Genealogy and politics: Muhammad's family links with the khazraj

There is rich genealogical evidence about the tribes of Mecca and Medina (Yathrib) around the time of the prophet Muhammad. The evidence regarding Muhammad's family links with the Khazraj is of special interest due to the major role played by the Khazraj in Muhammad's military and political success. The article focuses on three women: 1. The mother of Muhammad's great-uncles Sayfi and Abu Sayfi who is said to have been a freeborn woman from the Khazraj (but was probably a slave girl); 2. Muhammad's great-grandmother Salm who gave birth to his grandfather 'Abd al-Muttalib. She belonged to the Khazraj branch called Najjr; 3. Muhammad's wife Sawda whose mother was Salm?'s niece. It is argued here that he married her shortly before the hijra. It was a politically-motivated marriage aimed at reinforcing his bond with the Najjr and with the Khazraj in general.