Malaysian child-free choices challenge Islamic norms

 

In mid-2024, Malaysia’s Malay language social media platforms were abuzz with heated debates over the rising trend of child-free marriages, where couples deliberately choose not to have children.

The topic gained traction after couples shared stories about leading fulfilling child-free lives.

The country’s religious authorities and ministers also weighed in.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar claimed the trend contradicts Islamic teachings and stressed the importance of family by referencing Quranic verses.

He said the child-free lifestyle goes against the sunnah (sayings and teachings) of Prophet Muhammad, who encouraged having children, and is considered makruh (discouraged) to avoid having children solely to escape responsibility.

The Federal Territories Mufti’s Office explained that while being child-free due to health risks is permissible, choosing this path without a valid reason is not encouraged in Islamic jurisprudence.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar

Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri defended the rights of couples to choose a child-free life.

Her statement was made after a parliamentary debate discussing Malaysia’s low total fertility rate, adding that the government is committed to helping couples who wish to have children but are facing infertility issues.

These responses from government officials and religious authorities highlight the significance of the issue in Malaysia, where public discourse is often intertwined with religion and nearly two-thirds of the population are Muslim.

Arguments rooted in religion

The debate on Malay social media can be categorised into three perspectives: supporters of the child-free trend citing economic and psychological reasons; opponents grounded in religious interpretations and the perceived purpose of marriage; and “contextualists” who see child-free decisions as acceptable only under certain conditions.

Religion plays a crucial role in these discussions, especially in Malay social media, where most arguments are rooted in religious beliefs.

This trend is reinforced by local scholars or religious authorities who also label the child-free trend as “unIslamic”. They believe Islam encourages marriages for couples to have children as it is a natural part of life and has specific purposes within Islamic jurisprudence.

These religious arguments reflect the deep connection between Malay identity and Islam in Malaysia, as well as the influence of religious content in Malay language media and literature.

This religious justification reflects the broader tendency in Malaysia to anchor social debates in religious terms, particularly within the Malay-speaking community.

Social media influencers, bestselling books

The popularity of using religious sentiments could be attributed to several factors: the general identity or belonging of being Malay and Muslim in Malaysia, the supply of reading materials in Malay, and the influence of religious leaders, celebrity preachers, or social media influencers.

The popularity of religious discourse in Malaysia is further proven by the thriving demand for religious books, which consistently top the bestseller lists at local bookstores.

This demand has shaped the supply of reading materials, reinforcing the reliance on religious arguments in public discussions.

Moreover, the rise of young religious influencers on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram has solidified the expectation that social issues discussed in Malay must be framed within a religious context.

This phenomenon has sidelined other approaches, such as philosophical, sociological, or historical perspectives, in favour of religious justifications, even when they lack strong argumentative support.

Changing norms

However, as society evolves, so too does religious thought.

While current debates on child-free marriages are grounded in centuries-old jurisprudence, the world is moving towards a future that may challenge these traditional views.

Unsustainable development, widening economic inequalities, and global population issues could mean having children in the future would be seen as an archaic move.

Whatever happens, what is considered a family will likely continue to evolve, as it has for hundreds of years. - Mkini

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HAZMAN BAHAROM is pursuing his PhD in politics and religions at Waseda University, Japan, and is a translator of Japanese literature. He also serves as Malaysia’s national coach at the International Philosophy Olympiad.

Originally published under Creative Commons by 360info™.