The Ansar

The Helpers

Where does one begin with the Ansar? These blessed individuals, the first people to establish a Muslim community in Arabia, welcomed the Prophet ﷺ, stood by him and shared their wealth, homes, time, efforts and lives with the early migrating Muslims. The name 'Ansar' means Helpers, and that's exactly who they were - helpers and friends

The Ansar are praised, by name, in the Quran:

"Allah has certainly turned in mercy to the Prophet as well as the Emigrants and the Helpers (Ansar) who stood by him in the time of hardship, after the hearts of a group of them had almost faltered. He then accepted their repentance. Surely He is Ever Gracious and Most Merciful to them." (Trans. Dr Mustafa Khattab)

Here, the Ansar are told that Allah has turned towards them with mercy and given them glad tidings of forgiveness. How incredible that they are mentioned, by name, in the Quran, in such an incredible way. Additionally, the Prophet ﷺ praised the Ansar on many occasions. He told them that if everyone were to take one path and the Ansar to take another, he would take the path of the Ansar. He ﷺ also cautioned us to love and look after the Ansar.

The First Community

They were the first community to accept the Prophet ﷺ, welcome the persecuted Muslims from Mecca (the Muhajirun) and happily share their wealth, homes and lives with the Muslim immigrants. In fact, the Prophet ﷺ made a brotherhood pact between each Ansari and Muhajiri, asking each Ansar to house their brother, share everything with them and help establish them in their new land. And the Ansar willingly and lovingly obliged, for the sake of Allah.

A Sign of Faith

The Prophet ﷺ has said that a sign of faith is love for the Ansar and a sign of hypocrisy is hatred of them (may Allah protect us all). It is no wonder that we must love them, for all that they have done to help establish, strengthen and support the Prophet ﷺ and Islam. We ask Allah to increase our love, respect and admiration of them. We pray that our hearts are filled with admiration for them and a longing to be with them. Just as the Prophet ﷺ chose the Ansar as his first community, we too choose them as our friends, role models and beloved. May Allah gather us with them on the Day of Judgement in the company of the most beloved of all creation, peace be upon him.

Some noteable Ansari companions (short biographies coming soon inshaAllah):

Sad Ibn Ubada

Anas Ibn Malik and his mother, Um Sulaym

Abu Ayub Al Ansari

Ubay Ibn Kab

Abu Dujana

Abu Darda

Nusayba Bint Kab

Hassan Ibn Thabit

Zayd Ibn Arqam

Sahl Ibn Sad

Ubayda Ibn Samit

Sad Ibn Rabi

Abdullah Ibn Rawaha

May Allah be pleased with them all.