Safâsif Market: Pre-Islamic Medina Markets

During the period of Jahiliyyah, there were four major market areas in Medina. These markets were lined up on the western side of the city from south to north, with Safâsif Market located at the southernmost point. According to sources, Safâsif Market was established on the lands belonging to the Benû Cahcebâ branch of the Amr b. Awf family. This area, also referred to as the "Cahcebâoğulları lands," has held a strategically significant economic position in the southwestern part of Medina since the pre-Islamic period. The name Safâsif means "large flat areas" or "wide land parcels" in Arabic, and this geographical description points to the physical characteristics of the land where the market was established. As one of the four major bazaars of Medina, Safâsif was characterized as a large open market where agricultural products and livestock trade were conducted. After the Prophet Muhammad migrated to Medina, he visited all the existing bazaars. As a result of these visits, he found that these markets were continuing a trade understanding contrary to Islamic principles and established a new market specifically for Muslims. This new market initiative, which began in Bakîu'z-Zübeyr, was attempted to be sabotaged by the Jewish leader Kâ'b b. Eşref, who cut the tent ropes; however, the Prophet did not give up and permanently established the new Muslim market in a large area in the Benî Sâide region. The Asabe area, where Safâsif Market is located, was also an important transit point within the geographical structure of Medina. This area served as a significant first stop for caravans entering Medina from the south. [Source: TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, "Market" article, islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/pazar; TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, "Medina" article, islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/medine]