The Institutions of State in the Khilafah by Hizb ut-Tahrir

The Muhtasib has the power to judge on the offence as soon as he learns about it, and this could take place on the spot and at any location; he does not need to be in a judicial court. He will have at his disposal a number of police staff to execute his orders and to apply the sentence on the spot. .

A judicial court would not be required for the Muhtasib to look into the case at hand. He passes the judgement the moment he is sure that the offence took place, and he has the power to judge at any place and at anytime, whether in the market, in the house, whilst riding or in the car during the day or night. This is because the evidence that confirms the need to have a judicial court in order to deal with a case does not apply to the Muhtasib, because the hadith which confirmed this condition states: "The two disputant parties sat down before the judge/ruler." .

And he (PBUH) said: .

“If the two disputing parties sat before you.” This is not applicable to the judge of Hisbah, as there is no plaintiff and no defendant; there is rather a public right that has been violated, or a violation of the Shariah. Besides, when the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) looked into the case of the heap of food, he was walking in the market at the time and the food was displayed for sale. .

He (PBUH) did not summon the vendor to him, but as soon as he detected the offence he dealt with it on the spot. This indicates that the cases of Hisbah do not require a judicial court. .

The Muhtasib has the right to select deputies for himself. They should fulfil the requirements of the Muhtasib, and he is allowed to assign them to different places. Those deputies would have the power to carry out the duties of the Hisbah in the areas to which they have been assigned, and in the cases for which they have been delegated. This depends on whether the appointment of the Muhtasib includes a clause that gives him powers to appoint deputies for himself, i.e. to assign deputyship by delegating deputies who would act on his behalf. In case he was not given such right of deputyship, i.e. the right to appoint deputies to him, then he has no such right of appointment.