Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
11. Islam comes to Madinah
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11. ISLAM COMES TO MADINAH
Before the coming of Islam, the city of Madinah was
known as Yathrib. Besides the two main tribes of the
Aws and Khazraj, some Jewish tribes lived in the
area, who had established their dominance by
pursuing a policy of divide and rule. Their prime
concern had always been to keep their Arab
neighbours weak and disunited. Just five years before
the Prophet emigrated to Madinah, the Khazraj, at the
instigation of the Jews, rose up against the Aws. An
Aws chieftain by the name of Abu’l Baysar Anas ibn
Rafi’ went to Makkah along with a few of his fellows,
in order to seek the help of the Quraysh. The Prophet,
hearing about their arrival, went to see them, and
invited them to accept Islam.
One of their company, a youth by the name of Ayas
ibn Mu’adh, was impressed by the Prophet’s words.
He told his companions that this was much better
than what they had come for, but they did not
agree. Abu’l Baysar threw some earth in Ayas’ face
in disgust and told him to forget about what
Muhammad had said, for they had other, more
pressing business of their own.
