Abstract:
This study aims to analyze the inheritance distribution system under Batak Karo customary law in modern
society and to examine its legal position and validity for Muslim Batak Karo communities from the perspectives of Islamic
law and national law. The issue arises because the patrilineal system of Batak Karo customary law, which prioritizes sons,
potentially differs from the principles of justice and proportional distribution in Islamic inheritance law. This situation
raises questions regarding the harmonization between custom and sharia, as well as its juridical implications in the event
of a dispute. The research employs a normative legal method using statutory and conceptual approaches. Primary legal
materials include Law Number 3 of 2006 and the Compilation of Islamic Law, supported by literature and academic
journals as secondary legal sources. The analysis is conducted qualitatively through systematic interpretation. The findings
indicate that Batak Karo customary inheritance distribution continues to exist through family deliberation mechanisms;
however, within Muslim families, adjustments have been made to align with the principles of faraidh. Socially, customary
distribution is considered valid when agreed upon by all heirs, but juridically, it is subject to Islamic law if a dispute is
brought before the Religious Court.
