Family Development Strategies of Ibn Sina: A Thematic Analysis on Contemporary Muslim Family Well-being

Authors

Zaiton Mustafa

Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu (Malaysia)

Hishamuddin Salim

Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu (Malaysia)

Noor Eliza Abdul Rahman

Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu (Malaysia)

Nik Murshidah Nik Din

Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu (Malaysia)

Rahimah Embong

Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu (Malaysia)

Article Information

DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2025.930000026

Subject Category: Social science

Volume/Issue: 9/30 | Page No: 199-207

Publication Timeline

Submitted: 2025-12-10

Accepted: 2025-12-16

Published: 2025-12-25

Abstract

This study explores Ibn Sina’s family development strategies as articulated in al-Siyāsah and examines their contemporary relevance to Muslim family well-being in Terengganu, Malaysia. Employing a qualitative research design, data were collected through document analysis of al-Siyāsah and in-depth semi-structured interviews with nine married couples who had been married for more than ten years. The data were analysed using thematic analysis guided by Braun and Clarke’s six-phase approach. The findings revealed seven core themes that underpin Ibn Sina’s family development model: the selection of a righteous spouse, the establishment of a peaceful and comfortable home, moral leadership and spousal partnership, the pursuit of lawful income, ethical financial management, the cultivation of moral virtues within the family, and the fulfilment of reciprocal family responsibilities. This study contributes to Islamic family studies by recontextualising Ibn Sina’s thought into a holistic conceptual framework for modern family well-being, integrating spiritual, moral, and socio-economic dimensions with implications for Islamic family education, counselling practices, and family policy formulation.

Keywords

Ibn Sina, Islamic family development

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