When the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) entered Yathrib, a city henceforth to be called **Madinah** (The City), he faced numerous immediate challenges. The city was fractured by two large, feuding Arab tribes, the **Auws** and **Khazraj**, whose conflict was often manipulated by three smaller Jewish tribes residing on the outskirts.

The Birth of the Muslim Community

The Arab tribes, who were predominantly pagan, began converting to the new faith at a rapid pace. The Muslim community was now composed of two large groups:

• **The “Anṣār” (The Helpers):** The native Arabs of Madinah who converted to Islam, drawn from both the Auws and Khazraj tribes.
• **The “Muhājirūn” (The Immigrants):** The poor Muslims who had been forced to migrate from Makkah.

Muhammad (pbuh) arrived as a spiritual leader and quickly established himself as a civic leader. His first task was to build a prayer hall, or **Mosque** (Masjid), which would serve as the central hub of the new society.

The Constitution of Madinah

With the support of all communities, the Prophet (pbuh) arranged for the drafting of a **constitution**—often considered the first in human history—that formally spelled out the rights and duties of each segment of society. Accepted by both the Arab and Jewish tribes, Muhammad’s (pbuh) influence brought immediate peace to a city perpetually prone to civil war.

New Opposition: Jews and Hypocrites

While the peace was welcome, new forms of opposition arose. Initially, most of the Jews adopted a **”wait-and-see”** attitude toward Muhammad’s (pbuh) claim to prophethood, assuming he would eventually align with their established religious traditions. However, their curiosity turned to skepticism and then open hostility when Muhammad (pbuh) began to teach that God’s favor was open to all, and that the Jews were not faithfully holding to their divine trust.

Worse still, a large number of Arab converts only pretended to accept Islam, hoping to align themselves with the latest trend. Their chief was **‘Abdullah ibn Ubayy**, a man whose ambition to be Madinah’s first king was thwarted by the Prophet’s arrival. He and his followers became known as the **Hypocrites ($\text{Munāfiqūn}$)**. Their activity consisted of conspiring in secret, undermining the confidence of sincere believers, and sowing discord and doubt, fueled by the belief that Muhammad (pbuh) and his followers were merely a passing fad.

A large number of verses in the Qur’an speak directly about the behavior of both the Jews and the Hypocrites, as well as the importance of sincere believers from all backgrounds acting as **brothers toward each other**, irrespective of tribal affiliations.

The Prophet’s Personal Life and Marriages

Following the immense sorrow of losing his beloved wife Khadijah, Muhammad (pbuh) began to marry women to solidify necessary **political relationships** and also to support older widows whose husbands had passed away (often in battle). This process continued throughout his ministry, and his wives became known as the **Mothers of the Believers**—a title reflective of their role as teachers and resources on Islam for the broader community.

From $\text{‘Ā’ishah}$, the daughter of his close companion Abu Bakr, to the Jewish lady $\text{Ṣafiyyah}$, Muhammad’s (pbuh) wives were paragons of virtue. They are responsible for a great deal of the traditional knowledge ($\text{Ḥadīth}$) we have of his private life, his character, and the practical application of Islam.