.15 through thematic analysis. The findings identified nine key needs: financial assistance; emotional support from employers; additional leave; employer awareness of iḥdād; childcare management support; flexible working hours; knowledge dissemination; clear iḥdād guidelines; and exemptions or flexibility in job responsibilities. The study proposes the establishment of institutional support mechanisms and Shariah‑friendly workplace policies through the development of an Iḥdād Support Model, to ensure that working women are able to fulfil their religious obligations with peace of mind without compromising their livelihood needs and career sustainability.

Iḥdād merupakan salah satu kewajipan syarak yang dikenakan ke atas wanita Islam yang kematian suami sepanjang tempoh iddah iaitu selama empat bulan sepuluh hari, sebagaimana yang ditetapkan oleh al-Qur’an dan al-Sunnah. Kewajipan ini turut terpakai kepada wanita berkerjaya, meskipun syariat memberikan kelonggaran untuk keluar bekerja atas keperluan mendesak. Walau bagaimanapun, mereka tetap terikat dengan larangan tertentu yang perlu dipatuhi sepanjang tempoh tersebut. Dalam konteks dunia pekerjaan moden, wujud persoalan berhubung bentuk keperluan dan cabaran sebenar yang dihadapi oleh wanita Islam yang menjalani iḥdād, khususnya dari aspek emosi, kelangsungan kerjaya, dan sokongan institusi. Kajian ini bertujuan mengenal pasti dan menganalisis keperluan utama pekerja wanita Islam yang kematian suami semasa tempoh iḥdād. Menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif, temu bual separa berstruktur telah dijalankan ke atas sepuluh orang responden daripada sektor awam dan swasta yang pernah menjalani tempoh iḥdād. Data temu bual dirakam, ditranskripsikan, dan dianalisis menggunakan perisian ATLAS.ti versi 8.4.15 melalui kaedah analisis tematik. Dapatan kajian mengenal pasti sembilan keperluan utama, iaitu bantuan kewangan, sokongan emosi daripada majikan, cuti tambahan, kesedaran majikan mengenai iḥdād, bantuan pengurusan anak, waktu kerja fleksibel, pendedahan ilmu, garis panduan iḥdād, serta pengecualian dan kelonggaran tugas. Kajian ini mencadangkan pembentukan mekanisme sokongan institusi dan polisi tempat kerja yang mesra Syariah melalui Model Sokongan Iḥdād yang dibina bagi memastikan wanita berkerjaya dapat menunaikan tuntutan agama dengan tenang tanpa menjejaskan keperluan hidup dan kelangsungan kerjaya mereka.