among the Jews themselves on In Yathrib, an atmosphere of competition and struggle for power prevailed one hand, and between Arabs and Jews on the other. The Jews were divided among themselves due to their tribal fragmentation, with each tribe settling in a strategic location that served its goals and represented a point of strength. The Banu Qurayza, in particular, settled in the southeastern areas of Yathrib and were distinguished by their military strength and weapons manufacturing. They built strong fortifications and castles there for war purposes.
The Banu al-Nadir settled in the western regions, which were characterized by fertile land, making them skilled in agriculture. The Banu Qaynuqa concentrated in the marketplace because they worked in jewelry making and general trade. This geographic distribution and tribal division influenced the balance of power and alliances with other tribes that settled in Yathrib later on.
The migration of the Aws and Khazraj to Yathrib.
The Aws and Khazraj migrated from Yemen to Yathrib after the event of the flood of the Aram. The Jews had already settled in Yathrib before them and had established their influence over all its areas, having the upper hand there. The Aws and Khazraj came under the Jews and lived in their protection, seeking refuge with them, and the Arabs accepted their poor economic situation next to the Jews. However, the Jews exaggerated in harming them and increased their insults, humiliating them in a way that Arab souls could not tolerate. Thus, the Arabs thought about getting rid of them or at least subjugating them to their authority.
The Jews divided among themselves due to their tribal dispersal, so each tribe settled in a strategic location that serves its goals.
Their thinking led them to seek help from their cousins, the Ghassanids, as they were the closest to them and more deserving than others to support them. They sent a delegation to Abu Jubayla al-Ghassani to complain about the Jews, describing the mistreatment and persecution they faced. Abu Jubayla was outraged and swore to humiliate the Jews and hand over control to the Arabs.
Abu Jubayla prepared a great army and approached as if he intended to go to Yemen. He camped near Yathrib and sent for the Aws and Khazraj tribes. When they arrived, he welcomed them and provided for them. Then he sent a messenger to the Jews, proclaiming that whoever wanted the favor of the king should come to him. This was a clever trick to prevent the Jews from fortifying themselves in their strongholds, making them vulnerable. The Jewish leaders came out to him, and he ordered food for them. Once they were gathered, he killed them, leaving no one alive. At that point, the Aws and Khazraj gained strength and took control of the governance of Yathrib and its affairs. They shared the date palms and homes with the Jews and became the dominant power there after having tasted the bitterness of humiliation at the hands of the Jews.
The Jews lived alongside the Arabs as allies, though not as equals. Each group of Jews sought refuge with a branch of the Aws and Khazraj tribes who they were proud to be associated with, for the Qurayza and the Nadir allied with the Aws, while the Banu Qaynuqa allied with the Khazraj. Thus, when a calamity befell one of them, he would turn to his Arab allies rather than his fellow Jews, saying: "We are indeed your neighbors and your supporters.
The role of the Arabs in Yathrib transformed from that of migrating tribes from the southern Arabian Peninsula into those holding influence, leadership, and authority over the Jews and others. The two tribes coexisted in Yathrib for a time without any significant conflicts until deep disagreements and long-lasting struggles arose, as each sought to assert dominance in managing affairs in Yathrib. This escalated to fierce wars; this conflict lasted for nearly 120 years, starting on the day of "Samir" and ending with the battle of "Bu'ath," which occurred five years before the Prophethood.
... and they lived among the Arabs as allies, not as full members. So, each group sought refuge in a clan from the Aws and Khazraj, feeling pride in them.
The Jews played a significant role in the continuation and escalation of the war among the Arab tribes throughout this period. They believed that the coalition of the Arabs and their unity represented a loss of the Jewish future and the end of their presence in Yathrib. Therefore, it was imperative for the Jews to keep the conflict between the Aws and Khazraj tribes alive.
The policy of 'divides and conquer' among the Jews.
The Jews resorted to ensuring the continuation of the conflict between the Arabs in Yathrib by using the policy of "Divide and Rule"; which aims to weaken the strength of the opponent by dividing it into conflicting factions among themselves, thus preventing them from uniting against any common enemy. They then incited sectarian strife, fueled racism, spread a spirit of vengeance among them, and ignited internal and external wars that would ultimately exhaust the powers of all parties involved.
Dr. Mohamed Al-Wakeel says: The Jews were capable of forming a third force in Yathrib, which they could use to pressure both warring parties until they submitted to a peace agreement and were satisfied with ending the war. However, this would not achieve what they wanted. Ending the war would strengthen the Arabs, which the Jews did not like, especially since they were benefiting from this war. They were skilled in weapon manufacturing and usury lending, and the ongoing war represented a significant economic benefit for them. Therefore, they stood by as spectators, not proposing peace nor intervening to end the war.
The Jews and the Politics of Segregation Throughout History
This is the policy of the Jews in every era they lived in and in the countries, they settled in. In the Roman Empire, the Jews supported certain local factions and parties that were in conflict with each other to ensure their safe coexistence among them. In Europe during the Middle Ages, the Jews presented themselves as economic and trade intermediaries between the nobility and the poorer classes, which contributed to class tensions, social divisions, and increased public anger, in a way that served their interests and ensured their secure existence.
To ensure the continuation of the conflict between the Arabs in Yathrib, the Jews resorted to using the policy of "Divide and Conquer.
The enemies of Islam knew that they would not be able to control our lands and plunder our riches and resources unless we were divided and fragmented. From here, the cunning trio—France, Britain, and Italy, with Russian blessing—gathered and plotted to divide and tear apart our nation, what came to be known as the "Sykes-Picot Agreement." Thus, the nation became like the scum of human refuse, living on the banks of the human life river as fragmented, warring states, bordered by artificial geographical lines and repulsive nationalistic sentiments. National and patriotic flags fluttered in the sky above it, ruled by the secular laws of the West, and caught in political whirlwinds, unable to break free from their rotations, nor even able to choose for themselves the very place in which they spin!
They were able to achieve their aim and diminish the prestige of the best nation brought forth to people, to the point that the weak dared to aspire to it before the strong, and the distant before the nearby. It became at the tail end of the human convoy, begging at the tables of human thought from those scorched by the fatal heat of noon, who were exhausted by the long walk-in confusion and darkness. The fragmented nation now sways in its journey, and it does not know the path that it should follow, after having been, not long ago, the skillful and astute guide in the tangled paths and in the treacherous desert that only seasoned guides could navigate.
The nation of Islam was a leader and pioneer, with its banner waving across the lands of the Earth from one end to the other, during the time it was united and cohesive, fulfilling the commands of its Lord. (And fall into no disputes, lest ye lose heart and your power depart;)(Al-Anfal 46)
But she was formidable, and everyone respected her greatly.
- Yathrib before Islam.
- Mecca and Medina, Dr. Ahmed Al-Sharif.
- Wikipedia Encyclopedia (with modifications).
- A Crisis of a Nation, Muhammad Hassan.
