FEMALE INFANTICIDE

which existed amongst the ancient Arabians, was condemned by Muḥammad. Vide Qurʾān:— Sūrah xvi. 60 : “For when the birth of a daughter is announced to any one of them, dark shadows settle on his face, and he is sad. He hideth himself from the people because of the bad news: shall he keep it with disgrace or bury it in the dust? Are not their judgments wrong.” Sūrah xvii. 33 : “Kill not your children for fear of want: for them and for you will We (God) provide.” Sūrah lxxxi. 8 : “… And when the damsel that had been buried alive shall be asked (at the Day of Judgment) for what crime she was put to death.” FIDYAH ( فدية‎ ). A ransom. From fidāʾ , “to ransom,” “to exchange.” An expiation for sin, or for duties unperformed. The word occurs three times in the Qurʾān:— Sūrah ii. 180 : “For those who are able to keep it (the fast) and yet break it, there shall be as an expiation the maintenance of a poor man.” Sūrah ii. 192 : “Perform the pilgrimage and the visitation of the holy places.… But whoever among you is sick, or hath an ailment of the head, must expiate by fasting, or alms, or a sacrifice.” Sūrah lvii. 14 : “On that day (the Day of Judgment) no expiation shall be taken from you ( i.e . the hypocrites) or from those who do not believe; your abode is the fire.” The other word used in the Qurʾān for the same idea is kaffārah . [ KAFFARAH , EXPIATION .]