Moslem Merchants in Traditional Market
Ahmad Ajib Ridlwan, Moch. Khoirul Anwar and A’rasy Fahrullah
Program Studi Ekonomi Islam, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
Keywords: Sharia Values, Muslim Merchants, Traditional Market Introduction.
Abstract: Phenomena occurs in the community about moral degradation of trade, the study aims to determine how the
application of sharia values of Muslim merchants in the market Wonokromo Surabaya Indonesia in real
business practices. The results of this study will be used as the development of Islamic economics as a science
which begins with understanding the level of knowledge of the merchant market traders to compete fairly
according to Islamic principles and also Islamic consumer protection. The results of this study shows that
Sharia Values were not applied completely although the merchants actually understood it.
1 BACKGROUND
Islam teaches its followers to apply religiousity in
kaffah (perfect, totality, and thorough). As to God
words in the Al-Baqarah verse 208 which means: "O
ye who believe! Enter into Islam kaffah, and do not
follow the steps of Satan. Indeed, he is a clear
enemy”. These verses explain that Islam is already set
ways of thinking, behaving and acting a Muslim, as
well as in economic activity, social, political or other
activities in order to worship Allah (Ancok and
Suroso, 2001).
The perfection of Islam is not only related to
worship or connection between someone and his God
(hablu minallah) but also to the muamalah or the
connection between someone and the other person
(hablu minannaas). One of the muamalah domain is
the trade or business. Islam has set any business
person to run the moral values which include honesty,
fairness and openness. These values are indispensable
and be liable for any market participants and is a
reflection of the faith of a Muslim to Allah. Muslims
are always encouraged to become a merchant. In
Islam the business is not only beneficial for the
earthly worship but also as a field so that they become
successful entrepreneurs afterlife (Zulkifli et al.,
2015).
Implementation of sharia values in the life of a
trader on the market must be recognized personally
by individual traders, meaning that every trader
should only trade with the purpose of seeking profit
as much as possible, although in Islam trading is not
only about profit maximization but also seek for
blessing (barokah). Islam does not allow just anyone
to work at will to achieve his wish by any means such
as deception, fraud, perjury, usury, bribery and other
acts of vanity. But in Islam is given a boundary or
dividing line between what should and what should
not, right and wrong as well as the lawful and the
unlawful.
Some empirical evidence indicates there has been
a shift in ethics in business and trade in traditional
markets. For example, the rise of merchants reduce
the scales, sells ayam tiren (un slaved-dead chicken),
glonggong cow’s meat (before slaved forced to drink
large amount of water so the weight of it maximum
which often hurt the cow), food mixed with borax and
so on. While access to finance is still a problem that
made traders has to borrow money at illegal
moneylenders. This suggests a decline in social
responsibility and honesty as well as the unfair
competition and various other business problems.
Wirawan (2012) research results show that there
is a deviation values of sharia performed by vendors
as the market Wonokromo trade practices. Such as
high pricing that is too high from the initial price, as
well as fraud in setting the dose / scales as practiced
by fruit traders. Unlike the Wirawan, research Amalia
(2014) showed that Kampoeng Creative, Bazar
Medina and Small Business in the Environment
Universitas Islam Negeri Jakarta has implemented a
business ethics of Islam, both by employers and
employees. In running the business and activity,
businesses have to understand and implement the
principles or values of Islam based on the Quran and
Hadith. Implementation of Islamic business ethics
Ridlwan, A., Anwar, M. and Fahrullah, A.
Moslem Merchants in Traditional Market.
In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Islamic Economics, Business, and Philanthropy (ICIEBP 2017) - Transforming Islamic Economy and Societies, pages 627-630
ISBN: 978-989-758-315-5
Copyright © 2018 by SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved
627

includes four aspects: principles, management,
marketing / advertising and product / price.
Research conducted by Syaifullah (2014) suggest that
the buying and selling in Islam cannot be separated
from the ethics that must be held by all parties in order
to maintain maslahah (well-being) for all people,
which ultimately formed a market system that is safe,
peaceful and honest and will certainly avoid system
mayhem that would be detrimental to all parties.
Prasetyo research (2016) shows that the "X" Tour and
Travel has implemented Siddiq (honest), Istiqamah
(persistence), fathanah (smart), trustful, and Tabligh
(preaching) in marketing communications. In
connection with the market, one of the traditional
markets are interesting to study because it has an
intensity purchase every day are wonokromo market
consisting of many sellers and wider range of goods
as well as a very tight competition.
Thus, if it is associated with the Muslim traders to
trade practices, there is the possibility of market
traders Wonokromo offense in Islamic law for the
sake of more profit due to competition. Wonokromo
market and some markets in Surabaya had become a
target circulation of wild boar meat (which is
forbidden for moslem to consume pork) from the East
Java regional police raid on a warehouse in
Wonokromo (http://surabaya.wartakesehatan.com/).
2 METHODS
This research is a field research with descriptive
qualitative method. Descriptive research is research
to explore or photograph the social situation to be
studied thoroughly, broad depth (Sugiono, 2008).
Whereas qualitative research is the kind of research
that findings are not obtained through statistical
procedures or counting forms (Strauss and Corbin,
2009). This research was conducted in the traditional
market in Surabaya precisely wonokromo market and
carried out from May to September 2016. The data
source of this research are human and not human.
Determination of informants through sampling
techniques but not to represent the population but by
the relevance and depth of information and based on
the theme of research and field conditions.
Techniques are performed continuously from one
informant for another informant to the next so as to
obtain more complete data and depth and a sample
search is terminated if the data obtained is felt already
saturated. The data source is comprised of traders, the
source data is not human form of documents relevant
to the focus of research.
2.1 The Results Achieved
2.1.1 Designing the instrument of
observation and interviews
An instrument which is based on the theory Qardhawi
(1997) about business ethics in Islamic perspective.
Among others. a ban on trade in goods is forbidden,
be true, trustworthy and honest, Upholding justice
and forbids interest (riba) / avoid vanity, apply
compassion and forbids monopolies, upholding
tolerance and brotherhood, adhering to the principle
that trade is a provision to the afterlife, Interview this
research was carried out in semi-structured
interviews. Interview instrument is used only to guide
the course of observation and interviews.
3 DISCUSSION
3.1 Overview of Wonokromo
Pasar Wonokromo (Wonokromo market) located on
Jl. Jagir village Wonokromo station Wonokromo
South Surabaya East Java Province. Wonokromo is
the main traffic lanes in Surabaya because it is the
main gate lines in the South. So Wonokromo has a
huge potential. Good potential for economic and
trade, as well as social and cultural potential and
human resources. Wonokromo market is legendary
market established in the Dutch colonial era and was
renovated during the first president, Soekarno, an era
after Indonesian freedom from colonialism.
Wonokromo market is under the management of the
central government by one of the BUMD/badan
usaha milik daerah (Regional Government Owned
Enterprises) which is called PDPS/perusahaan
daerah pasar surya (Regional Company Surya
market).
Wonokromo market has been quite old age. It
experienced several fires and the most severe in 1992
and the last in 2002 after moving to the temporary
shelter and through a tough process Wonokromo
market could finally be built and completed and
occupied by the end of 2004. As it grows irregularly,
the market after burned down, rebuilt and renovated
with the idea of combining 52 64 traditional markets
combined with Trade center (shopping center) is now
familiarly known as Darmo Trade center.
Wonokromo market which now occupies the building
Darmo Trade Center (DTC) is one of the markets that
have undergone modernization.
Since inaugurated by the East Java Governor
Imam Utomo on June 11, 2005, the market
Wonokromo now become one of the icons of the city
ICIEBP 2017 - 1st International Conference on Islamic Economics, Business and Philanthropy
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gate in South Surabaya. A total of 3,890 booths
occupying market Wonokromo Lower Ground Floor
(LDB) and the Ground Floor Up (LDA) DTC
buildings. Wonokromo market is a gathering place
for merchants from various ethnic groups. Small
traders to large, ranging from retail up to the
wholesale level. Various household daily necessities
are also available here. There are clothes, shoes,
readymade clothing & textiles, cosmetics, gold, as
well as vegetables, fruits, cakes / snacks, chicken and
beef and also medicines sold here.
Wonokromo Market economically developed,
many visited and earn the trust of the other businesses
among them many banks that operates in the Market,
thus increase the income of traders consist of
thousands of family members and workers.
3.2 The Merchants Understanding of
Sharia Values
Sharia Values understanding diverse from sellers and
buyers in Wonokromo traditional market. The
diversity view of understanding associated with the
values of sharia known in trade transactions.
Differing views by traditional traders to the values of
sharia caused by background and environmental
factors surrounding. The understanding gained from
recitals, lectures from scholars, Friday sermon and
other events. Among the eight informants consisting
of five sellers and three buyers recognize that the
trade should be based on the values of Islamic law as
they know.
Merchants knew that transaction in Islam is
something allowed, even proposed. But according to
those in the trade must observe the rules set by Islam.
Traders understood that values of Shariah is the
basis to act or behave in accordance with the values
or ethical trade that has been advocated by Islam. For
example, the principles of the Islamic religion that
encourages traders to be true, trustworthy and honest,
not to lie in pricing and honest in the scales became
the basis for traders.
3.3 Implementing Sharia Values in
Pasar Wonokromo
Merchants understanding of the values of sharia is not
directly proportional to be implemented in the field.
Some of the behavior of traders deviate from the
values of sharia in trade. Just like pricing too high
from the initial price, as well as fraud in setting the
dose / scales as practiced by fruit traders. This attitude
is one form of deviation against Islamic religious
rules.
Furthermore, the values of Shariah relating to
trade in Islamic ethics displayed by the traders in the
daily trade practices. Among the behavior of traders
against consumers / buyers include values of honesty,
always providing the best service, taking advantage
not too big so it does not make as an element of riba
'that are forbidden in the trade.
Behavior towards fellow traders, traders applying
Islamic values of which are not involved in rivalries
that are not healthy and maintain good relations
between neighbors.
Furthermore, the social environment around him,
the traders to apply the principles issued shodaqoh
(charity) or zakat (obligatory alms for the poor) either
directly on institutions holding authorized zakat
dealer or indirectly. Overall these behaviors in order
to achieve success in the trade. But some traders who
do not distribute their zakat due to limited knowledge
related zakat measurement.
4 CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of research and discussion, can
be put forward some conclusions: the understanding
of sharia among the informants are very diverse. Such
understanding is the basis for the informant to behave
in accordance with the values of Shariah in or out off
the trade. From the research there are several
informants who deviate from the values of the
Shari'ah trading, including the existence of
discrepancies scales seen from the date checked by
metrology agencies had expired. Other deviant
behavior is dishonest traders in mentioning the price
of acquisition of goods. And also unpaid zakat trade.
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