Female Infanticide in Pre-Islamic Arab Society: A Quranic and Historical Perspective

Abstract

Female infanticide is the deliberate killing of female babies. Infanticide can be dated back to antiquity and the particular killing of females has been a prevalent practice not only in ancient times but also in the contemporary era. In the pre-Islamic era, Arabs used to bury their daughter alive for the fear of poverty and shame. Quran and Hadith strictly condemned this practice. This repugnant custom of killing infants was deeply rooted in Arabs after Islam there was a significant decrease as Infanticide either of male or female is unlawful according to Islamic jurisprudence. This research will provide a historical and analytical overview of female infanticide in the pre-Islamic period explaining its origin, factors, dynamics, and methods. The article also tries to figure out some honorable personalities who struggled against female infanticide in the pre-Islamic era, later on, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) appreciated them for their righteous deeds. The condemnation of infanticide frequently appears in the hadith literature, as well as praise for adherents who rescue females from execution, suggests that this practice was widely prevalent in medieval societies. This article will discuss some pieces of evidence of female infanticide from Arab societies and the Qur’anic perspective regarding this inhumane and barbaric custom.