Article 1: Women Before Islam – The Age of Jahiliyya
In Brief
Before Islam, Arab society often treated women as property. Newborn girls were sometimes killed by burial or abandonment, and women had few legal rights. Islam condemned female infanticide and proclaimed that women are full human beings entitled to life and respect. In early Islamic history, women like the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ wife Khadījah رضی الل عن ا ہ ہ became successful businesspeople and leaders, showing Islam’s break with earlier customs. This article explores the harsh realities for women in pre-Islamic Arabia and the Quranic reforms that followed.
Pre-Islamic Discrimination
Pre-Islamic Arabian social norms varied, but some historical accounts and early Islamic texts describe tribes practising female infanticide, including burying infant daughters alive. The Quran later explicitly condemns this injustice:
“And when the [girl] that was buried alive is asked—for what sin she was killed…” (Quran 81:8–9).
This verse envisions Allah questioning a girl who was buried alive, highlighting the injustice of killing an innocent child. Classical commentators explain that the scene belongs to the Day of Resurrection, when victims will testify and perpetrators will be held accountable. Modern scholarship notes that claims of widespread infanticide may have been exaggerated in later traditions to emphasize Islam’s reforms. Some pre-Islamic poetry suggests diverse practices, and scholars such as Lindstedt argue that infanticide was not uniform across Arabia. The exact extent of the practice remains uncertain. Islam’s prohibition on killing children is clear.
Social Stigma of Daughters
The Quran describes the reaction of some men to news of a daughter’s birth:
“Whenever one of them is given the news of a female [child], his face darkens, suppressing anger.” (Quran 16:58; wording varies by translation).
The verse criticizes shame and resentment associated with the birth of girls. Classical and modern commentators explain that the Quran challenged this mindset and affirmed the value of daughters.
Marriage Customs
Some pre-Islamic customs restricted women’s choices in marriage. Islamic teachings established marriage as a contract and emphasized the bride’s consent. Hadith reports state that a woman’s permission must be sought before marriage; forced marriage is rejected in Islamic teaching.
Economic Status
Women’s economic circumstances varied in pre-Islamic Arabia. Many women had limited inheritance rights, while some, such as Khadījah bint Khuwaylid رضی الل عن ا ہ ہ, were successful merchants. Khadījah was a prosperous trader before her marriage to Muhammad ﷺ and is an example of a woman with significant economic agency.
Transition under Islam
With the revelation of the Quran (610–632 CE) and the Prophet’s example, Islamic teachings challenged unjust customs. The term Jāhiliyya (“ignorance”) came to refer to pre-Islamic religious and social conditions, including practices condemned by Islam. Key teachings included:
Prohibition of infanticide: the Quran condemns killing children. Inheritance rights: Quran 4:7 establishes a legally determined share for women as well as men. Consent in marriage: Prophetic reports require that a woman’s permission be sought.
Economic independence: women may own property and retain their mahr (marriage gift). Education and honour: women participated in learning and transmitting religious knowledge; Aisha رضی الل ہ ہ عن ا became a prominent teacher.
Relevant Verses and Hadith
Quran 81:8–9: Condemns the killing of girls buried alive. Quran 16:58: Describes resentment at the birth of a daughter. Quran 4:7: Establishes shares of inheritance for women and men. Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi: Hadith reports emphasize that the best believers are those who treat their wives best; verify the exact wording and grading in the edition cited.
Facts & Figures
India, Census 2011: the supplied draft gives Muslim women’s literacy at about 62.1% and Muslim men’s literacy at 74.8%, with national female literacy at 64.7%. These figures should be checked against the exact Census table and age group before publication. The exact prevalence of female infanticide in pre-Islamic Arabia is unknown. Modern scholarship cautions against presenting it as universal.
Common Misconceptions
Misconception: “Islam supports female infanticide because the Quran mentions it.” Clarification: Quran 81:8–9 condemns the killing of girls; it does not endorse it. Misconception: “Women had no rights in Islam.” Clarification: Islamic sources recognize women’s inheritance, property and marriage-consent rights, though historical practice has varied.
Sources and Further Reading
Lindstedt, Ilkka, “The Qur’an and the putative pre-Islamic practice of female infanticide” (JIQSA, 2023) – scholarly analysis of claims about infanticide. Quran 81:8–9 and relevant tafsir/commentary. Hamza Yusuf, “Women in the Qur’an and Hadith” (university lecture, 2005); verify bibliographic details before publication.
Related Articles
Inheritance and Property (Article 4) Common Misconceptions (Article 6)
Article 2: Women’s Rights in Islam – Quranic Foundations
In Brief
The Quran provides a foundation for women’s rights and dignity. It acknowledges women’s spiritual accountability and reward and sets out rights relating to inheritance, marriage and personal safety. Key verses, including Quran 4:7, and Prophetic teachings underscore that piety and deeds—not gender alone—determine a person’s standing before God. This article examines Quranic verses and Hadith about women’s rights and their meaning.