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011_PreIslamic_Conditions_in_Yathrib, page : 2
Pre-Islamic Conditions in Yathrib
The Jews had migrated to Al-Hijaz from Syria to escape the persecution of the
Byzantines and Assyrians many years before the advent of Islam. From their scriptures
they were also well aware that it was in the region of the Hijaz that the expect prophet
would come and each tribe hoped he would arise from their own, but time had passed
and now they had, for the most part, become secular, although pride in their ethnic
background was still greatly valued. However, some had intermarried with the Arabs but
they continued to look down on their Arab neighbors perceiving them to be illiterate and
backward idolaters. However, over the passage of time, the Jewish tribes dispersed and
their numbers dwindled, leaving behind them a fragment of people. Secularism was
common among those who remained although a religious minority still existed. The Jews
were also well known for their skilful business transactions through which they had
amassed great wealth.
After the devastating flood in Yemen when the dam of Al Arim burst, the Arab Yemeni
tribe of Bani Kahlan left their homeland to settle in Yathrib. The Bani Kahlan divided
themselves into two tribes named after two brothers -- Aws and Khazraj both of whom
were the sons of Tha’labah -- and over time their population grew and surpassed both
The Jews had migrated to Al-Hijaz from Syria to escape the persecution of the
Byzantines and Assyrians many years before the advent of Islam. From their scriptures
they were also well aware that it was in the region of the Hijaz that the expect prophet
would come and each tribe hoped he would arise from their own, but time had passed
and now they had, for the most part, become secular, although pride in their ethnic
background was still greatly valued. However, some had intermarried with the Arabs but
they continued to look down on their Arab neighbors perceiving them to be illiterate and
backward idolaters. However, over the passage of time, the Jewish tribes dispersed and
their numbers dwindled, leaving behind them a fragment of people. Secularism was
common among those who remained although a religious minority still existed. The Jews
were also well known for their skilful business transactions through which they had
amassed great wealth.
After the devastating flood in Yemen when the dam of Al Arim burst, the Arab Yemeni
tribe of Bani Kahlan left their homeland to settle in Yathrib. The Bani Kahlan divided
themselves into two tribes named after two brothers -- Aws and Khazraj both of whom
were the sons of Tha’labah -- and over time their population grew and surpassed both