English abstract
The study investigated the commercial activity in Oman during the sixth century of Hegira/ twelfth
century AD through the book "Al Dheyaa" by Al Otabi. The study focused on monitoring and tracking
the key aspects and various commercial forms in Oman, mainly those related to commercial markets
and transactions in view of the fatwas and juristic issues contained in the Book "Al Dheyaa".
The study aimed at identification of the key commercial centers and means of transport during
the period, and exploration of the types of sales and key commercial transactions that prevailed at the
era, such as loans, mortgage, guarantee and remittance. The researcher adopted the historical,
descriptive and analytical methodology by induction of parts of the book "Al Dheyaa" related to
commercial activity, and analysis of the texts of juristic issues and their application.
Importance of the study stems from questioning the juristic sources to bridge the gaps that
weren't addressed by the conventional historical sources. Choice of the book "Al Dheyaa" by
Al Otabi is based on the fact that it is one of the key juristic works in the period of the study. It
represents prosperity of the elements of authoring the juristic encyclopedia. Through its
fatwas, it was possible to identify the aspects of economic life and commercial activity the
subject of the study.
The study consists of an introduction, four chapters and conclusion. Chapter one handles the
life and era of Al Otabi, and discusses the importance of the Book "Al Dheyaa" and content of
its parts as well as its historical and cultural importance. Chapter two investigated markets in
terms of their management, regulation, types and factors that affected market movement and
identification of the scales and money that was used at the time. Chapter three was dedicated
to examination of trade centers and means of land and sea transport. Chapter four addressed
the types and key commercial transactions, such as guarantee, companies, remittance, tithe
system and taxes.
The study drew set of conclusions, mainly: that the activity of commercial movement in Oman
contributed to support the commercial relations with the neighboring countries and their
regional and international periphery. The study indicated multiplicity of the methods of sale
and purchase in Oman during the period of study, including sale in cash, bartering and credit.
The study confirmed that markets, in addition to being place for sale and purchase,
represented space and field of social and cultural interaction.
