Se e ra h a s a Mo ve me nt
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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 himin. Some of the people he approachedused 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 theArabs.When he came, they would join forces with him,
and eliminate theAws 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 theAws andKhazraj 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 timewhich for years theProphet hadbeen awaitingfinally
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
