Retreat and fasting: Some religious practices of Andalusi women

A short number of entries in Andalusi biographical sources are devoted to p ious women(salihat). These women are usually described as practising the re citation of the Quran, giving alms, leading a retired life and fasting. Tog ether with other texts, these biographies draw a picture in which a seclude d life and fasting became the privileged characteristics of religious piety among Andalusi women. Fasting, in particular, could be used as a means of going beyond the limits imposed on women by Muslim orthopraxis.