Consideration Of Custom and Practice in Islam
By Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi, New Age Islam
09 April 2026
Abstract:
Islam is a religion of nature, mercy, and practicality. It recognises human needs, social customs, and changing circumstances. In Islamic law, the Qur’an and Sunnah are the main sources, but custom (‘urf) is also accepted as a supporting guide. However, a custom is only valid if it does not go against Islamic teachings or promote anything unlawful. Islamic scholars explain that rulings based on custom may change over time because people’s needs and social conditions change. Ignoring these changes can create hardship, which goes against the purpose of Islamic law. The Qur’an and Hadith also show that everyday practices can be based on common customs. At the same time, Islam places limits on customs to protect its core values. Overall, Islamic law is balanced, flexible, and suitable for every society and time.
Main Points:
· Islam accepts customs if they do not go against Qur’an and Sunnah teachings.
· Customs help explain and support Islamic law in daily life situations and practices clearly.
· Rulings based on custom can change as society and human needs change over time.
· Islam allows flexibility but keeps customs within clear religious limits and moral boundaries always.
· Islamic law aims for ease, justice, and removing hardship while guiding people in every era.
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Islam is truly a religion of nature and mercy. Because of this, Islamic law takes into account human needs, social requirements, and cultural practices. The concept of custom and habit (‘urf and ‘adah) is an important principle in Islamic law. It shows that Islam is a complete, natural, and practical religion. It is not limited to theoretical teachings but also considers real-life situations, social behaviour, and changing circumstances.
This is why, although the Qur’an and Sunnah hold the primary position in Islamic law, custom and practice are also accepted as supporting and explanatory sources.
However, it is important to understand that a custom is only accepted in Islam when it does not go against the clear teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah, is not based on anything unlawful, and is commonly practised in society. If a custom conflicts with Islamic principles, it cannot be accepted; instead, it must be corrected or rejected. This shows that Islam does not give unlimited freedom to customs but keeps them within proper religious limits.
An important feature of Islamic jurisprudence is that rulings based on custom can change with time. This is because human needs, social values, and circumstances do not remain the same. If such changes are ignored, the main objectives of Islamic law—ease, justice, and removal of hardship—may be affected. Therefore, scholars have explained that changes in rulings due to changing times are sometimes not only allowed but necessary.
The concept of custom in Islam reflects the flexibility, balance, and wisdom of Islamic law. It ensures that Islamic teachings remain relevant and beneficial for every time, place, and society.
Generally, Islamic jurists have used the terms custom (‘urf) and habit (‘adah) with similar meanings. For a detailed understanding, one may refer to the book Al-Wajeez fi Idah Qawa‘id al-Fiqh al-Kulliyyah by Sadiqi bin Ahmad.
Evidence for the Validity of Custom
The Qur’an also provides evidence for considering custom. Allah says:
لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ اللّـٰهُ بِاللَّغْوِ فِىٓ اَيْمَانِكُمْ وَلٰكِنْ يُّؤَاخِذُكُمْ بِمَا عَقَّدْتُّـمُ الْاَيْمَانَ ۖ فَكَـفَّارَتُهٝٓ اِطْعَامُ عَشَـرَةِ مَسَاكِيْنَ مِنْ اَوْسَطِ مَا تُطْعِمُوْنَ اَهْلِيْكُمْ اَوْ كِسْوَتُـهُـمْ اَوْ تَحْرِيْرُ رَقَـبَةٍ ۖ فَمَنْ لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَاثَةِ اَيَّامٍ ۚ ذٰلِكَ كَفَّارَةُ اَيْمَانِكُمْ اِذَا حَلَفْتُـمْ ۚ وَاحْفَظُوٓا اَيْمَانَكُمْ ۚ كَذٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللّـٰهُ لَكُمْ اٰيَاتِهٖ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُـرُوْنَ (المائدہ: 89)
“Allah will not call you to account for unintentional oaths, but He will hold you accountable for deliberate oaths. The expiation is to feed ten poor people with the average food you give to your own families, or to clothe them, or to free a slave. But whoever cannot afford this must fast for three days…”
This verse shows that when feeding the poor as expiation, the type of food is based on what is commonly given in one’s household. This clearly indicates that custom is recognised in Islamic law.
A Hadith also supports this idea. Hazrat Aisha (RA) reported that Hind (RA) said to the Prophet (peace be upon him) that her husband Abu Sufyan was stingy and she needed to take money from him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied:
“Take what is sufficient for you and your children, according to what is customary.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
This Hadith clearly shows that decisions can be based on common practice.
Principles of Jurists Regarding Custom
Islamic scholars have further explained the importance of custom through well-known legal maxims:
1- العادة محکمة
Custom is authoritative.
2- الثابت بالعرف کالثابت بالنص
What is established by custom is like what is established by text.
3- اتعین بالعرف کا لتعین با لنص
What is determined by custom is like what is determined by clear evidence.
4- ومن لم یدر بعرف اہل زمانہ جاھل
Whoever is unaware of the customs of his time is ignorant
These principles show that Islam recognises social practices. Every society has its own traditions, and Islamic law does not reject them without reason; rather, it reforms them when necessary.
Social Benefits of Considering Custom
Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani has also explained this concept in his book Jadeed Fiqhi Masa’il. He writes that many rulings change with time because customs change, new needs arise, and moral challenges appear. If old rulings are applied without considering these changes, they may cause hardship and harm, which goes against the basic principles of Islamic law—such as ease and removal of difficulty.
He further explains that rulings based on custom must change when customs change. Keeping them unchanged would go against scholarly consensus and show a lack of understanding of religion. This is not new independent reasoning, but rather following an established principle agreed upon by scholars.
Islamic law is not a rigid system; rather, it is flexible and wise. It takes into account social changes and customs while remaining within the limits of religion. Custom holds an important place in Islamic law, but only when it does not conflict with its core principles.
The Qur’anic verse (Al-Ma’idah: 89) shows that some rulings depend on common practice. Similarly, legal maxims such as “custom is authoritative” provide a strong foundation for this principle.
At the same time, Islam does not allow complete freedom in the name of custom. It sets clear conditions so that no practice harms the true spirit of Islam. It should also be understood that custom is not an independent source of law, but a supporting one. Therefore, it cannot override the Qur’an, Sunnah, consensus, or analogy.
Islamic law shows balance, flexibility, and practical wisdom, making it suitable for every age and society.
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Dr. Zafar Darik Qasmi is an Islamic Scholar, author and Regular Columnist for New Age Islam.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-sharia-laws/consideration-custom-practice-in-islam/d/139601
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