Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index


  • Record Number: 7844
  • Author(s)/Creator(s): Giladi , Avner.
  • Contributor(s):
  • Title: Some Observations on Infanticide in Medieval Muslim Society [Infanticide was a recognized practice in Arabia before the emergence of Islam, and although Muhammed denounced the practice in the Qu'ran, evidence from Qu'anic commentaries and hadith literature indicate that it persisted (even in post-Islamic Arabia) as a family planning strategy. For instance, a family under extreme economic pressure might allow an infant (especially a girl) to die soon after birth. Although Arab polytheists may have willingly sacrificed children (especially males, who were deemed most precious), Muslims viewed boys and girls as equals and on the whole rejected infanticide. Title note supplied by Feminae.].
  • Source: International Journal of Middle East Studies 22, 2 (May 1990): Pages 185 - 200.
  • Description:
  • Article Type: Journal Article
  • Subject (See Also): Abortion Arabic Language Children Commentaries Girls Hadith, Literary Genre Infanticide Infants Islam Law Muslims Qur'an Exegesis Social Change Social History Women's Status
  • Award Note:
  • Geographic Area: Eastern Mediterranean
  • Century: 7-8
  • Primary Evidence:
  • Illustrations:
  • Table:
  • Abstract:
  • Related Resources:
  • Author's Affiliation: University of Haifa
  • Conference Info: - , -
  • Year of Publication: 1990.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN/ISBN: 00207438