The Practice of High Dowry in Marriages in the Gunung Terang Community: Maqāṣid al-Syarī'ah's Study of Social Status and Family Benefits

Abstract

The practice of setting high dowries in customary marriages often draws public scrutiny due to the risk of placing an economic burden on the groom and hindering marriage. This study aims to analyze the practice of high dowries among the Lampung Pepadun indigenous community in Tiyuh Gunung Terang and examine it through the perspective of *Maqāṣid al-Syarī‘ah* (the objectives of Islamic law). Employing an empirical legal research method with a socio-legal approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation of customary processions, and document analysis. The findings indicate that the dowry amount is influenced by the woman's education level, social stratification, and the *Piil Pesenggiri* value system. Although prestige plays a role, the dowry value remains flexible through customary deliberation (*rasan tuho*). Viewed through the lens of *Maqāṣid al-Syarī‘ah*, this practice fosters tangible public benefit (*maṣlaḥah*) by safeguarding wealth (*ḥifẓ al-māl*), lineage (*ḥifẓ al-nasl*), and dignity (*ḥifẓ al-‘ird*); the dowry is converted—via the *sesan* tradition—into initial capital for the new household's self-sufficiency. It is recommended that the community and customary leaders continue to prioritize inclusive deliberation and formulate proportional customary guidelines to ensure the tradition does not become a financial barrier, while also expanding comparative studies across *kebuayan* (clan groups) regarding the adaptation of customary values ​​in the digital era.