AN EXAMINATION OF THE PRACTICE OF AL-ḤAḌᾹNAH (CHILD CUSTODY)AMONG THE MUSLIM PARENTS IN ILORIN

Abstract

Islamic custody is composed of Hadanah (nurturing), wilaya al-nafs (guardianship of the wellbeing of child) and wilaya al-mal(guardianship of funds/property of the child). The paper looks into
the concept and practice of Al-Ḥaḍānah (child custody) among Muslim guardians in Ilorin, a city
with a rich Islamic scholarship and cultural heritage. The study also examines the effects of cultural
factors, legislation, and the contribution of religious leaders toward moulding the practise of
custody. The qualitative approach was adopted involving the textual interpretation of Quranic
commands, Hadith and juristic opinions, as well as a survey of secondary literature. The opinions of
parents, community leaders, and religious scholars were collected in Ilorin to gain a real-life
experience and the practical use of Al-Ḥaḍānah. The findings indicated that Muslim parents in Ilorin
tend to follow the Islamic rules regarding custody with the welfare of kids being a priority. However,
the practices also rely on the local customs, family relations, and Nigerian laws. The paper has come
up with the conclusion that the Al-Ḥaḍānah practise in Ilorin is reflective of an ongoing attempt to
bring into accord the teachings of religion with the realities of society. The paper suggested further
research of comparing Al-Ḥaḍānah practises among Muslim communities in Nigeria.