DISTORTION OF THE MEANING OF BIRRUL WALIDAIN: AN ANALYSIS OF PARENTS' MISUNDERSTANDING OF POWER RELATIONS AND CHILDREN'S DEMANDS FOR OBEDIENCE IN MUSLIM FAMILIES

Autor(s): Amir Bandar Abdul Majid
DOI: 10.24260/khatulistiwa.v15i2.3949

Abstract

This study examines the distortion of the meaning of birrul walidain in contemporary Muslim families, where the obligation to do good to parents is often reduced to absolute obedience influenced by patriarchal culture and power relations. Using a critical-interpretive qualitative approach and a phenomenological-hermeneutic design, this study explores the experiences of parents and children through in-depth interviews and participant observation. The analysis uses Foucault's theory of power relations, Erikson's developmental psychology, and the relational ethics of maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah. The results reveal that reducing birrul walidain to mere total obedience gives rise to the phenomenon of toxic obedience that limits children's autonomy, hinders identity formation, and weakens self-confidence. In contrast, families that integrate religious values with the principles of developmental psychology are able to create a dialogical and humanistic relationship pattern, so that birr is understood as compassion, openness, and moral collaboration.

Keywords

Birrul Walidain, Power Relations, Child Obedience, Developmental Psychology, Islamic Family Education

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