Muwallad

A Muwallad is a historical term used in Islamic Spain (Al-Andalus) to describe someone of mixed ancestry, typically with a Muslim parent and a non-Muslim (often Christian or Jewish) parent. The term often carried social and legal implications, depending on the context, reflecting complex relationships of identity, religion, and status within medieval society. Muwallads contributed significantly to cultural and social life, bridging diverse communities, and played vital roles in trade, knowledge, and politics during that period. Their identity was shaped by their heritage and their integration into the Islamic society of the time.