Child Maintenance after Divorce: Review on the practices in  Malaysian Shariah Courts

Nurhidayah Muhammad Hashim; Tim Lindsey; Zuliza Mohd Kusrin; Aishah Mohd Nor

doi:10.21834/e-bpj.v9i29.6024

Authors

Nurhidayah Muhammad Hashim Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies (ACIS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Malaysia
Tim Lindsey The University of Melbourne
Zuliza Mohd Kusrin Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia
Aishah Mohd Nor Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies (ACIS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v9i29.6024

Keywords:

Divorce, Child Maintenance, Malaysia, Shariah Courts

Abstract

This paper reviews the practices of the Shariah courts in Malaysia in determining child maintenance applications. It adopts the qualitative legal research methodology, where data was collected from international treaties, legislation, and child maintenance cases decided by the courts and analyzed descriptively and thematically. The study reveals the existence of non-standardization practices related to the assessment of the needs of the child and the father's ability due to the general provisions and the absence of guidelines for judges. This study highlights the need for establishing guidelines to ensure children can enjoy a better quality of life even after divorce.

Author Biographies

Tim Lindsey, The University of Melbourne

Professor of Islamic Law

Zuliza Mohd Kusrin, Faculty of Islamic Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia

Associate Professor at the Faculty of Islamic Studies

Aishah Mohd Nor, Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies (ACIS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Malaysia

Senior Lecturer at the Academy of Islamic Studies

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