The Prophet in Makkah

his companions build the Prophet’s mosque with their own hands. According to Ibn Kathir, the Prophet commented that “this is not the labour of Khaybar; this is much more worthwhile and honest work.”) In economic domination by the Jews and their exploitation of the Madinan tribes, fighting often broke out between the Jews on the one side and the Aws and Khazraj on the other. The Jews used to deride these tribes, telling them that a Prophet would soon come among the Arabs and that when he did, they would join forces with him and eliminate the Aws and Khazraj. When the Aws and Khazraj heard the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, they recognized him as the prophet the Jews had taunted them with, and they made haste to accept him before the Jews could do so. Moreover, there were other historical reasons for it being comparatively easier for the Aws and Khazraj to understand the message brought by the Prophet and to believe in him personally than it was for the other tribes. They did not deliberate long, therefore, before swearing allegiance to him. So the time, which the Prophet had been awaiting for years, finally came. He had found a place in which, under tribal protection, he would be able to continue his struggle effectively. The Muslims of Makkah and the surrounding territories would be gathered together in one centre. The fact that most of the people of Madinah accepted Islam made it easier for the Muslims’ scattered resources to be brought together in one place and used more effectively to further the Islamic cause. When the Aws and the Khazraj swore allegiance, the Prophet quickly returned to his companions.