al-Muhtasib

The al-Muhtasib was an official in medieval Islamic societies responsible for maintaining public morality and marketplace order. Their duties included ensuring fair trade, preventing fraud, enforcing cleanliness, and upholding social ethical standards. They monitored merchants, regulated weights and measures, and made sure shops and public spaces adhered to Islamic laws. Essentially, the al-Muhtasib served as a moral and economic regulator, helping sustain trust and justice within the community to promote societal harmony.