The Status of ʿUkāẓ Market and its Function in the Arab Social Life in Pre-Islamic Era

Document Type : Research Article

Author

• Alī Ghufrānī

ferdowsi

10.22067/jfiqh.2020.61076.0

Abstract

In pre-Islamic Arabian Peninsula, which is referred to as Jāhilliya era, commercial activity was the most important component of Arab life. A great part of the Arabs' trade was carried out with neighboring lands, which was considered as foreign. However, in the month of Shawwal and the holy months toward the end of the lunar year when the Ḥajj period would draw near, i.e., the months of Dhu'l Qa'da and Dhu'l Hijja, Arabs would gather in certain regions of Hijāz and by taking advantage of the occasion and setting up various seasonal markets, engaged in bartering their merchandise. Among such gatherings, ʿUkāẓ Mrket enjoyed a special significance, as besides commercial transactions, other cultural, social and literary activities were also taking place and some problems and difficulties of the Arabs were dealt with and resolved there, which had remarkable impact on the social life of the pre-Islamic Arabs. On the other hand, this market displayed a thorough image of the social life of the Arabs before the advent of Islam. In the Islamic period, ʿUkāẓ Mrket was in operation until 129/746.

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