Yathrib Becomes the City of the Prophet With the Prophet’s arrival, the name of Yathrib switched over to be known as the city of the Prophet, i.e., Medina-tun-Nabi. The people also callit “Medina Al-Munawara” (the city of light), commonly known as Medina. In fact, Yathrib was not its original name; the natives of the city used to call it “Taiba,” meaning “the loving one” or “a good place to live,” because of its climate and being an oasis, full of roses, fruits, vegetables, and grains. But the Bedouins and the Makkahns, during their visit, usually used to fall sick due to overeating and using different types of meals that were not available in their deserted area, and/or due to some pollen grains’ reactions. They, therefore, treated it to be a place of discomfort, hence called it “Yathrib.” The area of the city was approximately thirty kilometers. The suburbs of the city were surrounded by seventy-two fortresses of which fifty-nine belonged to the Jews. In the north is the famous mount of Uhad, in the south the mount of Asir and the town of Quba. In the east, west, and south parts of the suburbs exists the lava waste spreads. There existed as well a flood lake in the north, where the Prophet of Allah had learned swimming during his childhood. The city residents were the Arabs and the Jews, being equal in population. The Jews were divided in three tribes, i.e., Banu Quraida, Banu Nadar, and Banu Qainuqah, whereas the Arabs belonged to Aows and Khizrij tribes. It has been recorded that the Jews settled there during AD 135 as a result of their expulsion from Syria by the Roman king Hardin. Also their arrival at that place was due to their knowledge about the forthcoming Prophet at the place described like the vicinity they knew about Yathrib. They also believed that the Prophet expected to come would be among the Jews, since all the prophets in the past had been among them. The Arabs of Medina were engaged in the professions of trade, agriculture, and flocks keeping, whereas the Jews were the agriculturists, the goldsmiths, and the leather processors. The Aows and Khizrij had been in conflicts for most of the time due to their tribal disputes; they therefore decided to appoint a decisive authority for their good governance and had agreed upon to make a king for them. Thereby they had selected Abd-Allah-bin-Ubai to be their king. The goldsmiths were preparing to crown the selected king. But it was his bad luck that the matter of his ceremony was held in abeyance when the people of Medina knew about the arrival of the Prophet of Allah and came under his leadership happily when the Prophet arrived in Medina. On the other hand, the Jews were also pleased to have the Prophet with them and were expecting that he will pronounce the religion that they already had. Their expectations were strengthened when they observed the niche of the mosque of Quba toward Jerusalem, the same as of them. Also the Quran had mentioned with praise all the previous prophets, whom they believed; this added to their confidence that the Prophet Muhammad shall be the prophet among the Jews. They also believed that the Jews are the superior creation and that the prophet can only be nominated out of them. They also communicated their views to the Prophet of Allah at Quba that he should adopt their religion. It was their misfortune that they could not realize that the religion brought by the Prophet Muhammad was not a new religion; instead it was a revival of the previous divine religions of Christianity and Judaism. The Prophet of Allah negated their views and suggestions with the remarks that he has not declared himself to be a Prophet at his own; instead Allah had bestowed him the prophet hood. He further added that everyone is equal before Allah. He bestows to whom He wants. On this the Jews were disappointed, and their mala fide opinion further aggravated when they saw the Muslims praying their weekly congregation on Friday at the Quba Mosque instead of Saturday, the day of their weekly congregation. They now gave up their hope that the Prophet would be among them, so none of the Jews accepted Islam except the only fortunate one, who had announced earlier the Prophet’s arrival at Quba. Thus, it was the beginning and the end of the Jews’ relationship with the Prophet of Allah. They, however, rejected the good fortune and became enemy of the Prophet and his followers. (From my book)
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 20:17:29 +0000
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