Muhtasib's Role: Safeguarding the Public Interest During the Islamic Middle Ages

Abstract

The paper traces the institutional history of Hisba, one of whose functions was to regulate commercial activity and guard public interest from 7th to the 17th centuries in Islamic countries. This is followed by a description of the functions performed by the Muhtasib - the title of the person who carried out the functions associated with Hisba. It is noteworthy that most Muslim jurists have argued against the appointment of women to serve as Muhtasib, but this exclusion seems to be in contrast to the practice of the Prophet Muhammad himself. The paper shows that search for accountability and the need for guarding the public interest from fraud and exploitation has a long history.

JEL Classification: M40, Z10