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The phenomenon of mafqud (missing heirs) creates complex legal issues within Islamic inheritance law, particularly regarding the realization of justice and legal certainty in the distribution of estate assets. This study examines the legal position of mafqud as a temporary impediment in inheritance allocation and analyzes the procedural mechanisms applied by religious courts in determining mafqud status. Employing a normative juridical method, this research relies on primary legal materials, including the Qur’an, Hadith, classical fiqh references, and relevant judicial decisions, supported by secondary materials such as academic books and scholarly journals. The findings indicate that mafqud serves as a temporary barrier to inheritance distribution, requiring careful judicial assessment to ensure the protection of all heirs’ rights while remaining consistent with Islamic legal principles and the applicable national legal system. Therefore, structured and systematic procedures implemented by religious courts play an essential role in guaranteeing both justice and legal certainty in inheritance disputes involving mafqud.

The family is the smallest unit in society, within which rights and obligations exist as in social life in general. In fulfilling individual needs and interests, conflicts often arise, including disputes over inheritance distribution. Inheritance refers to the property left behind by a deceased person, which must be distributed to entitled heirs in accordance with Islamic law or customary law applicable within the community. Problems frequently emerge regarding the position of substitute heirs, particularly nephews, within the Islamic inheritance system. This study entitled “Various Aspects of Family Law in Indonesia: The Problematics of the Position of Nephews as Substitute Heirs in Islamic Law” aims to examine the status of substitute heirs in inheritance distribution and to identify the conditions under which substitute heirs are recognized in Islamic law. The research employs a normative method with a library-based approach, analyzing classical fiqh literature and scholarly opinions. The data consist of primary and secondary sources collected through document study. The findings indicate that a substitute heir is recognized when the primary heir dies after the testator but before the inheritance has been distributed, allowing the substitute heir to receive the share in accordance with Islamic legal provisions.

Family disputes over inheritance are a common social and legal issue in Indonesian society, often leading to long-term conflicts and even legal battles. This situation is influenced by the complex legal system of inheritance in Indonesia, which is pluralistic and includes Western civil law, Islamic law, and customary law. It is further complicated by social, cultural, economic, and psychological factors among the heirs. This study aims to analyze the causes of family disputes in inheritance distribution and examine the role of law in providing certainty, fairness, and benefits for all parties involved. The research method used is normative legal research with a jurisprudential approach, through the study of relevant legal regulations, legal doctrines, and court decisions. The findings show that inheritance disputes are generally caused by unfair distribution of assets, differing interpretations of law, conflicts between customary law, religious law, and national law, as well as poor communication and lack of transparency within the family. Therefore, resolving inheritance disputes requires not only the enforcement of law in a normative manner, but also non-litigious approaches such as mediation, family consultation, and increased legal awareness to maintain family harmony and legal certainty.