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.