The “Hisbah” System as a Mechanism of Social Control Enforcing Moral and Religious Standards and Stabilizing Central Administration in Medieval Society

The article examines the origins, functions, and societal effects of the Hisbah system in Islamic governance, highlighting its role in fostering virtue and curbing vice as prescribed by the Holy Quran. Founded on the Islamic imperative for accountability and ethical governance, Hisbah was established as a state organization to supervise the enforcement of moral and socio-economic mandates within society. The Muhtasib, the principal official, played a crucial role in enforcing market norms, upholding ethical standards, and eradicating corrupt activities. The study aims to elucidate the historical and practical importance of the Hisbah system within contemporary administrative frameworks. The study’s problem: Despite its significant historical importance, the contributions of the Hisbah system to socio-economic and moral control are insufficiently examined in current scholarship, resulting in an unsatisfactory assessment of its significance in contemporary society. The study’s objectives are to delineate the institutional history of Hisbah, scrutinize its fundamental functions, and assess its impact on upholding the public interest and societal cohesion within the Islamic government. The study utilized a qualitative methodology, incorporating a historical examination of Islamic administrative texts, socio-economic records, and classical jurisprudential sources to examine the development and influence of the Hisbah system. The study’s findings indicate that Hisbah significantly contributed to market oversight, the prevention of monopolies, and the protection of societal ethics. Its functions encompassed the standardization of products, the eradication of fraud, and the preservation of public welfare, highlighting its significance as a fundamental aspect of Islamic government. The study indicates that the Hisbah institution substantially enhanced socio-economic stability and ethical governance, demonstrating its viability as a model for modern administrative methods. The study’s implications reveal that comprehending the principles and processes of the Hisbah system provides significant insights into contemporary governance frameworks, especially in promoting ethical administration, market integrity, and societal welfare. This study illuminates Hisbah’s persistent significance as an institution that embodies the convergence of ethics and administration in Islamic government.

Hisbah System, Muhtasib, Muslim Governance, Market Regulation

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