Ansar (Arabic: aiders, helpers or patrons) refer to the Muslim inhabitants of Medina, who welcomed the prophet Muhammad and the other Meccan Muslims when they migrated to Medina from Mecca. They were the most important elements in the early Islamic campaigns against both the sassanid and Byzantine Empires.
Known for their piety and courage, some famous Ansars are Mua'az bin Jabal and Sa'ad bin Ubaadah, Sa'ad's great great grandchildren were the Nasrids kings of Granada in Spain from the 13th century to the 15th century.
A number of subsequent organizations have been known as Ansar:
