Saqaliba was/is used to refer to the Slavic populations kidnapped as part of the Arab slave trade. They served as mercenaries in the early caliphates, and the women often served in the harem.

However, it should also be noted that some of these "Slavs" who were taken were not necessarily Slavs, but lived in the Slavic lands, as there is often no distinction made.

As to what happened to them, a number of Saqaliba became very powerful and ruled a number of principalities in Al-Andalus. The taifa of Denia is said to have been started by a Saqalab, based on his name and the presence of Saqalab guards in Al-Andalus. However there is no definite proof of this.

After this, they simply continued to live in the Muslim world and assimilated into the greater Arab culture.