The Pledge of the Ansar and Their First Sacrifices
Before the noble migration of the Prophet ﷺ, the Ansar (Helpers) pledged to protect and support him when he arrived in Medina. They knew this support would cost them the enmity of all the Arabs, that their finest would be killed, and that swords would pierce their bodies.
Yet they prepared for these sacrifices and asked the Messenger of God ﷺ a specific question:
"O Messenger of God, we have ties and agreements with these men—we mean our relationships and covenants with the Arab tribes—and if we sever them, then if God grants you victory, will you return to your people and leave us?"
The Messenger of God ﷺ smiled and replied:
"No. Blood for blood, and destruction for destruction. I am of you, and you are of me. I fight those you fight, and I make peace with those you make peace with."
When the Prophet ﷺ migrated to them, the city of Medina and the hearts of its people shone with his presence. Eight years of momentous events followed, during which the Ansar faced sieges, the enmity of all Arab tribes, and the killing of their finest leaders—as had been foreseen.
The Conquest of Mecca and the Battle of Hunayn
Then the Messenger of God ﷺ conquered Mecca, accompanied by the Muhajirun (Emigrants) and Ansar. The polytheists of the peninsula mobilized and gathered to wage war against the Prophet ﷺ. He marched out to meet them in the Battle of Hunayn, where they nearly annihilated the Muslim army—until the Prophet ﷺ stood firm, and the Ansar rallied around him to fight alongside him, until God granted them victory.
The Messenger of God ﷺ seized the wealth of the polytheists, and the time came to distribute the spoils. He gave immense gifts to the former enemies of yesterday—those from the Quraysh who had accepted Islam and those who remained polytheists—to win over their hearts. He gave to the poor Muhajirun, but he gave nothing to the Ansar!
The Grief of the Ansar and the Devotion of the Chosen One ﷺ
Sadness crept into the hearts of the Ansar. In their pain, they asked:
"Has the Messenger of God not seen our sacrifices? Did he meet his family in Mecca and prefer them over us? Will the Messenger of God remain in Mecca while we return without him, leaving Medina in darkness?"
What did the Prophet ﷺ do when he learned of their grief and reproach? What were the profound words he spoke that made their beards wet with tears, only for them to turn away joyful, no longer concerned with the spoils or the worldly gains others had received?
We have shared with you this great and moving moment, which holds the answers to these questions, in an episode titled "The Most Beautiful Stories of Loyalty" from the podcast "How I Came to Love the Messenger of God ﷺ." The link to the episode is in the bio or comments—watch it. Peace.