Ansar
/ˈæn.sɑːr/noun
The Medinan supporters who welcomed and aided Muhammad and his followers after the migration to Medina.
Did you know?In early Islamic history, the Ansar of Medina are paired with the Muhajirun, the emigrants who fled Mecca with Muhammad.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*n-ṣ-r
“A reconstructed root associated with helping, supporting, or granting victory.”
Pre-Islamic Arabic
Arabic
naṣara
“To help, support, or give victory.”
7th Century
Classical Arabic
anṣār
“Helpers or supporters; the plural of nāṣir.”
622 CE
Arabic
al-Anṣār
“The Medinan believers who aided Muhammad and the emigrants after the Hijra.”
Modern English
English
Ansar
“A historical term for Muhammad’s Medinan supporters, also used in names of modern political or militant organizations.”