Students’ Perceptions of the Importance of a Prospective Spouse’s Level of Religious Understanding in Building a Harmonious Family (A Case Study at the University of Jember)

Social change, the development of digital media, and shifting value orientations among younger generations have influenced how university students interpret religiosity and build relationships toward establishing a sakinah family. Amid the complexity of modern life, a prospective partner’s religious understanding is no longer viewed solely as an indicator of ritual piety, but also as a moral, emotional, and social foundation for creating a harmonious household. This study aims to understand students’ perceptions regarding the importance of a prospective partner’s level of religious understanding in forming a sakinah family in the contemporary era. The research employed a descriptive qualitative approach with a phenomenological perspective to explore participants’ experiences, views, and subjective reflections. Data were collected through online interviews, observations, and documentation studies involving students from University of Jember selected purposively. Data analysis was conducted through data reduction, data presentation, and interpretative thematic analysis. The findings indicate that students interpret religiosity substantively and adaptively by emphasizing morality, empathy, responsibility, emotional stability, and compatibility of life vision as essential aspects in choosing a partner and building a harmonious family.