هل تراجعت الأمانة عند أهل الشام ؟

Throughout history, the merchants of the Levant have set the finest examples of honesty and integrity. Their markets—such as those of Damascus and Aleppo—were havens of trust. They were renowned for stories of safeguarding pilgrims' money. A visitor would leave his valuables and gold in the first shop in the market and depart for Hajj, only to return months later and find them perfectly safe. This trustworthiness was also evident in the custom of "opening the door," where a merchant would turn away a customer and direct him to his neighbor to sell to him as well. Their long-standing integrity was not merely a matter of commerce, but a deeply rooted moral commitment and a firmly established principle passed down through generations. The Caravan System and Deposits: Damascus was a major stop on the Silk Road and the Hajj route. Pilgrims and foreign merchants would deposit their money and valuable goods with Damascus merchants for months without official documents, relying solely on word and reputation, and would receive them back in full. Commercial and Sharia courts: Markets were subject to strict oversight by the "Muhtasib," the official responsible for preventing fraud, shortchanging in weights and measures, and price manipulation, thus creating a commercial environment based on justice, trust, and transparency. Solidarity and ethical norms: They were distinguished by unique customs such as "the opening sale." If a merchant began the day by selling goods and another customer came in, he would refer them to his neighbor who had not yet sold anything, ensuring everyone's livelihood and preventing monopolies and unfair competition. #Ahmed_Fakhoury #Damascus #Honesty