Al-Waadih Fee Usool ul-Fiqh by Muhammad Hussein Abdullah

The ‘Urf can be Saheeh and it can be Faasid, and the ‘Urf that the ‘Ulamaa used as a Hujjah (legal proof) was the ‘Urf As-Saheeh.

The ‘Urf As-Saheeh is the ‘Urf that does not oppose a text from the Shar’iyah texts and does not cause a considered Maslahah (interest) to be lost nor is it most likely to bring a Mafsadah (harmful or corrupt matter). This is like the people being accustomed to the one proposing offering items of clothing or something similar to the one he is proposing to, as a gift whilst having no impact in relation to the Mahr (dowry).

Some of the ‘Ulamaa considered the ‘Urf to represent an Asl from the Usool of Istinbaat upon which the Ahkaam Ash-Shar’iyah are built and as a Daleel from amongst the Adillah Al-Ijmaaliyah (Sources of evidence) like Qiyaas and Ijmaa’. From amongst their statements in respect to the ‘Urf is the saying: “Al-‘Aadah Muhkimah” (The custom resolves or overrides the matter) and the saying: “Al-Ma’roof ‘Urfan Ka-l-Mashroot Shartan” (The known by custom is like the stipulated matter by condition).

From amongst the Adillah (evidences) supporting the Hujjiyah (proof validity) of Al-‘Urf are the following:

1 – From the Qur’aan His Qawl Ta’Aalaa:

2 – From the Sunnah is the Hadeeth attributed to the Messenger of Allah (saw):

This is in addition to the Messenger of Allah’s (saw) approval of some of the A’araaf (customs) that were well known to exist amongst the Arabs before his being sent as a Prophet. This is like Al-Mudaarabah in the case where it has been cited that Al-‘Abbaas Ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib, when paying money in Al-Mudaarabah (contract of partnership), used to stipulate upon the worker that he would not cross by sea, descend a valley and to not buy anything. Then if he was to do that he would be assured. This reached the Messenger of Allah (saw) and he viewed it well (i.e. he (saw) approved of it). [Tabayyun Al-Haqaa’iq Vol 5 52-53].

It is also like As-Salam (forward selling) as it was related from Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) that he said: “The Nabi (saw) came to Al-Madinah whilst they were practising forward selling in respect to the fruits for a year and two years. So he (saw) said:

3 – The ‘Urf, in the opinion of those who upheld it, returns to a considered (Mu’tabar) Daleel Shar’iy like the Ijmaa’ and the Masaalih Al-Mursalah. Included within the ‘Urf that returns back to the Ijmaa’ is the Istisnaa’ (asking someone to manufacture something on their behalf) and entering the baths. The practise of an ‘Urf took place in respect to both of these without any rebuke and so it has occurred by way of Ijmaa’ whilst Al-Ijmaa’ is considered (Mu’tabar). 4 – The Fuqahaa’s usage of the ‘Urf throughout different eras and times and their consideration of it within their Ijtihaadaat represents a Daleel for the correctness of its consideration. That is because their utilisation of it is equal to the level of the Ijmaa’ As-Sukootiy and as such their consideration of it as a Daleel is established (or proven) by Al-Ijmaa’.