This war broke out when the prophet was twenty years of age. It was so called because these two tribes, Kinana and Qays 'Aylan, violated inviolable matters between them.

The chief of Quraysh and Kinana was Harb b. Umayya b. 'Abdu Shams. At the beginning of the day Qays got the upper hand but by midday victory went to Kinana.