In pre-Islamic Arab society, the honor of a family depended on the honor of its wives, leading to the belief that the group was vulnerable through girls and women. Women were seen as a burden and many were victims of infanticide because they needed protection from capture and were seen as a drain on the family's meager resources. The most common form of ridding the family of an unwanted daughter was to "bury her in the dust", which was done while the child was still alive. Once established, Islam condemned the practice and demanded that "...those who had killed their daughters during the time of jahiliyyah atone for their heinous act." The Prophet said: “Whoever has a daughter and does not bury her alive, does not insult her and does not favor his son over her, [God] will enter her into Paradise. » Muhammad's words contrast sharply with the commonly accepted representation of the importance of women in Islamic society. The search for the truth behind stereotypes and misinterpreted ideas is an eye-opening journey into the lives of Muslim women. Khadija bint Khuwaylid (555-619 CE) is the first of many important women in Islam. Before her marriage, she lived in a pre-Islamic society where local traditions and customs determined women's behavior and where polytheism was widespread. After converting to Islam, she lived in a society where the Prophet and his revelations defined acceptable behavior and where monotheism was established. Khadija's ability to adapt to changing principles in her society shows the high level of courage she possessed. Khadija's ability to successfully manage her father's affairs while refusing to marry until she is ready suggests a high level of intelligence...... middle of paper ...... was raised by Zubaida after the death of his mother, sought her lawyer and he accepted her opinion in many cases. Works Cited Ahmed. Haq Islam. May 17, 2009. http://www.haqislam.org/zubaydah-the-empress/ (accessed May 2, 2011). Ahmed, Leila. Women and gender in Islam. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1992. Ayoub, Mahmoud M. Islam Faith and History. Oxford: Oneworld Publications, 2004. George, Linda S. The Golden Age of Islam. Tarrytown: Benchmark Books, 1998. Hinds, Kathryn. Life in the medieval Muslim world: faith. Tarrytown: Michelle Bisson, 2009. Husn, Ma'n Abul. “Al Habtoor Group.” Al Shindagah Online. July and August 2003. http://www.alshindagah.com/julaug2003/woman53.html (accessed May 2, 2011). Keddie, Nikki R. and Beth Baron. Women in Middle Eastern History: Shifting the Boundaries of Sex and Gender. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1991.