Religion, Education, and Family Harmony: Meranaw Religious Scholars’ Narratives of Islamic Inheritance in the Philippines

Khalid D. Daud(1), Jamila T. Aniego(2),


(1) Mindanao State University
(2) Mindanao State University
Corresponding Author

Abstract


Islamic inheritance (Fara’id) is both a religious obligation and a social institution affecting family relations in Muslim communities. This study explores how Meranaw religious scholars understand, teach, and negotiate Islamic inheritance within Meranaw cultural contexts. Using narrative inquiry, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 purposively selected Meranaw Ustads in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Philippines. The findings identify Fara’id as a framework for divine justice and family harmony, while highlighting the educational role of Ustads in addressing limited inheritance knowledge, customary influences, and women’s inheritance rights. Cultural concepts including taritib ago igma, maratabat, and adat shape how inheritance is understood and practiced. The study highlights religious education as a bridge between Islamic principles, cultural traditions, and family harmony.

Keywords


Family harmony; Islamic inheritance; Meranaw culture; Religious education; Religious scholars.

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