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Maʿalim al-Qurba fi Ahkam al-Hisba (Duties of the Market Inspector)

By Ibn al-Ukhuwwa

معالم القربة في أحكام الحسبة

A treatise on hisba by Ibn al-Ukhuwwa, written to help the market inspector in his duties: supervising markets, weights and measures, protecting public morals, and fighting fraud and forbidden contracts. The editors describe the standing of the science of hisba in early Islam and the qualities required of its holder 1 2.

Depth

At a glance

Era
The Crusades, Ayyubids and Mamluks
Review
Draft Completeness 1/5 · Help complete it

Development of law, theology and institutions

Summary

"Maʿalim al-Qurba fi Ahkam al-Hisba" (Landmarks of Piety on the Rulings of Market Oversight) by Ibn al-Ukhuwwa, written to help the muhtasib (market inspector) in his work. It covers oversight of markets, weights and measures, protecting public morals, and combating fraud and forbidden contracts 2.

The standing of hisba

The editors' introduction traces the history of hisba. It states that the Prophet ﷺ performed the role of muhtasib in early Islam, and that the rightly guided caliphs took it up themselves before appointing others to carry it out as the conquests spread 3 1.

Conditions for the muhtasib

The introduction describes the conditions for whoever takes up hisba: knowledge of the law on what he commands and forbids, fairness, good character and gentleness, steady adherence to the Sunna, and permission from the ruler 1.

Note on the edition

The edition used here has not yet been verified, because two editions are mentioned in the pages read 4 5.

Connections

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Authored by
Ibn al-Ukhuwwa

People and things also explored

Ibn al-Ukhuwwa· Biting and the liability for injury it causes (add)· Justice and uprightness (adl)· Contagion (adwa)· Pardon (afw) in purity, worship, contracts and penalties· Covenant (ahd) and the duty to keep it; oath by the covenant of God· Term, deadline (ajal)· Hired worker (ajir)

Sources

  1. Maʿalim al-Qurba fi Ahkam al-Hisba, ed. Muhammad Mahmud Shaaban and Siddiq Ahmad Isa al-Mutiʿi (1976) , p.6
  2. Maʿalim al-Qurba fi Ahkam al-Hisba, ed. Muhammad Mahmud Shaaban and Siddiq Ahmad Isa al-Mutiʿi (1976) , p.9
  3. Maʿalim al-Qurba fi Ahkam al-Hisba, ed. Muhammad Mahmud Shaaban and Siddiq Ahmad Isa al-Mutiʿi (1976) , p.5
  4. Maʿalim al-Qurba fi Ahkam al-Hisba, ed. Muhammad Mahmud Shaaban and Siddiq Ahmad Isa al-Mutiʿi (1976) , p.2
  5. Maʿalim al-Qurba fi Ahkam al-Hisba, ed. Muhammad Mahmud Shaaban and Siddiq Ahmad Isa al-Mutiʿi (1976) , p.4
Cite this page

islam.museum contributors. “Maʿalim al-Qurba fi Ahkam al-Hisba (Duties of the Market Inspector)”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/work/maalim-al-qurba-fi-ahkam-al-hisba/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Last updated 2026-10-18.

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Ibn al-Ukhuwwa

Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Qurashi, known as Ibn al-Ukhuwwa, author of Maʿalim al-Qurba fi Ahkam al-Hisba. The editors give his death as 729 AH.