Individuals’ adherence to religious norms is determined by many internal and external factors: personality traits, upbringing, ethnicity, circumstances, the influence of the group, society, and the state. Although there has been a decrease in the importance of religious prescriptions in modern society, the social environment continues to have a significant impact even when moving to another country with a different socio-cultural background. The results of the study of representatives of ethnic groups from Central Asia who moved to the Republic of Tatarstan for the purpose of education and work show that the transition from traditional understanding of marriage and family and property relations (procedures for concluding and dissolving marriages, rights and obligations of spouses, inheritance) to modernized perception occurred at different rates: most quickly among Kazakhs and Kirghiz, slower among Uzbeks, and especially Tajiks, who still often resort to Islamic norms as a social regulator. This is due to both the peculiarities of their ethnic culture and uneven socio-economic development in the countries of origin, including urbanization. Turning to religious prescriptions is often instrumental in nature, when an individual forms his own “hybrid” system to construct a space of interaction that is convenient for him. At the same time, the choice in favor of religious norms or rejection of them in certain situations can be determined by potential gains: material gain, maintaining or increasing status, maximizing rights while minimizing responsibilities.

Key words: Islam, Sharia, religious norms, traditions, migration, Tatarstan, Central Asia

DOI: 10.22250/20728662-2026-1-166-177

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About the authors

Ilshat A. Mukhametzaripov – Ph.D. (History), Leading Researcher at The Center for Islamic Studies of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences, Senior Researcher at the Scientific and Expertise Laboratory of Socio-Humanitarian Expertise of the Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University; 36a Levo-Bulatchnaya St., Kazan, 420111, Russia; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ilmira R. Gafiyatullina – Researcher at The Center for Islamic Studies of Tatarstan Academy of Sciences; 36a Levo-Bulatchnaya St., Kazan, 420111; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.