Light of the sun of Risalah in Madinah

The old name of Madinah was ‘Yasrib’. When he صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم resided in it, it was named ‘Madina-tun-Nabi (i.e. the city of the Nabi)’. Historically, it is an ancient city. When he صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم made the declaration of Nubuwwah, two Arab tribes, namely the Aws and the Khazraj and some Jews used to live there. Like the disbelievers of Makkah, the Aws and the Khazraj were also idol-worshippers, whereas Jews were the ‘people of the book’. Previously, the Aws and the Khazraj used to live together in greater unity but gradually battles began between them, something common among the Arabs. The last battle, historically known as ‘The Battle of Bu’aas [بُعَاس] was so fierce and intense that almost all the brave and famous men of these tribes lost their lives, causing them to become weak. Although the Jews were in a very small number, they were educated and hence were always dominant over the Aws and the Khazraj.

After the Aws and the Khazraj embraced Islam, all of their old differences were removed by virtue of the guidance and sacred teachings of the Holy Nabi صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم . Both of these tribes started living together in unity once again. As they supported Islam very much and assisted Muslims in every possible way, spending their wealth as well as time, they were given the title of ‘Ansaar’¹ by the Greatest and Noblest Nabi صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم . The Holy Quran also praised these fortunate and faithful supporters of Islam at several places for their selfless and sincere help to the Rasool and Muslims. By Shari’ah, it is essential for the entire Muslim Ummah to have affection and reverence for the Ansaar. (رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُم اَجْمَعِیْن ).