Are the customs and traditions of the Prophetic era, or the customs and traditions of each people, to be considered in the Sharia rulings that incorporate custom and habit—and for which the Sharia has not specified a limit? Is it permissible to compel and apply Sharia rulings that include custom and habit to people of an era who do not share the same customs, or are those rulings binding only on those people? Are others bound by the customs of the Prophetic era? And if it is known in an environment that there is no distinction in drumming between men and women, is it permissible for men to play the duff (tambourine) in this case?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The Wise Lawgiver makes custom a criterion for certain legal rulings, such as men imitating women in dress. If the duff (hand drum) is specific to women in a certain time or place, then men playing it constitutes an imitation of them. However, for matters whose prohibition or permissibility is not based on custom, but rather were prohibited or permitted by the original Islamic law, custom has no effect on them. An example is the prohibition of gold for men and its permissibility for women; custom does not alter a fixed ruling of Islamic law.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 85124
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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