Correspondence System in the Muslim Tamil Community

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 17 views

Introduction

The Muslim Tamil Community in Medan is a unique cultural group that has been shaped by the intersection of Islamic teachings and traditional Tamil values. Despite adopting Islamic law, the community's system of kinship, marriage, and inheritance remains influenced by its original culture. This study aims to explore the distribution of inheritance in the Muslim Tamil Community in Medan, examining the influence of Islamic law and the factors that hinder the resolution of inheritance disputes.

Methodology

This study employed a normative and empirical legal research method, integrating normative legal materials with primary data obtained from informants involved in inheritance cases. A sociolegal approach was used to collect data, which was then analyzed qualitatively and presented in descriptive form to provide a clear picture of the issue discussed.

Correspondence System in the Muslim Tamil Community

The results of the study revealed that the inheritance system implemented by the Tamil Muslim community in Medan is the male censure system. In this system, the oldest son has the full right to lead, control, and regulate inheritance after the heir dies. Islamic inheritance law influences the determination of the classification of heirs and the portion of inheritance between male and female heirs. This influence is formed due to religious factors and education that contribute to the formation of legal choice among individuals in the community.

The Inhibiting Factor in the Resolution of Inheritance Disputes

Several factors hinder the resolution of inheritance disputes in this community, which can be divided into internal and external factors.

Internal Factors

Closed Family System: The Tamil Muslim community has a kinship system that tends to be closed, so information about inheritance is often not widespread among family members.
Inconsistencies in Determining the Law: Legal choice determined by the heirs in the distribution of assets is often inconsistent, causing uncertainty and conflict.
The Dominance of the Oldest Brother: The existence of dominant controls from the oldest brother in managing heritage makes the distribution process biased and often harms other parties.

External Factors

Limited Social Environment: This community is often isolated from external influences, so that knowledge about the law of inheritance is not spread well.
Lack of Socialization: Lack of socialization about the law of Islamic inheritance causes many members of the community who do not understand their rights and obligations related to heritage.

Conclusion

This study shows that the distribution of inheritance in the Muslim Tamil Community in Medan is still influenced by traditional cultural values despite the strong influence of Islamic law. This situation creates challenges in resolving inheritance disputes, which are influenced by both internal and external factors. To improve this situation, it is necessary to increase public knowledge about the law of Islamic inheritance and the importance of managing a fair and transparent inheritance. Better socialization and education efforts regarding the rights and obligations in inheritance can help reduce conflict and increase justice in the distribution of inheritance in this community.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Increase Public Knowledge: Efforts should be made to increase public knowledge about the law of Islamic inheritance and its importance in managing a fair and transparent inheritance.
Socialization and Education: Better socialization and education efforts regarding the rights and obligations in inheritance should be implemented to reduce conflict and increase justice in the distribution of inheritance.
Community Engagement: Community engagement and participation in the inheritance process should be encouraged to promote a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members.
Legal Assistance: Access to legal assistance and counseling should be provided to community members to help them navigate the inheritance process and resolve disputes in a fair and just manner.

By implementing these recommendations, the Muslim Tamil Community in Medan can work towards creating a more just and equitable system of inheritance, one that balances traditional cultural values with the principles of Islamic law.

Q1: What is the inheritance system implemented by the Tamil Muslim community in Medan?

A1: The inheritance system implemented by the Tamil Muslim community in Medan is the male censure system, where the oldest son has the full right to lead, control, and regulate inheritance after the heir dies.

Q2: How does Islamic inheritance law influence the determination of the classification of heirs and the portion of inheritance between male and female heirs?

A2: Islamic inheritance law influences the determination of the classification of heirs and the portion of inheritance between male and female heirs due to religious factors and education that contribute to the formation of legal choice among individuals in the community.

Q3: What are the internal factors that hinder the resolution of inheritance disputes in the Tamil Muslim community in Medan?

A3: The internal factors that hinder the resolution of inheritance disputes in the Tamil Muslim community in Medan include:

Closed Family System: The Tamil Muslim community has a kinship system that tends to be closed, so information about inheritance is often not widespread among family members.
Inconsistencies in Determining the Law: Legal choice determined by the heirs in the distribution of assets is often inconsistent, causing uncertainty and conflict.
The Dominance of the Oldest Brother: The existence of dominant controls from the oldest brother in managing heritage makes the distribution process biased and often harms other parties.

Q4: What are the external factors that hinder the resolution of inheritance disputes in the Tamil Muslim community in Medan?

A4: The external factors that hinder the resolution of inheritance disputes in the Tamil Muslim community in Medan include:

Limited Social Environment: This community is often isolated from external influences, so that knowledge about the law of inheritance is not spread well.
Lack of Socialization: Lack of socialization about the law of Islamic inheritance causes many members of the community who do not understand their rights and obligations related to heritage.

Q5: What are the recommendations to improve the distribution of inheritance in the Tamil Muslim community in Medan?

A5: The recommendations to improve the distribution of inheritance in the Tamil Muslim community in Medan include:

Increase Public Knowledge: Efforts should be made to increase public knowledge about the law of Islamic inheritance and its importance in managing a fair and transparent inheritance.
Socialization and Education: Better socialization and education efforts regarding the rights and obligations in inheritance should be implemented to reduce conflict and increase justice in the distribution of inheritance.
Community Engagement: Community engagement and participation in the inheritance process should be encouraged to promote a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members.
Legal Assistance: Access to legal assistance and counseling should be provided to community members to help them navigate the inheritance process and resolve disputes in a fair and just manner.

Q6: How can the Tamil Muslim community in Medan balance traditional cultural values with the principles of Islamic law in the distribution of inheritance?

A6: The Tamil Muslim community in Medan can balance traditional cultural values with the principles of Islamic law in the distribution of inheritance by:

Promoting Education and Awareness: Educating community members about the principles of Islamic law and its importance in managing a fair and transparent inheritance.
Encouraging Community Engagement: Encouraging community members to participate in the inheritance process and promote a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Providing Legal Assistance: Providing access to legal assistance and counseling to help community members navigate the inheritance process and resolve disputes in a fair and just manner.

By addressing these FAQs, we hope to provide a better understanding of the distribution of inheritance in the Muslim Tamil Community in Medan City and the challenges that come with it.