ansar

Ansar (Anṣār, "the helpers") is a term in Islamic history used for the inhabitants of Medina who aided the Prophet Muhammad and the Muhajirs, the emigrants from Mecca, when they settled there in 622 CE. The Ansar were primarily drawn from the two major tribes of Medina, the Banu Aus and Banu Khazraj, who had previously been rivals but embraced Islam and became early supporters of the Muslim community.

A key moment of their role occurred in the pledges at Aqaba. In the first pledge, about 12 men from Aus and Khazraj promised Muhammad loyalty and assistance. A larger second pledge, involving roughly 70 men, confirmed their commitment to defend the Prophet and the Muslim community. The Ansar hosted the Muhajirs and shared their resources, helping to establish the new community in Medina. The Constitution of Medina, or Sahifa, is traditionally described as a charter that defined the rights and duties of Muslims and other groups within the city, including the Jews, and laid out alliances and obligations under Muhammad’s leadership.

In the life of the Prophet, the Ansar played a central role in governing and defending the early Muslim state, contributing both military support and social welfare. After Muhammad’s death, the internal dynamics of leadership in the Muslim community led to the appointment of the caliphs by the Quraysh, notably starting with Abu Bakr, but the Ansar continued to be influential voices in Medina and in subsequent Islamic history.

The term Anṣār is also used more broadly in Islamic literature to denote Muslim supporters or helpers in various contexts. It is not a separate sect or lineage, but a historical designation for those who aided Muhammad and his companions in Medina.