Expulsion from the Tribes

Seerah as a Movement name your forefather had.’ But they were untouched by his evident good will and rejected his proposals. The last three years of the Prophet’s time in Makkah were spent among various tribes, looking for one which would grant him asylum. Yet despite his untiring efforts, not a single tribe was ready to take him in. Some of the people he approached used to taunt him, saying, ‘Isn’t it high time that you despaired of us?’ Eventually God gave the tribes of Aws and Khazraj, which hailed from Madinah, the courage to extend their support to the Prophet. There was one special, psychological reason for their decision. There were Jewish tribes living in their vicinity—the Jews of Khaybar, who had possession of the most fertile land in the area; they also had control of the region’s commerce. A large proportion of the Aws and Khazraj made a living for themselves working for these Jews. The Jews’ economic domination, and their exploitation of those beneath them, led the two groups often to wars. The Jews used to tell these Madinan tribes that soon a prophet would come among the Arabs. When he came, they would join forces with him, and eliminate the Aws and Khazraj completely. This warning of the Jews is referred to in a verse of the Quran: “From of old they had prayed for victory against those without faith.” (2:89) When the Aws and Khazraj heard the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, they recognized him as the prophet the Jews had mentioned, and made haste to accept him, before the Jews did so. Besides this, there were other historical and social reasons which made it comparatively easier for the Aws and Khazraj to understand the message of the Prophet Muhammad, and believe in him, than it was for other tribes. It did not take much deliberation before they swore allegiance to him. So the time which for years the Prophet had been awaiting finally came. He had found a place in which, under tribal protection, he would be able to continue his struggle effectively. The fact that the majority of the people of Madinah accepted Islam made it easier for the Muslims’ scattered resources to be brought together in one