What does Amir mean by the phrase 'Afghans cherish custom but abhor rules'?

• A. Afghans live for tradition and custom, placing family and religious tradition before civil laws.
• B. Afghans hate all rules.
• C. Afghans ignore tradition entirely.
• D. Afghans respect rules more than tradition.

Answer: (A)

Amir’s line points to a culture that treats unwritten expectations and shared values—the customs that govern family honor, hospitality, religious observance, and community norms—as more influential than formal, written laws. Saying Afghans cherish custom means people follow these traditional practices and prioritize personal and familial obligations over the rigid, impersonal rules imposed by civil authority. When he contrasts this with abhorning rules, he’s not saying all rules are hated, but that official regulations can feel secondary or even intrusive when they clash with deeply held social norms.

So the best interpretation is that Afghans live for tradition and custom, placing family and religious tradition before civil laws. The other options misread the sentiment by suggesting a blanket hatred of all rules, a complete disregard for tradition, or a preference for rules over tradition.