Islamset - Economic Role for Spain

Culture Contacts Between the Islamic East and the European West

Economic Role for Spain

Spain enjoyed a great reputation in the industrial, commercial and agricultural fields. Industry prospered in various cities and was associated with the emergence of trades and vocations with an elected sheikh or chairman for each trade known as (Al Amin) i.e. secretary or monitor. He used to defend and safeguard his guild's interests before the Al Muhtaseb reporting costs and prices of commodities. He also acted as a technical expert in conflicts arising between his colleagues and their customers. The word Amin entered the Spanish language as El-Alamin. As a system it was used in the Maghreb though it has been replaced recently by trade unions.

The Islamic industrial guilds resembled the trade unions known in Europe as guilds or corporations though they differed in that they did not take part in managing public interests in the city; their role was as arbitrators in professional trade disputes; nor did they secure municipal privileges or adopt a religious patron as in the Christian world. Islamic guilds did not have a division between employers and labourers. However the differences between Islamic and European guilds are still subject of argument among historians.

Those craftsmen and manufacturers affiliated to the common class in the Islamic city played a significant role in its public life, in its popular revolutions, religious groups, and its celebrations.

Muslim workers enjoyed extensive freedom in their work, except for specialised activities such as bath houses, weapon making, the mint and medicine which required special permits for reasons of state security or the public interest.

State revenue came from normal taxes and fines to fund the Beit al Mal (the Finance House). The taxes comprised Kharaj (land tax), Zakat (tribute) inheritance of the deed without heirs and A'ashar (tithes levied from foreigners who brought their goods into Andalusian ports). This term entered the Spanish language as 'alixases'. Al Ta'tib was another tax imposed during the Almoravid rule to maintain castles and walls around cities and was paid by people living in them. Fines were additional taxes imposed to meet special needs, some being given as commitment or 'gabala' which is 'alcabala' in Spanish.

These revenues were used for the state's various expenditures on the army, the police, the caliph's palace, civil servants, public installations such as mosques, hospitals and prisons, provision of drinking water, cleaning drains etc.

Government services were not all embracing; thus major cities were forced to raise additional funds to meet their other needs. One means constituted another financial source that played an important role in their economy. This system was called' Alwaqf' which means the relinquishing of one's properties or estate or revenues thereof to be used on a permanent basis for religious, scientific or health institutions and other public utilities similar to the municipal services of today.

Industry in Spain expanded over time, supported by urbanization and the abundance of mineral and other raw materials. However, it was manual, based on skills employed in small scale units.

The industries of Andalusia were numerous and diverse; and we shall list only the most important ones: