Dallāl and Jullās: A Survey on Role of Middlemen in Middle Age Economic on the Basis of Andalusian Sources

The work of middleman (Dallāl) was legal in Islamic middle age but under supervision of the market inspector (Muḥtasib). Even a wholesaler or a retailer was obligated to earn just regular interest, and raising the prices which leads to economic instability was disallowed. There was a group, among the middlemen, called “Jullās”, who disrupts economic stability in Bazar. This study examines the role of so-called Dallāl and Jullās in Morocco and Andalusia in the Middle Ages. The findings show that Jullās, in order to earn more profit, used illegitimate methods in violation of the established laws; even they didn’t respect the social norms. It was the duty of master of the market (sāḥib al-sūq) to oppose this group and hoarders, to control economic activities in Bazar properly.