The Ansar (ra): A Legacy the People of Military Power and Protection (أهل القوة والمنعة Ahl ul Quwwah Wal Man’ah) Today Must Not Forget

From Palestine to Kashmir and many other regions across the world, Muslims continue to endure war, displacement, oppression, and uncertainty. The suffering of innocent lives reminds us that the Ummah repeatedly faces moments that demand resilience, unity, and a shield to protect them. It is the shield that we do not have right now, and for the shield to return we need the Ansar. At this time, it becomes important to revisit the lives of those whom Allah (swt) honored for standing by His Deen when it needed them: the Ansar. They were the people of power and prevention who granted nussrah (military support) for the establishment of Islam.

The Ansar were from the tribes of the Aws and Khazraj, who lived in the city of Yathrib. The first 12 became Muslim and gave the Prophet (saw) the bay‘at al-nisaa, the First Pledge of Aqaba in the 12th year of Prophethood. The Second Pledge of al-Aqaba was known as the bay’at al-harb and was given a year later by over 70 Muslims, including two women. It was this Pledge where these Muslims promised to support the Prophet (saw) in establishing the first Islamic State in Yathrib which became known as Madinah.

The Qur'an places the Ansar among the most honoured believers, describing them as part of the first generation whose faith and sacrifice earned the pleasure of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) says,

[وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنْصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ]

“And the foremost to embrace Islâm of the Muhâjirûn (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansâr (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhâjirûn) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allâh is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success.” [TMQ Surah at Tawbah 9:100]

The Ansar were not remembered just for offering hospitality, they provided Nussrah; support, protection, and an unwavering commitment to Rasulullah (saw) and the Muslims at one of the most difficult moments in Islamic history. The status of the Ansar was so great that Rasulullah (saw) directly connected love for them with the state of one’s Iman, «آيَةُ الإِيمَانِ حُبُّ الأَنْصَارِ، وَآيَةُ النِّفَاقِ بُغْضُ الأَنْصَارِ» “Love for the Ansar is a sign of faith and hatred for the Ansar is a sign of hypocrisy.” (Bukhari; Muslim)

In another narration, he (saw) said, «لا يُحِبُّهُمْ إِلا مُؤْمِنٌ، وَلا يَبْغَضُهُمْ إِلا مُنَافِقٌ، مَنْ أَحَبَّهُمْ فَأَحَبَّهُ اللَّهُ، وَمَنْ أَبْغَضَهُمْ فَأَبْغَضَهُ اللَّهُ» “None but the believer loves them, none but the hypocrite hates them. He who loved them loved Allah and he who hated them hated Allah.” (Tirmidhi)

These narrations, amongst others, leave no room for speaking ill of the Ansar or underestimating their contribution.

For today’s generation of people of power and protection, the legacy of the Ansar is not merely people in a chapter of Islamic history that we admire. They are also an example of the Shariah ruling that applies upon the armed forces of the Muslims today. The honor of the Ansar (ra) did not come from lineage, wealth, or position, but from the military support they gave to Messenger of Allah (saw) and Islam, to fulfil a great Islamic obligation. It is for this reason that the Qur'an and the Sunnah speak so highly of them, and why Muslims are encouraged to know their virtues and never speak ill of them.
"So where are the Ansar of today?!"

There is a great opportunity for the people of military power and protection (أهل القوة والمنعة ahl ul quwwah wal man’ah) to fulfil their Islamic obligation to emulate the Ansar and to give their support to the re-establishment of the Khilafah (Caliphate) State. There are blessings and congratulations for those who will be chosen by Allah to give this support while the opportunity is here.

Those armies who must give nussrah must understand that the Islamic State was established only once in the past, and then it was abolished in 1924 by Britain through its agent Mustafa Kemal. Since then, the Islamic Ummah is living her life without the shade of the Islamic State, and our shield the Khaleefah (caliph). Therefore, those who will fulfil their responsibility to establish the Islamic ruling governance again, will enjoy the same honor of those who first provided nussrah to the Prophet (saw). If pleasing Allah (swt) is your goal in life, O officers of the armies, this should not be a difficult decision.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Noor Haider