Evolution of trade

Who traded what, with whom, and on whose terms: from obsidian and incense to caravans, monsoon fleets, chartered companies, the container ship and today’s fight over supply chains.

The Prophet (pbuh) was himself a merchant, and Quraysh lived by the winter and summer caravans (Quraysh 106:1–2). Islamic trade law forbids fraud, hoarding (ihtikar) and riba, and the Madinah market charged no rent.