Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 114
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 114 been guided aright (20:136). Muhammad’s bearing towards his followers, no less than towards his opponents, exhibits the assurance of being the vicegerent of God and the exponent of His will. A ray of hope beamed in the north. At a distance of approximately 250 miles from Mecca was a town then known as Yathrab. Its population was divided into two groups, Jews and pagans. There were three principal tribes of Jews, Banu Qainuqa, Banu Nadhir and B anu Quraidha. The pagans had two divisions, Aus and Khazraj. These two were generally at loggerheads with each other. At the time of which we are writing they were preparing for a fearful battle which became known as the battle of Bu’ath. In that battle, m any leading personalities on both sides perished. As the Jews were an intellectual and religious people and were more wealthy and more powerful than the Arab tribes, they were looked up to by the latter. If any of them was desirous of having male issue, he would make a vow that he would offer his first so n to the Jews to be brought up among them in their religion. Living in the proximity of the Jews, Aus and Khazraj had acquired some glimmerings of Scripture and prophethood. They had heard that the Jews, according to their Scripture, were awaiting the adve nt of a prophet, under whose leadership they would wipe out the pagans and would become a great power. While the Holy Prophet, peace be on him, was occupied with visiting tribe after tribe, he came to know that a well - known personality of Yathrab, Suwaib bin Thamat, had arrived in Mecca. He was, on account of his bravery, noble descent and