Muhammad in Medina

The period when Muhammad in Medina started with the Migration to Medina in 622 and ended with the Conquest of Mecca in 630.

History

622

During the first year, Muhammad drew the Constitution of Medina, a treaty that concerns the rights and responsibilities of the Muslim, Jewish, and other Arab and tribal communities of Medina during the war between that city and its neighbours.

624

Battle of Badr

The Battle of Badr fought March 17, 624 CE in the Hejaz of western Arabia (present-day Saudi Arabia), was a key battle in the early days of Islam and a turning point in Muhammad's struggle with the Meccan Quraish. The battle has been passed down in Islamic history as a decisive victory attributable to divine intervention or the genius of Muhammad.

Banu Qaynuqa

The Banu Qaynuqa were a Jewish tribe of pre-Islamic Arabia. They were among the first Jews that settled at Medina, and the most powerful of all the Jewish tribes of the peninsula before Islam. They formed a gild of goldsmiths. They had also a marketplace, known under the name "Market of the Banu Qaynuqa," which was the general marketplace of the city before Muhammad laid out the great marketplace. Besides this they possessed two strong castles in the north of Medina. After Muhammad had come to Medina, he endeavored to win all the Jews over to Islam. Failing in his efforts, he assumed a more threatening attitude and first declared war on the Banu Qaynuqa. They retired to their fortresses, but after a siege which lasted fifteen days, they surrendered. Mohammed put them in chains, and wished to have all the men executed. He was, however, persuaded to spare them on condition that they quitted the town, leaving their goods and chattels in the hands of the conquerors. Subsequently they settled in Adra'at and Qadi al-Qura in the north.

625

Battle of Uhud

The Battle of Uhud was fought on 23 March, 625, between a small Muslim force and a force from Mecca. Uhud is near Medina. The Muslims had the worst of the encounter and retired after having lost some seventy-five men. However, the Meccans did not pursue the Muslims into Medina, but marched back to Mecca.

The encounter is generally regarded as a victory for the Meccans and a serious setback for the Muslims. Watt, in his 1956 account of the battle, disagrees; he concludes that while the Muslims did not win, the Meccans themselves had suffered some losses and did not feel strong enough to attack the Muslims in their stronghold. Since the Meccans had embarked on the venture with an eye to subduing the Muslims entirely, their mission had actually failed .

Banu Nadir

The Banu Nadir were one of the three main Jewish tribes living in Medina. Following some event, Muhammad expelled Banu Nadir from the city in 625 and confiscating their land. The tribe moved to the oasis of Khabar where they would conflict in in 628

626

Attack on Dumat al-Jandal: Syria

627

Battle of the Trench

The Battle of the Trench was an attack by the city of Mecca on the city Medina in 627. The name "Battle of the Trench" comes from the fact that the Muslims dug a trench north of Medina to protect the city (Medina was naturally fortified on all other fronts). Although Mecca fielded a larger army it was not unable to overcome the defenses.

Banu Qurayza

The Banu Qurayza were a Jewish tribe who lived in Medina. The bulk of the tribe's men, apart from a few who converted to Islam, were killed in 627 CE, following a siege mounted by Muslim inhabitants of Medina and immigrants from Mecca. The Muslims claimed that the Banu Qurayza had agreed to aid their Meccan enemies in their attack on Medina, which the Muslims had just repulsed in the Battle of the Trench.

Bani Kalb

Bani Kalb subjugation: Dumat al-Jandal

628

Hudaybiyyah

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was signed in 628. In 628 C.E. a group of 1,600 Muslims marched towards Mecca, in an attempt to perform the pilgrimage.

"Then he [Muhammad] marched till he reached al-Hudaybiyya which lies at the limit of the Haram [sacred territory of Mecca] area at a distance of nine miles from Mecca."

The group was prepared with sacrificial animals, as they hoped that the Quraish would honour the Arabian custom of allowing unarmed pilgrims to enter the city. The Quraish, however, intercepted the Muslim party, well outside Mecca. By this time all of Arabia was aware of the military strength of the Muslims. Muhammad, the leader of the Muslims, was also desperate to avoid bloodshed in or near the holiest city of Islam. Therefore the two parties decided to resolve the matter through diplomacy, rather than warfare.

"Today whatever condition Quraysh make in which they ask me to show kindness to kindred I shall agree to".

Kaaba

Gains access to Mecca shrine Kaaba

Khaybar

The Battle of Khaybar between Muhammad and the Jews of Khaybar (an oasis near Medina) resulted in the defeated of the later. The Banu Nadir had moved here three years earlier, and this time most of their male members where killed. Their wives and property became spoils of war for the Muslims. Muhammad took a share of the spoils, and took Safiyya bint Huyayy, the widow of the tribe's slain treasurer as his wife.

629

First hajj pilgrimage

Attack on Byzantine empire fails: Battle of Mu'tah

630

Conquest of Mecca