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Objectives: This study aimed to identify the nature of social norms, and determine the criteria of

their consideration from a social and legal perspective. The study also aimed to explore the impact

of those norms on the formulation and modification of Islamic legal rulings.

Methods: The study relied on an inductive approach via tracing the concept of social norms and

customs, and their significance according to scholars of Islamic law and sociology. It also examined

a number of Islamic legal fatwa based on social norms in traditional Islamic jurisprudential texts.

Additionally, the study used an analytical approach via analyzing the views of Islamic law and

sociology scholars regarding the concept of norms and its characteristics in an endeavor to establish

criteria for their consideration, and projecting those criteria to a number of contemporary legal

issues.

Results :The study results showed that the valid norm, as recognized by scholars of Islamic law and

sociology, is based on several essential criteria. These criteria dictate that the norm should be a

voluntary human action, beneficial to individuals, and characterized by general acceptance,

prevalence, consistency, and widespread occurrence.

Conclusion: The study recommends the necessity of muftis’ taking into account the prevailing

social norms when issuing Islamic legal edicts or rulings. It also advocates for increased

collaboration between Islamic law scholars and sociologists to study social phenomena and their

impact on Islamic legal ruling.