Banu Qaynuqa Market

The Banu Qaynuqa Market was located in the southwest of Medina, around the region of Wadi Buthan, which was the homeland of the Banu Qaynuqa tribe. This tribe, which made its living through jewelry and weapon manufacturing, had one of the most vibrant trading points in Medina. After the Prophet Muhammad migrated to Medina, he personally visited the existing markets. The Banu Qaynuqa Market was one of the stops on this tour. The Messenger of Allah indicated that this market was not in accordance with Islamic trade principles; because there were practices of usury, false weights, and discriminatory applications against Muslims. Following this, the Prophet Muhammad established a new market specifically for Muslims by setting up a large tent in Baqi' al-Zubayr — a location close to the Banu Qaynuqa Market. The Jewish leader Ka'b ibn Ashraf attempted to sabotage this tent by cutting its ropes; however, the Prophet Muhammad resolutely made the new market permanent in the Banu Sa'ida area. The Banu Qaynuqa Market came under Muslim control after the expulsion of the tribe from Medina in the 2nd year of Hijra (624). This development was one of the most concrete steps towards freeing the Medina economy from Jewish dominance and making it a center of Muslim entrepreneurship. The void left by the expelled Banu Qaynuqa, due to their violation of the Constitution of Medina, was filled by Muslim merchants and artisans. [Source: TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, "Kaynuka' (Banu Qaynuqa)" article, islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/kaynuka-beni-kaynuka; TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, "Market" article, islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/pazar]