The Jopuk Malam / Manta Laku tradition in Nagari Sarilamak is an ancestral custom involving the practice of taking a newborn to the paternal family’s home (bako) to establish lineage (nasab) and introduce the child to paternal relatives. This study aims to examine the implementation of this tradition and analyze its legal status from the perspective of Islamic law, particularly the concept of ‘urf. This study employs empirical legal research with a qualitative approach. Primary data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation, while secondary data were obtained from books, articles, and academic journals. The data were analyzed descriptively to identify the practices and assess their legal implications. The findings indicate that the tradition consists of three stages: the bako collecting the child, the child staying at the bako’s home accompanied by a thanksgiving gathering, and the child returning home with a hen and a young coconut (cikal). In terms of Islamic legal classification, the tradition falls under al-‘urf al-khas (specific custom) because it is practiced within a particular community. However, elements involving ancestral beliefs that contradict Islamic teachings may render those aspects ‘urf fasid (invalid custom). This study contributes to the development of Islamic family law scholarship by demonstrating the importance of distinguishing culturally accepted practices from customary elements that conflict with Sharia principles.
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