Although northern Nigeria is known for its extensive enforcement of Islamic law, the
region has been heavily influenced by local custom and traditions. The dominant and
now official school {madhhab) is the Maliki school which, arguably more than any
other madhhab, recognizes 'urf or custom as a source of Islamic law. This essay looks
at local customs as they affect Islamic family law, specifically marriage, divorce, child
custody, and inheritance, and the judicial responses to these customs in contemporary
courts in northern Nigeria