---
title: "What is Urf (custom)? | IslamicOpenFinance™"
description: "Established custom or business practice, which Shariah recognises when it does not contradict the texts or principles."
url: https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/urf/
lang: en-GB
source: "IslamicOpenFinance"
---

[Glossary](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/) / [Shariah fundamentals](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/#fundamentals)

Shariah fundamentals

# Urf (custom)

Established custom or business practice, which Shariah recognises when it does not contradict the texts or principles.

Urf is custom: what people commonly say, do or refrain from in their dealings. AAOIFI's standard on possession explains that custom recognised by Shariah must not contradict a text or a principle of Shariah, and the standard relies on custom to decide what counts as taking possession of different kinds of goods. Bank Negara Malaysia's compilation of Shariah resolutions defines urf as common practice that the community accepts and that does not contradict Shariah rulings. Custom therefore matters for questions such as when delivery is complete or what fee is customary.

## Sources

- [AAOIFI Shari'ah Standards, English edition (full text, PDF): Shari'ah Standard No. 18, Possession (Qabd), Appendix C, custom](https://aaoifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Shariaa-Standards-ENG.pdf)

This entry explains a term; it is not a Shariah ruling. Approving a product is for each institution's own Shariah board and regulator.

## Related terms

[**Qabd (possession)** Taking possession of an asset, actually or constructively, which many contracts require before the asset can be sold on.](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/qabd/) [**Qabd hukmi (constructive possession)** Possession recognised in law without physical delivery, for example through documents, registration or an account entry.](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/qabd-hukmi/) [**Shariah** Islamic law and its principles; in finance, the rules that contracts, products and institutions are expected to comply with.](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/shariah/) [**Fiqh al-muamalat** The branch of Islamic jurisprudence that governs commercial and financial dealings between people.](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/fiqh-al-muamalat/)

**Shariah fundamentals**

1. [Riba](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/riba/)
2. [Gharar](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/gharar/)
3. [Maysir](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/maysir/)
4. [Shariah](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/shariah/)
5. [Fiqh al-muamalat](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/fiqh-al-muamalat/)
6. [Maqasid al-Shariah](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/maqasid-al-shariah/)
7. [Riba al-nasiah](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/riba-al-nasiah/)
8. [Riba al-fadl](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/riba-al-fadl/)

[All 221 terms](https://islamicopenfinance.com/glossary/)