Were customs dues levied at the time of the Prophet Muḥammad?

Were customs dues levied at the time of the Prophet Muḥammad?

By Michael Lecker

Al-Qanṭara, Vol 22, No 1 (2001)

Abstract: The levying of customs was common in pre-Islamic Arabia. They were usually levied in the annual fairs and in Mecca, where Muḥammad’s ancestor, Qusayy, reportedly levied them from the non-Meccans entering Mecca. Muḥammad continued this age-old practice, hence the phrase lā yu ‘sharūna wa-lā yuḥsharūna in his letters to certain parties. It exempted these parties from the payment of customs, while all the others had to pay up.

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