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The Origin of Islam

  • Mohammed was a member of the Meccan pagan tribe Banu Hashim, a part of the bigger Banu Quraysh.
  • One day he has a revelation.
  • 610 AD: He goes to the Cube (Kaaba) of Mecca and presents his revelations
  • 622 AD: The polytheist tribe, Banu Quraysh had the Muslims move from Mecca to Medina
  • The population of Medina had, alongside the 200 emigrant followers from Mecca, the Faithful of Medina (who gave them accommodation and converted to Islam; belonged to Banu al-Aws and Banu Khazraj), Arab pagans, three Jewish tribes and some Christians.

Rough notes section

Caliphates (add dates)
  • Rashidun Caliphate
  • First Muslim Civil War / First Fitna against Rashidun Caliphate and establishment of Ummayad Caliphate
  • Second Muslim Civil War / Second Fitna: Ummayad Caliphate vs Zubayrid Caliphate (Battle of Khazir)
  • This led to the the sectarian division of Sunni and Shi'a Muslims
  • Third Muslim Civil War / Third Fitna against Ummayad Caliphate and establishment of Abbasid Caliphate
  • Ottoman Empire Caliphate

    Other Caliphates
  • Fatimid Caliphate (Shi'a)
  • Almohad Caliphate (Berbers, who defeated the Almoravid Dynasty)
  • Dhimmis were rejected
  • Prior to Almohad rule, they had just had a Golden Age in Spain
  • The treatment and persecution of Jews under Almohad rule was a drastic change. Prior to Almohad rule during the Caliphate of Córdoba, Jewish culture experienced a Golden Age. María Rosa Menocal, a specialist in Iberian literature at Yale University, has argued that "tolerance was an inherent aspect of Andalusian society", and that the Jewish dhimmis living under the Caliphate, while allowed fewer rights than Muslims, were still better off than in Christian Europe. Many Jews migrated to al-Andalus, where they were not just tolerated but allowed to practice their faith openly. Christians had also practiced their religion openly in Córdoba, and both Jews and Christians lived openly in Morocco as well.
  • The first Almohad ruler, Abd al-Mumin, allowed an initial seven-month grace period. Then he forced most of the urban dhimmi population in Morocco, both Jewish and Christian, to convert to Islam. In 1198, the Almohad emir Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur decreed that Jews must wear a dark blue garb, with very large sleeves and a grotesquely oversized hat; his son altered the colour to yellow, a change that may have influenced Catholic ordinances some time later. Those who converted had to wear clothing that identified them as Jews since they were not regarded as sincere Muslims. Cases of mass martyrdom of Jews who refused to convert to Islam are recorded. The treatment and persecution of Christians under Almohad rule was a drastic change as well.
  • Many of the conversions were superficial. Maimonides urged Jews to choose the superficial conversion over martyrdom and argued, "Muslims know very well that we do not mean what we say, and that what we say is only to escape the ruler's punishment and to satisfy him with this simple confession."
  • Idris al-Ma'mun, a late Almohad pretender (ruled 1229–1232 in parts of Morocco), renounced much Almohad doctrine, including the identification of Ibn Tumart as the Mahdi, and the denial of dhimmi status. He allowed Jews to practice their religion openly in Marrakesh and even allowed a Christian church there as part of his alliance with Castile. In Iberia, Almohad rule collapsed in the 1200s and was succeeded by several "Taifa" kingdoms, which allowed Jews to practice their religion openly.

Jewish Tribes of Medina

From: https://www.israelandyou.com/jews-in-the-arabia/

Judaism found its place in the Arabian Peninsula by immigration of Jews, which took place mainly during six periods:

  • After the collapse of Kingdom of Judah in 586 BCE.
  • After the Roman conquest of Judea.
  • After the Jewish rebellion in 66 CE, and the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus in 70 CE, exiles found a home in the desert.
  • Survivors of the Bar Kochba Revolt, in 135 CE, who sought religious freedom in the Arabian desert rather than live under the yoke of the Romans.
  • Immigration, around 300 CE, by people who are known in Islamic literature as the Banu Aus and the Banu Khazraj who fled the Ghassanids in Syria.
  • Migration from Judea into southern Arabian Peninsula to ride the ascent of the Himyarite Kingdom around 380 CE. Immigration to the Arabian Peninsula began in earnest in the 2nd century CE, and by the 6th and 7th centuries there was a considerable Jewish population in Hejaz, mostly in and around Medina. This was in part due to the embrace of Judaism by such leaders as Dhu Nuwas.

Jewish Tribes of Medina

  • Banu Alfageer: one of the Jewish tribes of Arabia during Muhammad’s era.
  • Banu Alkahinan: patrilineal descent from the biblical Aaron (also Aharon), brother of Moses.
  • Banu Awf: One of the Jewish tribes of Arabia during Muhammad’s era. The Banu Awf: was an Arab tribe who wished to settle in the Jewish-ruled Tayma. The local people in Tayma insisted as a condition of settling in Tayma, Banu Awf must adopt Judaism. After having done so, they moved on to Yathrib.
  • Banu Aws: They fled Syria under Ghassanid rule, then fled Yathrib (presently known as Medina), and after expulsion by Muhammed, back to Syria.
  • Banu Harith: or Bnei Chorath were rulers of Najran.
  • Banu Nadir: Sub-clan of the al-Kāhinān, located in Yathrib (Medina). One of the three Jewish tribes that had settled in Medina before the rise of Islam in Arabia
  • Banu Najjar: (“sons of the carpenter”) or Banu al-Naggar is the name of several unrelated historical and modern-day tribes throughout the Arab world. The individual tribes vary in religious composition.
  • Banu Qainuqa: Most powerful of all the Jewish tribes of the peninsula before Islam. One of the three Jewish tribes that had settled in Medina before the rise of Islam in Arabia. The great-grandfather of Banu Qaynuqa tribe is Qaynuqa ibn Amchel ibn Munshi ibn Yohanan ibn Benjamin ibn Saron ibn Naphtali ibn Hayy ibn Moses and they are descendant of Manasseh ibn Joseph ibn Jacob ibn Isaac son of Abraham.
  • Banu Quda’a: Himyarite tribe of converts to Sadducee Judaism. A group of Arab tribes with unclear genealogical origins, with traditional Arab genealogists ascribing their descent to Ma’add ( ancient ancestor of the Islamic prophet Muhammad), Himyar Kingdom or both.
  • Banu Qurayza: Sub-clan of the al-Kāhinān, located in Yathrib (Medina), “principal family” fled Syria under Ghassanid rule, then fled Medina, after expulsion by Prophet Muhammed, back to Syria. One of the three Jewish tribes that had settled in Medina before the rise of Islam in Arabia.
  • Banu Sa’ida: A clan of the Banu Khazraj tribe of Medina in the era. Their Jewish allies or clients are mentioned in the Constitution of Medina of Muhammad.
    Banu Shutayba: One of the Jewish tribes of Arabia during Muhammad’s era. They were included in the Constitution of Medina as allies to the Muslims.

Jews in Yemen

Yemenite Jewish traditions have traced the earliest settlement of Jews in this region back to the time of King Solomon. King Solomon sent Jewish merchant marines to Yemen to prospect for gold and silver with which to adorn the Temple in Jerusalem. The average Jewish population of Yemen for the first five centuries CE is said to have been about 3,000. Maimonides, the great rabbi and thinker of the 12th century, leader of Egyptian Jewry, wrote his famous Letter to Yemen. Emigration from Yemen to Palestine – then ruled by the Ottomom Empire – began in 1881 and continued almost without interruption until 1914.

From: Wikipedia

Sanaite

The Sanaite Jews have a tradition that their ancestors settled in Yemen forty-two years before the destruction of the First Temple. According to Jeremiah some 75,000 Jews, including priests and Levites, traveled to Yemen. The Banu Habban in southern Yemen have a tradition that they are the descendants of Judeans who settled in the area before the destruction of the Second Temple. These Judeans supposedly belonged to a brigade dispatched by King Herod to assist the Roman legions fighting in the region.

The Himyarite royal family in exile commanded vast wealth and resources, particularly the Nabatean bedouin with whom they had controlled the market of trade by Land from North-East Africa for centuries.

By the close of the fifth century, the Banu Aus and Banu Khazraj had become masters of Yathrib. During these events, or possibly in coordination with them, Yathrib was host to a noble visitor. In 470 CE, Persian King Firuz was attempting to wipe out the Exilarchate. The Exilarch Huna V, who was the son of Mar-Zutra bar Mar-Zutra, whisked his daughter and some of his entourage to Yathrib (Medina) for safety.

Judaized Arabs and the Himyarite Kingdom

In about 400 CE, Himyarite King tubba Abu Karib As'ad Kamil (385-420 CE), a convert to Judaism, led military expeditions into central Arabia and expanded his empire to encompass most of the Arabian Peninsula. His army had marched north to battle the Aksumites who had been fighting for control of Yemen for a hundred years. The Aksumites were only expelled from the region when the newly-Jewish king rallied Jews together from all over Arabia with pagan allies. The relationship between the Himyarite Kings and the polytheistic Arab tribes strengthened when, under the royal permission of Tubba' Abu Karib As'ad, Qusai ibn Kilab (400–480 CE) reconstructed the Ka'aba from a state of decay, and had the Arab al-Kahinan (Cohanim) build their houses around it. Qusai ibn Kilab was the great-great- grandfather of Shaiba ibn Hashim (Abdul-Mutallib). Shaiba ibn Hashim was fifth in the line of descent to Muhammad, and attained supreme power at Mecca. Qusai ibn Kilab is among the ancestors of Sahaba and the progenitor of the Banu Quraish. When Qusai came of age, a man from the tribe of Banu Khuza'a named Hulail (Hillel) was the trustee of the Kaaba, and the Na'sa (Nasi)—authorized to calculate the calendar. Qusai married his daughter and, according to Hulail's will, obtained Hulail's rights to the Ka'aba. Hulail, according to Arabian tradition was a member of the Banu Jurhum. Banu Jurhum was a sub-group of the Banu Qahtani from whom the Himyarites originally descend.

Around 455 CE, the last Himyarite King is born, Zur'ah Yusuf Ibn Tuban As'ad Abu Kaleb Dhu Nuwas or Dhu Nuwas. He died in 510. His zeal for Judaism brought about his fall. Having heard of the persecutions of Jews by Byzantine emperors, Dhu Nuwas retaliated by putting to death some Byzantine merchants who were traveling on business through Himyara. He didn't simply kill them with hanging—he burned them in large pits—earning him the title "King of the burning pit".

These killings destroyed the trade of Yemen with Europe and involved Dhu Nuwas in a war with the heathen King Aidug, whose commercial interests were injured by these killings. Dhu Nuwas was defeated, then he made war against the Christian city Najran in Yemen, which was a dependency of his kingdom. After its surrender, he offered the citizens the alternative of embracing Judaism, under coercion, or being put to death. As they refused to renounce their faith, he executed their chief, Harith ibn Kaleb, and three hundred and forty chosen men.

Sabaean Kingdom (Arab kingdom of Saba / Biblican Kingdom of Sheba) (1200 BCE–275 CE) > Himyarite Dynasty (110 BC-525 CE) > Aksum/Axum Dynasty (525-578) > Persian Sassanian Empire (224-651) > Rashidun Caliphate of Islam

Immigration to the Arabian Peninsula began in earnest in the 2nd century CE, and by the 6th and 7th centuries there was a considerable Jewish population in Hejaz, mostly in and around Medina. This was in part due to the embrace of Judaism by such leaders as Dhu Nuwas; who was very aggressive about converting his subjects to Judaism. Nuwas persecuted Christians in his kingdom as a reaction to the Christian persecution of Jews by the local Christians and Abu Karib Asad. In 523, the Himyarite king Dhu Nuwas (Dunaan), who had converted to Judaism, massacred the Christians there.

Najran community

There was a small Jewish community, mostly members of Bnei Chorath, in one border city from 1934 until 1950. The city of Najran was liberated by Saudi forces in 1934 after it been conquered by Yemenis in 1933, thus absorbing its Jewish community, which dates to pre-Islamic times. With increased persecution, the Jews of Najran made plans to evacuate. The local governor at the time, Amir Turki ben Mahdi, allowed the 600 Najrani Jews a single day on which to either evacuate or never leave again. Saudi soldiers accompanied them to the Yemeni border. These Jews arrived in Saada, and some 200 continued south to Aden between September and October 1949. The Saudi King Abdulaziz demanded their return, but the Yemeni king, Ahmad bin Yahya refused, because these refugees were Yemenite Jews. After settling in the Hashid Camp (also called Mahane Geula) they were airlifted to Israel as part of the larger Operation Magic Carpet.

Some groups of Najran Jews escaped to Cochin, as they had very good relationship with the rulers of Cochin and maintained trade connections with Paradesi Jews.

According to Yemenite Jewish tradition, the Jews of Najran traced their origin to the Ten Tribes.

  • The Medinese, which consisted of Aws and Khazraj, along with their Jewish allies, Banu Nadir, Banu Qurayza, and Banu Qaynuqa, were involved in degenerating years of warfare such as battle of Sumair, battle of Banu Jahjaha of Aus-Banu Mazin of Khazraj, battle of Sararah day, battle of Banu Wa'il ibn Zayd, battle of Zhufr-Malik, battle of Fari', battle of Hathib, battle of Rabi' day, first battle of Fijar in Yathrib (not Fijar war between Qays with Kinana in Mecca), battle of Ma'is, battle of Mudharras, and second battle of Fijar in Yathrib. The Medinese also even contacted against foreign invaders came from outside Hejaz, including such as Shapur II of Sasanian Empire in relatively vague result, and also in successful defense against Himyarite Kingdom under their sovereign, Tabban Abu Karib, who also known as Dhu al-Adh'ar. However, the most terrible conflict for both Aws and Khazraj were a civil war called the battle of Bu'ath, which leave bitter taste for both clans, and caused them to grew weary of war, due to the exceptionally high level of violence, even by their standards, and the needless massacres that occurred during that battle.

Early history and Jewish control

Medina has been inhabited at least 1500 years before the Hijra, or approximately the 9th century BCE. By the fourth century CE, Arab tribes began to encroach from Yemen, and there were three prominent Jewish tribes that inhabited the city around the time of Muhammad: the Banu Qaynuqa, the Banu Qurayza, and Banu Nadir. Ibn Khordadbeh later reported that during the Persian Empire's domination in Hejaz, the Banu Qurayza served as tax collectors for the Persian Shah.

The situation changed after the arrival of two new Arab tribes, the 'Aws or Banu 'Aws and the Khazraj, also known as the Banu Khazraj. At first, these tribes were allied with the Jewish tribes who ruled the region, but they later revolted and became independent.

Under the 'Aws and Khazraj

Toward the end of the 5th century, the Jewish rulers lost control of the city to the two Arab tribes. The Jewish Encyclopedia states that "by calling in outside assistance and treacherously massacring at a banquet the principal Jews", Banu Aus and Banu Khazraj finally gained the upper hand at Medina.

Most modern historians accept the claim of the Muslim sources that after the revolt, the Jewish tribes became clients of the 'Aws and the Khazraj.

Eventually the Banu 'Aws and the Banu Khazraj became hostile to each other and by the time of Muhammad's Hijrah (emigration) to Medina in 622, they had been fighting for 120 years and were sworn enemies. The Banu Nadir and the Banu Qurayza were allied with the 'Aws, while the Banu Qaynuqa sided with the Khazraj. They fought a total of four wars.

Their last and bloodiest known battle was the Battle of Bu'ath, fought a few years prior to the arrival of Muhammad. The outcome of the battle was inconclusive, and the feud continued.

  • The Jews of Medina were probably Jews expelled from Roman Palestine (more accurate sources in the rough notes above)
  • While at Medina, according to the Quran, the prophet declared a treaty, "The Constitution of Medina"
    • The contract upheld peace between Jews, Christians (other "People of the Book") and Muslims, defining them all, under given conditions, as the "community" of Medina, and granting all of them freedom of religious thought and practice.
    • Rights of Non-Muslims according to the constitution:
      • The security of God is equal for all groups.
      • Non-Muslim members have the same political and cultural rights as Muslims. They have autonomy and freedom of religion.
      • Non-Muslims take up arms against the enemy of the nation and share the cost of war. There is to be no treachery between the two.
      • Non-Muslims are not obliged to take part in the Muslims' religious wars.
  • The Three Jewish tribes in Medina were: Banu Qurayza, Banu Qaynuqa and Banu Al-Nadir
  • The Terms of the Covenant and their Breach of It (Tafseer ibn Katheer on Qur'an 2:84-2:86) [citing the Quran is ok here, since the general argument is that Quran incites violence]
    • Allah criticized the Jews who lived in Al-Madinah (Medina) at the time.
    • They used to suffer, because of the armed conflicts between the tribes Aws and Khazraj
    • Banu Qaynuqa and Banu Al-Nadir were allies of the Khazraj
    • Banu Qurayza used to be the allies of Aws
    • When in war, both tribes would fight for their allies. And during war, they would kill the Arab enemies, and they would also kill Jews who were allies of the other tribe, although the Jews were prohibited from killing each other according to their books.
    • They would also drive each other from their homes and loot all the furniture they could.
    • But at the end of the war, they would release the prisoners of the defeated party, according to the Tawrah.
    • Tawrah said: Do not kill each other, nor expel one another from their homes, nor participate in fighting against them.
    • During the "Battle of Bu'ath", the Jewish tribes would fight among themselves, while the Aws and Khazraj were polytheists who worshipped idols, and did not know about Paradise, the Fire, Resurrection, the Divine Books, the lawful and the prohibited.
    • At the end of the war, they would ransom the prisoners according to the Tawrah, and also ask for blood money.
    • Allah reminded that they ignore the Tawrah when it said you to not kill your members or expel them from their homes, and follow it to implement ransom. By this, they believe one part of the scripture and reject the rest. "You do this all to acquire the life of this world".
    • For this, the 'noble Ayat' criticized the Jews, and said that they must not be trusted to preserve the Torah or to say the truth about the prophet, his coming, his expulsion, etc.
    • On the Day of Resurrection, they will be subject to torment because they defied the book they were given.
  • The Terms of the Covenant and their Breach of It (Tafseer ibn Katheer on Qur'an 2:87-2:86)
    • The Tawrah was revealed to Musa (Moses), but they distorted it's meaning to fulfil their fantasies
    • So Allah sent Isa (Jesus), and sent miracles to support him, but Jews didn't want to differ from a single word
    • This way, they killed or rejected all Prophets
    • This happened because they altered the Tawrah, and the prophets upheld the truths which clashed with their desires
  • 624 AD: Meccans of Banu Quraysh was defeated in the "Battle of Badr"
  • Battle of Uhud soon ensued, in which Mohammed was defeated by the Quraysh. After returning to Medina, the Jewish tribes would make fun of him for the defeat.
  • A dispute broke up between the Muslims and Banu Qaynuqa
    • It is said that a jeweller from Banu Qaynuqa asked a woman to reveal her hair, and he pinned her dress so when she got up, she was stripped naked. A Muslim man killed the jeweller in retaliation.
      • This story has been debated by many people. Nevertheless, this is the story.
      • Some say that Mohammed decided to eliminate Jews after being strengthened by his victory.
    • Prophet Mohammed warned them to be fair, or else, they'll suffer the same fate as Quraysh. He also asked them to follow the true word of god. But Banu Qaynuqa mocked his followers for accepting him as the prophet and mocked their victory claiming Quraysh had no knowledge of war, and if you fight with us, we'll show you who's boss. So this was seen as a declaration of war.
    • The Banu Qaynuqa tribes were defeated and exiled.
  • 625 AD: Banu Nadir tribe was evicted from Medina for trying to assassinate prophet Mohammed.

  • 627 AD: Banu Quraysh (of Mecca) and their allies besieged the city of Medina in the "Battle of Trench". Banu Qurayza initially tried to stay neutral, but they entered into negotiations with the besieging army.

    • They dug trenches to keep the Meccans away, so it's called the Battle of the Trench
    • The Meccans came with the support of the other two exiled Jewish tribes, and sent envoys to gain the support of the Banu Qurayza
    • The Banu Qurayza was hesitant, but when a large Meccan army arrived, they joined in
    • Mohammed tried to make diplomatic efforts to keep Banu Qurayza on their side
    • But by the third week, Banu Qurayza decided to act against Mohammed, although they had demanded hostages from the Meccans to ensure they wouldn't be left to face Mohammed alone
    • But they didn't get any hostages because the Meccans were exhausted, and soon cold and heavy rains set in, and the Meccans marched home to the horror and dismay of Banu Qurayza
    • This betrayal was considered a violation of the "Constitution of Medina".
    • The Muslims commenced a 25-day siege against they Banu Qurayza's fortress. Finally both sides agreed to an arbitration.
    • The chosen judge was a former ally of Banu Qurayza, Sa'd ibn Muadh, who was now a Muslim. Sa'd was wounded in battle and would soon die. Though his fellow chiefs asked him to spare their former allies, he decided to kill all of them as they violated the social order and failed to honour the agreement to protect the town.

    • Although Sa'd judged according to his own views, it was consistent with Deuteronomy 20:12-14 (This was not for Jews however, this was against non-Jews)

    • They were all beheaded (700 men)

    • This wasn't unusual for the normal behaviour in Arabia at the time. The Muslims were at the threat of extinction and wanted to send this as a message to anyone who would try to betray them in the future. It is not sure that both the parties could've behaved in any other way at the time.
    • Mohammed did not confuse the behaviour of the clans with Judaism
      • As per the Quran, the problem was not Judaism, but Mohammed's belief that they modified the Torah: We sent down the Torah, in which there is guidance and light, by which the Prophets who surrendered to God's will provided judgments for the Jewish people. Also, the rabbis and doctors of the Law (did likewise), according to that portion of God's Book with which they were entrusted, and they became witnesses to it as well…. Whoever does not judge by what God has sent down (including the Torah), they are indeed unbelievers. (5:44)

More info

  • The belief is that in 620 AD, Mohammed was invited by the twelve clans of Medina to be a neutral arbitrator for their entire community, because of continuous wars between clans like the "Battle of Bu'ath".
  • They battles proved to them that concepts like an "eye for an eye" doesn't work unless there was one many with authority to judge in such cases. [EDIT: But hey, what about the Sanhedrin?]
  • Usage of the Eye for an Eye concept (law of reciprocal justice)
    • Use in Babylonian "Code of Hammurabi"
    • Use in Exodus 21:23-27, Leviticus 24:19-20, Deuteronomy 19:21
  • The Ayahs were revealed during prayer sessions, with the direction of prayer changing from facing Jerusalem (referred to as al-Masjid al-Aqsa) to the Kaaba (referred to as al-Masjid al-Haram) in Mecca during one such session, when the Ayahs 2:144, 2:149 and 2:150 were revealed.
  • Other Jewish clans who signed the treaty continued to live in peace long after Medina became the capital of Arabia. Some Jewish people converted to Islam, but most people didn't. Theologically, they couldn't accept Mohammed as their messenger, and waited for a prophet to emerge from their own people.
  • The exiled Banu Nadir and Banu Qaynuqa later pledged loyalty to Mohammed.

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