Q. & A. 711 to 1707 with solved Papers css 1971 to date

Sahib al-Medina
Sahib al-Medina,(the prefect of the city), known in the East as Sahib al-shurtah (chief of police), seems to have been the principal official for administering the city. He had almost unlimited authority, even to the point of sentencing anyone he pleased. He was in charge of detecting and punishing crimes against public morality. At times of appointment to this office had to be sanctioned by a Qazi. The prefect of the city had a number of assistant, each of whom had subordinates. For instance, night, guards were assigned to each gate of the city to ensure that suspicious characters were questioned or arrested.
Sahib al-Suq
The Sahib al-Suq,(market inspector) also known as Muhtasib fell under the jurisdiction of the city prefect or the Qazi, but acted independently of both. Ibn Abdun said that inspection (ihtisab) is the twin of adjudication, and that the inspector is ”the tongue of the judge, his chamberlain, his wazir, and his successor, ”Ibn Abdul considered ihtisab the most important branch of government, requiring much legal knowledge. The inspector was concerned with all sorts of things: making sure that weights and measures were in order; correcting irregularities, regulating sales and purchases with respect to the quality of goods and their prices; ascertaining that all foods, beverages, and clothing were clean and up to standard, that mosques, roads, rivers, and other places were kept in good order so as’ not in endanger public safety or offend public morality. Along with these broad functions, the Muhtasib had the full power to impose a sentence at the scene of the offense. If a violation was
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committed, he would serve a warning or impose a fine. After repeated violations he would flog or banish the culprit. Sahib al-Mazalim
The Sahib al-Mazalim (the judge of appeal) was empowered to correct abuses of power by those in authority. This function was often performed by the ruler himself or by his delegate.
Sahib al-Asghal
The collector of taxes (sahib al-ashghal) was one of the most important and feared officials. He was considered ”more powerful and influential than a wazir.... all necks bowed before him, all hands were stretched out to him, and he kept the provinces in awe by means of his overseers and informers.
Sahib al-Awqaf
The Sahib al-Awqaf (the Director of Religious Foundations) managed estates endowed for religious purposes. The commander of the army had responsibility for the defense of the country. The governors of the provinces had executive power in their territories but were ultimately accountable to the central government. In addition to this array of officials, the ruler was surrounded by a large number of religious scholars who exerted great influence on both the religious and secular life of Andalus. At his court could also be found a galaxy of poets, litteraeurs, boon-companions, and entertainers of all sorts. The people ordinarily met in majaiis to discuss literary questions or to entertain, depending on the proclivity of the ruler. *