...Yathrib, inhabited by three Jewish clans as well as several pagan Arab tribes.

The Jews had settled among the original Arabs, developed agriculture there, and control the best lands.

Later Arab immigrants belonging to the tribes of al-Aws and al-Khazraj are, however, in a stronger position.

The effective units among the Arabs are eight or more clans, but nearly all of these had become involved in serious feuds.

Much blood had been shed in the Battle of Bu'ath, fought in 617 between Banu Aus and Banu Khazraj, the Arab tribes of Yathrib in the south-eastern quarter of the oasis, belonging to the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza.

The Aws are supported by the Jewish tribes of Banu Nadir and Banu Qurayza, and by the Arab Bedouins of the Muzayna tribe; the leader of the alliance was Hudayr ibn Simak.

The opposing force, led by Amr ibn al-Numan, consisted of the majority of the Khazraj tribe and the Bedouin tribes of Juhayna and Ashja.

The Awsite clan of Haritha and the Khazrajite chief Abdullah ibn Ubayy remained neutral.

In the course of the battle, the Aws and their allies initially had to retreat, but then they counterattacked and defeated the Khazraj; both leaders of the opposing forces were killed.

Despite the victory of the Aws, the outcome of the battle was an uneasy truce rather than a definite settlement.

Ttwelve men of Yathrib, visiting Mecca in the summer of 621 for the annual pilgrimage to the Ka'bah (at this time a pagan shrine), secretly declare themselves Muslims to Muhammad, the founder of the religion of Islam and of the Muslim community, and return to make propaganda for him at home.

In inviting Muhammad to Yathrib, many of the Arabs there probably hope that he will act as an arbiter among the opposing parties.

Possibly, their contact with the Jews has prepared them for a messianic religious leader, who will deliver them from oppression and erect a just kingdom.