Giants
The Amalekites, known in Arabic, are ancient tribes that have since become extinct. The name suggests its large stature, and some historical accounts mixed with legends have exaggerated its size. Stories such as a she-wolf and her cubs being found inside the eye socket of a dead Amalekite, who claim to have lived for four hundred years without anyone dying, are examples of such exaggerations.
Regardless of these exaggerations, the term “Amalek” in Arabic refers to ancient tribes with supposedly large physiques. Some modern historians suggest that the population of the Arabian Peninsula was generally taller until about 1600 BC. Some descendants of these tribes may have retained the name, even if they did not possess the same physical characteristics as their ancestors.
It is believed that the Giants are descendants of Amalek, the grandson of Noah, who settled in the Tigris and Euphrates region. They migrated to the Arabian Peninsula, and settled in various regions, including Najd, the Empty Quarter, Hadramaut, Dhofar, Yemen, and parts of the Levant. Some even became pharaohs in Egypt, and the Torah mentions them in connection with the Children of Israel during their exodus from Egypt.
In Yathrib (later known as Medina), the Amalekites established a successful agricultural community. They worked in agriculture, herding, and trade, which contributed to the prosperity of the region. Over time, they built forts (atam) to protect themselves from potential threats.
As new tribes migrated to Yathrib, such as the Aws and Khazraj, the Giants welcomed them to share in the benefits of their prosperity. This mixing of different tribes led to a gradual decline in the distinction of the Amalekites. By the time of Islam's arrival in Yathrib, only a few individuals of Amalekite heritage were reported to have distinguished themselves in long standing.
Aws and Khazraj
Historians agree that the Aws and Khazraj are two Qahtan tribes that came from the Kingdom of Sheba in Yemen due to the collapse of the Ma’rib Dam. When they arrived in Yathrib (later known as Medina), they were amazed by its fertile land and abundant springs. The local population, especially the Jews, needed additional labor to cultivate the land, so they allowed the Aws and Khazraj to settle in the neighboring area, between Harrat al-Sharqiya and Quba.
At first their working conditions were harsh, but over time their conditions improved. As they flourished, tensions with the Jews increased, leading to a covenant and treaty committing both parties to peace, coexistence, and mutual defense against external threats. The covenant lasted for a while until the Jews broke it, which led to conflict, killing, and humiliation of the Aws and Khazraj.
Malik ibn al-Ajlan sought help from his Ghassanid relatives in Syria, who responded by sending an army to break Jewish domination. This intervention allowed the Aws and Khazraj to regain their power and restore balance. During this period, they expanded beyond their initial borders, building houses and forts and settling in various locations around Yathrib.
The Jews developed a new plan to regain control, and sowed discord between the Aws and the Khazraj by exploiting existing alliances and provoking conflicts. This led to a series of wars that spanned nearly 120 years, the most prominent of which were prominent battles such as the wars of Samir and Banu Qaynuqa and the Battle of Buath.
The conflicts continued until the arrival of Islam in Yathrib, which put an end to the long-standing hostilities. The Muslims, led by the Prophet Muhammad, unified the Aws and Khazraj, leading to a period of peace and prosperity within the Islamic community.
Battles between the Aws and the Khazraj
It began with the Battle of Samir and ended with the Battle of Baath, five years before the Hijra. Between these two battles, more than ten wars broke out, and the Jews played a role in fueling and escalating the conflicts. Among the important battles and events are the wars of Samir, Bani Qaynuqa, the Battle of Juhayba, the Battle of Al-Suwaiq, the Battle of Al-Hussein bin Aseel, the Battle of Farea, the Battle of Rabi’, and Al-Fajr I and II. Wars, the Battle of Al-Mabas, and the Battle of Mudar.
The last and most intense of these battles was the Battle of Buath. The Aws and Khazraj prepared for it over a period of two months due to accumulated hostilities. The Aws allied with the Banu Qurayza and the Banu Nadir, while the Khazraj allied with the Banu Qaynuqa, the Banu Nadir and others. The confrontation took place in an area called Baath, where fierce fighting took place.
During the battle, the Aws initially faced difficulties, with many of their allies retreating. However, their leader, Hudayr al-Katib, stood firm and fought bravely, defeating the Khazraj and their allies in the end. Despite their initial success, they intended to completely wipe out their opponents. At this crucial moment, an Aws man called on them to withdraw, stressing the importance of preserving the unity of their brothers, and likened the situation to being better than the proximity of foxes, in reference to the deceitful Jews.
After this incident, people were tired of war and strife. They collectively agreed to crown Abdullah bin Abi bin Salul as their leader to bring peace and end the strife. The events led to the launch of the first and second Pledge of Aqaba in Mecca, where members of the warring tribes participated. This marked the beginning of reconciliation and unity under the banner of Islam. In addition, it should be noted that during the era of the Prophet Muhammad, a Jew tried to stir up strife between the Aws and the Khazraj, but the Prophet intervened and urged them to abandon ignorance and stop the fighting.
Thus, the two tribes lived under Islam in prosperity, harmony and unity.