Qawaid al Fiqhiyyah - Legal Maxim No 5

Custom (adat, uruf) is the basis of judgement

The basis for this maxim is derived from the verse: “And those who follow a way other than the path of the believers."(QS 4:115)

Scholars explains that what is meant by the 'path of the believers" in the verse is the path that the believers approved, and Allah warned those who follow a different path with punishment of Hell Fire.

Custom is a matter on which a community of people agree in the course of their daily life, and common usage is an action which is repeatedly performed by individuals and communities. When a community makes a habit of doing something, it becomes its common usage.

This indicates that it is obligatory to follow the customs of the believers if the Quran and Sunnah does not have a clear indication on a particular matter. In short, the custom of the believers is the basis for judgement in the sacred law.

Custom is continuously applied in fiqh. Custom is a matter on which a community of people agree in the course of their daily life, an uninterrupted action which is repeatedly performed by individuals and communities.

A practical example of this is when a certain type of currency has become the standard currency in transactions, the default is that one must transact with the currency customarily used. The default for limits, measurements, and definitions is custom whenever the Lawgiver mentions such things without stipulating.

Customs fall into two categories: first, established customs which do not differ in times or places. They are customs derived from the natural human form, and that to which human nature calls, like eating, drinking, sleep and other things. The second category are customs which vary with different people and different lands. Ash-Shatibi mentioned that section and illustrated it, saying:

"Customs can change in it from good to ugly and the reverse, like uncovering the head. That varies in different regions. In eastern lands it is considered offensive tor those of manliness it is ugly but not in western lands. So the legal judgment varies according to that. Thus it detracts from good character in the view of the people of the east but not with the people of the west." (al-Muwafaqat, pt. 2, p. 198)

Syariat Islam tidak pernah mengetepikan adat atau ‘urf yang baik yang mendatangkan kebaikan pula kepada masyarakat(maslahah). Adat atau urf yang telah diamalkan secara menyeluruh menjadi suatu ijma, contohnya seperti amalan penduduk Medina yang tidak berlawanan dengan nas dan dalil syarak.

Contohnya, jual beli melalui tempahan seperti menempah pakaian, makanan dan sebagainya dengan didahulukan bayaran manakala barang akan diserahkan kemudian(spt jual/beli online). Ia adalah satu-satunya bidang mu’amalat yang diasaskan oleh amal ahli Madinah (uruf) berbanding jual beli, hutang, sewaan, qard al-hasan(pinjaman) dan lain-lain yang diasaskan berdasarkan nas dan dalil dari al-Quran(QS 2:282, 28:28 dll) ataupun al-Hadith...contohnya sabda Rasulullah SAW dalam sebuah hadith:

"Sebaik-baik kalian adalah yang paling baik dalam membayar hutangnya.” (Hadis riwayat Imam Muslim. Rujuk Sahih Muslim Jil. III, Sunan al Tirmidhi Jil. II, Misykat al Masabih Jil, III)

Maka, dengan ini tamatlah pengajian kita dalam bab Qawaid al Fiqhiyyah. Untuk rujukkan dan ulangkaji, sila ke:

1) Introduction: Usul Fiqh dan Maqasid Syariah
- http://ilmuislamuallaf.blogspot.com/…/introduction-usul-fiq…

2) Usul Fiqh - Qawaid al Fiqhiyyah
- http://ilmuislamuallaf.blogspot.com/…/usul-fiqh-qawaid-al-f…

3) Qawaid al Fiqhiyyah - Legal Maxim No 1 - Acts are Judged by the Intention Behind Them
- http://ilmuislamuallaf.blogspot.com/…/qawaid-al-fiqhiyyah-l…

4) Qawaid al Fiqhiyyah - Legal Maxim No 2 - Certainty is not overruled by doubt
- http://ilmuislamuallaf.blogspot.com/…/qawaid-al-fiqhiyyah-l…

5) Qawaid al Fiqhiyyah - Legal Maxim No 3 - Hardship begets facility
- http://ilmuislamuallaf.blogspot.com/…/qawaid-al-fiqhiyyah-l…

6) Qawa'id al Fiqhiyyah - Legal Maxim No 4 - Harm must be eliminated
- http://ilmuislamuallaf.blogspot.com/…/qawaid-al-fiqhiyyah-l…

7) Example of Application: Singing and Musical Instrument in Islam
- http://kurauking.blogspot.com/…/singing-and-musical-instrum…



Wallahu'alam