The Narratives of Capturing Women during the Prophetic Era: An Analytical Study in Light of Islamic Sources and Orientalist Thought

Abstract

Captivity was a deeply rooted phenomenon in pre-Islamic Arab societies. The treatment of captives, particularly women, was governed by tribal customs and traditional practices based on the logic of power and dominance. Women were often enslaved, sold in slave markets, and treated in brutal ways, as no laws regulated their treatment. However, with the advent of Islam, new legislation and guidelines were introduced to regulate this phenomenon in accordance with the principles of mercy and justice, aiming to preserve human dignity.

This study addresses the topic of female captivity during the Prophetic era—a sensitive and significant subject that has often been misunderstood by some narrators and has sparked controversy among Western scholars (Orientalists). The study aims to provide a critical reading of the historical narratives found in books of biography and history, analyzing them within their legal and historical context. It also examines the views of Orientalists and offers responses to their claims.