The long string of battles between Al-Aous and
Al-Khazraj began with the Battle of Sumeer and ended with the Battle
of Bu'ath, five years before the Hijrah. Between these two battles
more than ten conflagrations were incurred, by the two Arab tribes.
This was a period of influence for the Jews and they strived in
interference and kindling the enmity that arose between their two
neighbors. The most important of the battles are as follows: Battle
of Sumeer, Battle of Haatab, Battle of Jahjiya, Battle of Siraarah,
Battle of Hussain bin Al-Asalat, Battle of Faaria' Yaum Al-Rabe'a,
the First and Second Battles of Fijar, and the Battle of Mu'ees and
Maduris. The last of them, the Battle of Bu'ath, was the most
intense. To the Jews this was a major period of inflammation. The
Al-Aous and Al-Khazraj prepared for this battle for more than two
months, for they were filled with spite and rage. An alliance was
formed between Al-Aous and Banu Quraithah and Banu Nadeer, while Al-Khazraj
allied themselves with another Arab tribe who supported them,
Mazainah. One man, 'Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salool, dissented however.
They assembled at the edge of the area called
Bu'ath, where an intense battle raged. Al-Aous and their
confederation were weakened considerably, with many of them felled
in battle. They started to retreat, but their leader, Hudair Al-Kita'ib,
made them stand their ground. They fought bravely and vanquished Al-Khazraj
and their allies.
Lastly and most significantly, one of Al-Aous
called out, "O people of Al-Aous, retreat and don't jeapordise
your brothers, your safety is preferable to the guarantee of the
fox". He meant the scheming of the Jews. After that battle,
they wearied of war and detested the unrest, so they unanimously
agreed and made 'Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salool their leader, who
stabilised and guaranteed an end to the turmoil and disorder caused
by the Jews. It was the Will of Allah that made them pledge their
loyalty to Islam at Al-'Aqaba, in Makkah, and followed it by a
second pledge of fealty at Al-'Aqaba, in the following year. Those
who participated were the designated of the two tribes, who had so
violently struggled with each other, but were now stabilised. By the
Prophet and Messenger of Allah, Mohammed (Peace be upon him), they
pledged to extinguish all war between themselves for the new
religion, Al-Islam.
When the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him)
emigrated to Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, the enmity between the two
tribes was finished and they were united as one people, Muslims, and
carried the name Al-Ansaar (the Helpers). They started a new page in
the glorious history of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah.
