ETIKA PENGGUNAAN MEDIA SOSIAL SEBAGAI STANDAR KAFA’AH DALAM PERKAWINAN PERSPEKTIF MAZHAB SYAFI’I

Abstract

The concept of kafa'ah has long been recognized in Islamic family law as an important consideration in establishing a harmonious marriage. However, the rapid development of digital technology has transformed the way young people assess compatibility in choosing a life partner. This study aims to analyze Generation Z's perceptions of social media ethics as a standard of kafa'ah and to examine this phenomenon from the perspective of the Shafi'i school of Islamic jurisprudence. The research employed a qualitative field research approach conducted in Tambakrejo Village, Jombang District, Jombang Regency. Data were collected through observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation, and were analyzed using descriptive qualitative methods. The findings reveal that Generation Z considers social media behavior as a reflection of an individual's character, morality, maturity, and responsibility. Ethical aspects such as respectful communication, privacy awareness, appropriate interaction with the opposite sex, and responsible content sharing are viewed as important indicators in evaluating a prospective spouse. From the perspective of the Shafi'i school, social media ethics is not explicitly included among the classical criteria of kafa'ah. Nevertheless, its substance is closely related to moral and religious qualities that constitute essential elements of compatibility in marriage. Therefore, social media ethics may be understood as a contemporary manifestation of moral conduct that supports the achievement of marital harmony without replacing the established principles of kafa'ah in Islamic law. The study concludes that digital behavior has become an additional consideration for Generation Z in assessing marital compatibility while remaining aligned with the fundamental objectives of Islamic family values.