Urf
*Urf* is what a community habitually does or says and accepts as its norm.
What it means for me: Scholars give urf weight only when it does not contradict a clear text. It fills gaps contracts leave open, such as a going rate for the Mahr, the marriage gift. It also sets a customary standard for Nafaqah, the upkeep a husband owes, and for what a wedding normally includes. Jurists also separate general custom, shared everywhere, from local custom tied to one place or trade.
Example: A couple marries in a town where gold jewelry is the customary mahr. No number is written into the contract, so the local urf sets the expected amount.
Do not confuse with: A personal habit, Ijma, scholarly consensus, and Bidah, an innovation in worship. A habit belongs to one person. Urf belongs to a whole community or trade. Ijma settles a point of religion by scholarly agreement, not by social custom. Bidah introduces something new into worship itself, which custom cannot justify.
If scholars differ: Jurists differ on how far urf can shape the reading of a legal text. Some let a strong, general custom narrow a word's apparent scope. Others hold a clear text overrides any custom, however widespread.
See the term in context
Is it permissible to interpret "al-'urf" (the custom) in the verse: "Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good (al-'urf), and turn away from the ignorant" as the custom of the age, knowing that some jurisprudential rulings are based on custom, such as a woman's maintenance, and considering what is customarily a journey in His saying, Exalted is He: "And whoever is ill or on a journey"?
What is meant by urf (custom) is what people have become accustomed to, provided it does not contradict a textual religious injunction or a consensus. It is legally actionable and includes what people have become…
Are customs and traditions or the rulings of religion more deserving [of precedence], knowing that a woman driving a car is not entirely forbidden, and that "Al-Urf" (custom) in the noble verse: "Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good (Al-Urf), and turn away from the ignorant" (7:199) means customs and traditions?
The basic ruling is that it is permissible for a woman to drive a car, as there is no Shar'i (Islamic legal) evidence to prohibit it. However, if a woman's driving is not culturally accepted in a particular country, it…
Was the meeting of Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Malik during Hajj about issues of consensus (Ijma'), analogical reasoning (Qiyas), or custom (Urf), and who said that the legal rules for every issue should not be acted upon and that delving into them is forbidden by Sharia?
The story of the meeting between Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Malik has not been found. It is well-known that consensus (Ijma') takes precedence over analogical reasoning (Qiyas) and custom (Urf). As for custom, it takes…
Questions that use it
How can someone suffering from obsessive doubts (al-waswas) distinguish a true intention for divorce from obsessive thoughts? And does his divorce take effect if he divorces believing it does so due to obsessive doubts? And is the intention for divorce by allusive terms (kinayah) valid if the aim behind it is relief from obsessive thoughts, not the divorce itself? And are inner peace and tranquility conditions for the divorce of someone with obsessive doubts to take effect? And does the prevailing custom (urf) that considers allusive terms (kinayah) not to effect a divorce prevent the divorce by allusive terms from taking effect? And if someone with obsessive doubts divorces three times by allusive terms (kinayah) and intends divorce, while avoiding explicit wording, is that considered evidence of his lack of resolve for divorce? And is it obligatory to follow the fatwa of the muftis regarding the non-occurrence of divorce even with the belief that the wife is unlawful?
What is the correct method of istinja’ (cleaning oneself after urinating or defecating) for women, especially if urine splashes various areas such as the anus and between the labia due to a medical condition, and is it permissible to suffice with toilet paper in this case?
What are considered repulsive things? Is skin oil among them? Does a repulsive thing transmit its repulsiveness just as impurity is transmitted? And does water become repulsive if something repulsive falls into it?