In ancient Arab societies, there was no consensus on whether abortion was considered moral or immoral. Some scholars believed that it was permissible if the fetus was deformed or if pregnancy posed a threat to the mother's health, while others viewed it as murder. Families often pressured their daughters into having an abortion if they were unmarried or unable to support a child financially. These factors influenced women's psychological well-being, leading them to experience guilt and regret afterward. In Islamic teachings, life begins at conception, so early abortions may have been seen as acceptable in some cases, but later ones were frowned upon. In Christian communities, abortion was generally condemned, but exceptions were made for rape victims or those whose lives were threatened.
The decision to terminate a pregnancy was often based on religious beliefs and familial expectations. Women who had sex before marriage faced social stigma and pressure to conceal their actions. Those who became pregnant out of wedlock were expected to marry or seek an abortion, even though this could be risky without modern medical technology. The practice of female infanticide was also common, especially among Bedouin tribes. This led to cultural norms that valued boys over girls, making mothers more likely to risk pregnancy with multiple partners to ensure male heirs.
These views were not universal, and many Muslim scholars argued against infanticide.
Abortion was typically performed by midwives using herbs or other traditional methods. The Quran prohibits causing injury to fetuses, which could lead to legal action. Some families sent their daughters away to hide their pregnancy until giving birth. Others arranged for adoption or found alternative solutions like adultery or divorce to avoid shame. Pregnant women often felt isolated and alone, adding to their emotional distress.
Reproductive choices in Arab societies were shaped by complex social, religious, and family factors, impacting both the physical and mental health of women.
How were abortion practices in Arab societies morally evaluated, and how did religious, familial, and social frameworks influence women's reproductive choices and psychological well-being?
In most Arab societies, there was no absolute prohibition of abortion before the 19th century. The Quran mentions it as an acceptable practice if a woman's life is endangered by pregnancy (Salih 2013).