Hisbah and Its Role in Safeguarding Markets and Protecting Them against Adulteration during the Zayyanid Period (7th–9th AH / 13th–15th Centuries CE)

Abstract

Islamic law attached considerable importance to establishing a peaceful and secure environment for people throughout the territories under the rule of Islamic states, whether in the eastern or western regions of the Islamic world. This was intended to facilitate economic transactions in accordance with the principle of “no harm and no reciprocating harm” between seller and buyer. Therefore, Islam instituted the Hisbah system as one of its administrative and supervisory institutions, subject to Islamic legal and ethical regulations, to eliminate all forms of corruption. Against this background, the present study focuses on the Central Maghreb during the Zayyanid period to examine the institution of Hisbah and its role in safeguarding markets and protecting them from fraud and adulteration. The subject is worthy of careful scholarly study and investigation.