Market Ethics in the Prophetic Sunnah and Their Impact on the Stability of Commercial Activity: A Foundational Study in Light of Islamic Texts

Abstract

This research aims to establish the ethical foundations of the marketplace in light of the Prophetic Sunnah and to analyze their role in regulating commercial activity to achieve economic stability. The study adopts a tripartite methodology: the inductive method for collecting relevant Prophetic traditions on market behavior; the doctrinal method to link these traditions to the overarching objectives of Islamic law (Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah); and the analytical method to examine the economic and social impacts of applying these ethical principles. The findings reveal that the Islamic marketplace operates as a comprehensive ethical and legislative system based on honesty، trustworthiness، and the prohibition of fraud، monopolization، and deceit. These principles foster trust among market participants and enhance transparency and stability. The study also demonstrates the feasibility of applying Islamic market ethics in contemporary economic systems through regulatory mechanisms such as modern adaptations of the ḥisbah (market supervision)، ethical codes for commercial institutions، and the integration of moral values into economic policymaking. The study recommends incorporating Islamic ethical models into modern market reforms، promoting ethical economic education، and developing indicators to assess the moral performance of markets alongside traditional financial metrics.