These Arab tribes [at the time of the appearance of
Muhammad] were most barbarous and rapacious, and in comparison with them the
wild and fierce natives of America were the Platos of the age, for they did not
bury their children alive as these Arabs did their daughters, claiming this to
be an act of honour and taking pride therein. Thus many of the men would
threaten their wives, saying, “If a daughter is born to you, I will kill you.”
Even to the present day the Arabs dread having daughters.
Moreover, one man could take a thousand wives, and most
husbands had more than ten wives in their household. When these tribes waged
war against each other, the victors would take captive the women and children
of the vanquished, regard them as slaves, and engage in buying and selling
them.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Table talks in Akka, authenticated by ‘Abdu’l-Baha; ‘Some
Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)
