WAITHOOD IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF HADITH: A THEMATIC STUDY OF THE HADITHS ON MARRIAGE READINESS

Abstract

The phenomenon of waithood, referring to the postponement of marriage, has become increasingly prevalent among contemporary Muslim youth due to educational, economic, psychological, and social considerations. While previous studies have predominantly examined waithood from sociological and Islamic family law perspectives, limited attention has been given to its interpretation through a thematic analysis of the Prophetic traditions. This study aims to examine the phenomenon of waithood from the perspective of hadith using a thematic (maudhu'i) approach and Yusuf al-Qaradawi's contextual methodology. This research employed qualitative library research by analyzing hadiths related to marriage readiness, particularly those concerning al-bā'ah, marriage as the Prophet's Sunnah, and the criteria of religion and good character in selecting a spouse. The hadiths were examined through thematic collection, takhrij, contextual interpretation, and comparative analysis using Yusuf al-Qaradawi's framework. The findings demonstrate that the Prophetic traditions provide a balanced understanding of waithood through three interconnected principles: readiness, self-discipline, and responsibility. Marriage is encouraged for individuals who possess the capability to fulfill its obligations, whereas postponement may be justified when it represents a genuine process of preparation accompanied by moral self-discipline and responsibility. This study contributes to contemporary hadith scholarship by demonstrating that waithood should be understood not merely through a normative-textual reading of hadith but through a contextual interpretation that integrates the objectives of Islamic teachings with contemporary social realities.