Geography and City Profile

• The city of Madīnah is located about $210\ \text{miles}$ (approx. $340\ \text{km}$) directly north of Makkah, on an oasis covering about $20\ \text{square miles}$.
• Distance varied with travel routes in Rasulullah’s (S) time; aerial distance today is shorter.
• Original name of the city: Yathrib. The name Yathrib is mentioned in the Qur’ān in surah al-Ahzāb, $33:13$.
• The name was derogatory; after Rasulullah (S) arrived, he renamed it al-Madīnah. The name Madīnah is mentioned three times in the Qur’ān: $9:101,\ 9:120;\ 63:8$.
• People affectionately called it Madinatun Nabi (City of the Nabi) or al-Madinah al-Munawwarah (the Radiant City).

Madīnah Period vs Makkah Period

• Madīnah featured a more diverse population with multiple cultures and faiths; life was more complex and challenging.
• Makkah had a relatively homogeneous community with a single faith and heavy reliance on commerce; Madīnah’s main profession was agriculture, with trade and commerce also present but at a lesser scale.
• The political environment in Madīnah was shaped by these diversity and faiths, leading to distinctive diplomatic and social dynamics.

Hijrah and Major Events Timeline

• Hijrah (Migration to Madīnah): $622\,\text{C.E.}$
• Battle of Badr: $12^{\text{th}}\ \text{Rabi al-Awwal}\, 624\,\text{C.E.}$
• Battle of Uhud: $625\,\text{C.E.}$
• Battle of the Trench (Khandaq): $627\,\text{C.E.}$
• Treaty of Hudaybiyah: $628\,\text{C.E.}$
• Liberation of Makkah: $630\,\text{C.E.}$
• Death of Rasulullah (S): $632\,\text{C.E.}$

Jewish Settlement in Madinah

• In the first century, Jews migrated to the region following Roman upheavals (Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 C.E.); a Qur’anic reference to this is $17:7$.
• Attempts to settle near Madīnah led to three major tribes: Banu Qaynuqa, Banu Nadir, and Banu Qurayzah.
• Despite sharing Judaism, relations among these tribes were not cordial; Banu Nadīr and Banu Qurayzah typically aligned against Banu Qaynuqa.
• As enmity among Jewish tribes persisted, Banu Qaynuqa relocated inside Madīnah and shifted to professions like blacksmithing and goldsmithing due to pressure from rivals.

Arab Settlement in Madinah

• Two main Arab tribes: the Aws and the Khazraj.
• Origins: They migrated from Yemen after the Maʿrib Dam collapse, which flooded much of their land; later economic and environmental pressures also contributed.
• Geographical placement: Aws occupied the southern and eastern parts of Madīnah; Khazraj occupied central and northern low-lying areas.
• Economic status: Aws areas were more fertile and prosperous; Khazraj areas were less fertile.
• Alliances: Over time, Aws allied with neighboring Banu Nadir and Banu Qurayzah; Khazraj aligned with Banu Qaynuqa.

History of Battles and Communal Tension

• The long-standing rivalries between Aws and Khazraj, carried into Madīnah, led to multiple battles.
• The first of these battles was Samir and the last was Buʿāth—occurring five years before Rasulullah’s (S) Hijrah (≈ 617 C.E.).
• The Jewish tribes played a major role in keeping enmity alive for their own self-interest, which contributed to greater communal tensions.

Tension in Madinah

• The inter-clan tensions in Madīnah were evident among 11 tribes inhabiting the 20-square-mile area; three of these were Jewish and had an adult male population of more than 2,000.
• The remaining eight tribes were Arab.
• Due to tensions, the Aws and Khazraj sought a neutral mediator to resolve centuries-long conflict.
• Initially, some thought the Jewish tribes could mediate, but they themselves became part of the problem by igniting and abating tension.

Economy of Madinah

• Currency: In Arabia, Byzantine and Persian currencies were used (gold, silver, and bronze coins).
• Usury and security deposits: Usurious lending and deposits as collateral were common, especially in the relationship between poorer Arab farmers and rich Jewish landlords.
• Usury details (note): Usury refers to unethical and oppressive loans with high interest. Loans often led to borrowers paying more interest over time, sometimes with principal unrepaid.
• Exchanges and credit: Jews controlled significant economic leverage, often using collateral that could include valuables, and in some cases women and children as security.
• Attitude toward usury: Arabs disliked these practices; Islam condemns usury; other religions have varied stances (e.g., Judaism prohibits usury among Jews but allows with non-Jews).
• Overall economy: Agriculture was the main source of revenue; commerce and some industry existed but to a lesser extent than Makkah.
• Industry controlled by Jews: Armor, war paraphernalia, jewelry, and pottery were notable crafts controlled by Jewish merchants.
• Market practices: Market transactions often relied on barter and coins; several volume-based measures existed, and unethical practices could manipulate volume-based trading.
• Import reliance: Food shortfalls were mitigated by importing certain staples from Syria.

Agriculture and Livestock

• Madīnah’s geography (fertile volcanic soil and abundant water) favored agriculture.
• Principal crops: Dates and grapes, with dates serving as staple food and currency in some exchanges; date trees provided building material and fodder for animals.
• Other crops: Barley, wheat, vegetables, and beans.
• Livestock: Camels, sheep, goats, cows; chickens; camels used for plowing; horses and cows used for hauling; horses were relatively scarce and mostly used in warfare.
• Jewish agricultural knowledge: The Jewish population taught local Arabs advanced agricultural techniques.
• Local bazaars and crafts: Jewelry bazaars among the Qaynuqa; markets traded perfumes, silk, cotton, and other fabrics.

Religion in Madinah before Islam

• Religious landscape: Judaism, paganism, and Christianity were the main faiths.
• Arab religious practices: The local Arabs did not have a single structured religion; their pagan beliefs were influenced by the Quraish model due to the proximity to the Kaʿbah.
• Idols: Madīnan households sometimes worshipped idols; Manāt was a chief goddess associated with Madīnah, but her temple was not in Madīnah. Other households had wooden or clay idols named after Manāt.
• The three major pre-Islamic goddesses (Al-Lat, Al-‘Uzzā, Manāt) are noted in pre-Islamic Arabia; these figures are condemned in the Qur’ān (see Surah An-Najm, verses 19–20).
• Judaism in Madinah: Jewish communities were respected for their knowledge of the Scriptures and had their own schools, laws (Torah and Talmud), and festivals, including fasting on the 10th day of Muharram; Sabbath observance was common.
• Interplay with Islam: Some Muslims joined Judaism through intermarriage; Jewish scholars and teachers influenced local religious and cultural life.

Overall Lifestyle in Madinah

• Social norms: Alcohol consumption was common; hunting was less common due to reliable crop supply.
• Culture: Poetry and poetry recitation were popular social activities.
• Gender roles: Women had relatively limited rights; they contributed to farming, fieldwork, weaving, sewing, and dyeing fabrics.
• Jewish craftsmanship: The Jewish community was skilled in making fine tools, furniture, decorative pieces, and jewelry.
• Water and living arrangements: Water was available, but people preferred visiting orchards or villas with shade; two-story houses and gardens were common; Jewish fortresses housed individual homes, gardens, and springs.

Abdullah Ibn Ubayy

• A notable figure among Madīnah’s inhabitants: A member of the Khazraj who sought to become the ruler of Madinah.
• After Muhammad (S) arrived, Ibn Ubayy pretended to be neutral and later joined the Muslim community while secretly undermining Islam throughout his life.

Notes on Temples and Idols (Key Details)

• Al-Lāt, al-‘Uzzā, and Manāt were pre-Islamic goddesses of Arabia whose temples existed outside Madīnah; temples of al-‘Uzzā at Nakhla, al-Lāt at Ta’if, and Manāt outside Madīnah.
• The Qur’ān mentions these goddesses in Surah An-Najm ( verses 19–20 ) and condemns them.

Review Questions (from Transcript)

• 1. Explain in what ways the city of Madīnah was different from the city of Makkah.
• 2. Summarize the early settlement of the Jewish tribes in Madīnah.
• 3. Analyze which tribes were involved in battles before Islam arrived in Madīnah and who abated whom.
• 4. Describe the roles the Jews played in controlling the economy of Madīnah.
• 5. Explain the religious ideologies and practices of the people of Madīnah before Islam.
• 6. Based on the chapter, what were some reasons the Aws and Khazraj wanted Muhammad (S) to come and settle among them?
• 7. Analyze what were some reasons the Jews could never establish absolute authority in Madīnah?