An Outline of Early Islamic History — Page 33
33 Chap ter 8 Life in Medina Medina is an old town. It lies some two hundred miles north of Mecca across the trade route between the Hijaz and Syria. Cold in winter and hot in summer, Medina has plenty of rain. It is a valley dotted with hills. People lived there in villages. Each tri be had his own village, its own fort. There were Jews and pagans. Jews had three tribes – Banu Nadhir, Banu Quraiza and Banu Qainqa. The pagan tribes were Aus and Khazraj. Jews were smart traders. They held great power. There had been plenty of trouble between Jews and pagans. Jews succeeded in dividing pagans, making them fight among themselves. There was a big war between Aus and Khazraj. It is called the war of Buas. The Banu Qainqa Jews aided the Khazraj and Banu Nadhir and Banu Quraiza Jews helped the Aus. There was much killing. When both Aus and Khazraj became exhausted, they realized their mistake and made peace. Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salul became their chief. It was at this time that Islam made its way into Medina. The Jews did not like the new religion. Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salul did not like the Prophet. The Quresh were bitter enemies of Islam. The future of Medina was in the hands of God. Muslims were no doubt comparatively safe now. But security was