Scrutizing the Constructions of waʾd through Major Lexicographical Sources

Abstract

The term waʾd is commonly understood to refer to the alleged custom of the pre-Islamic era to bury new-born girls alive after their birth. As such, it has become part and parcel of the portrayal of pre-Islamic Arabia (ǧāhiliyya). The present paper provides a thorough analysis of the concept of waʾd and its relevant cognates, as they occur in major lexicographical sources, aiming to shed light on certain mechanisms of construction of what is traditionally accepted as an accurate depiction of a real practice.