Changes

At Medina, the new Muslims immediately adopted an aggressive stance, seeking to coexist with the [[Jews]] living in Medina on ''his'' terms. However, the encounter ended badly with Muhammad dividing and conquering the Jewish groups in Medina; ordering the massacre of the [[Qurayza]] [[Jewish]] tribe, as they refused to change their beliefs to be under his submission. This was after (possibly) fabricating a cause to break what is called by modern historians the [[Compact of Medina]].<ref>Berkey, ''The Formation of Islam''</ref>

At Medina, the new Muslims immediately adopted an aggressive stance, seeking to coexist with the [[Jews]] living in Medina on ''his'' terms. However, the encounter ended badly with Muhammad dividing and conquering the Jewish groups in Medina; ordering the massacre of the [[Qurayza]] [[Jewish]] tribe, as they refused to change their beliefs to be under his submission. This was after (possibly) fabricating a cause to break what is called by modern historians the [[Compact of Medina]].<ref>Berkey, ''The Formation of Islam''</ref>

The tribes around the Muslims began to convert to Islam out of self-preservation. Those that didn’t were gradually defeated in battle in a pattern that became the blueprint for the successful establishment of Islam as a world religion. Typically, the enemy’s trust would be gained by non-intrusive measures in which the Muslims would insert themselves into the foreign community while professing their respect for local traditions and political structures. As they began to gain power, however, they would divide loyalties and exercise violence to acquire local hegemony.

The tribes around the Muslims began to convert to Islam out of self-preservation. Those that didn’t were gradually defeated in battle in a pattern that became the blueprint for the successful establishment of Islam as a world religion. Typically, the enemy’s trust would be gained by non-intrusive measures in which the Muslims would insert themselves into the foreign community while professing their respect for local traditions and political structures. As they began to gain power, however, they would divide loyalties and exercise violence to acquire local hegemony. (As parallels the work of many Christian Missionaries throughout the developing nations.)

This is demonstrated most plainly by the brutal conquest of the people of Khaybar, a farming community near Medina that was made up of several Jewish tribes.  Among them was the Banu Nadir tribe, which had fled to Khaybar from their original home in Medina after allying themselves with Muhammed's opponents.  Muhammad, convinced that the Banu Nadir were still plotting against him, marched against Khaybar, taking the town by surprise and easily defeating it. He then had the men of the Banu Nadir killed, and enslaved the women and children.  The rest of the inhabitants of Khaybar were forced to pay tribute.

This is demonstrated most plainly by the brutal conquest of the people of Khaybar, a farming community near Medina that was made up of several Jewish tribes.  Among them was the Banu Nadir tribe, which had fled to Khaybar from their original home in Medina after allying themselves with Muhammed's opponents.  Muhammad, convinced that the Banu Nadir were still plotting against him, marched against Khaybar, taking the town by surprise and easily defeating it. He then had the men of the Banu Nadir killed, and enslaved the women and children.  The rest of the inhabitants of Khaybar were forced to pay tribute.