Beginning of Islam among the AnsarThe Prophet (r) met some of the people from the town of Yathrib (Madinah) belonging to
the trbe Khazraj at ‘Aqabah when he went to preach Islam to the tribes throughout the
tenure of pilgrimage. He told them about Islam and called on them to serve God alone,
reciting some Qur’anic verses in the process. As these people lived in Yathrib side by side
with the Jews who often told them that a Prophet of God was soon to come, they said to
one another: “By God, this is the same thing that the Jews informed us; Lo, nobody should
now get ahead of you.” Thereupon they accepted his teachings and embraced Islam. They
also said to the Prophet (r), “When we left our people, conflict and hatred divided them
more than any other. Perhaps God will unite them through you. We shall inform them to
accept this religion of yours which has been accepted by us, and if God unites them on you,
then no man shall be honored more than you.” (Ibn Hisham, Vol. I, pp. 428-29)
These men returned to their homes after accepting Islam, where they told others about
the Prophet (r) and invited them to accept the new faith. Islam quickly spread in Madinah
until there was no home left of the Ansaar ("supporters" as the people if Madinah were to
be known) wherein the Prophet (r) was not mentioned. (Ibn Hisham, Vol. I, pp. 428-29)
FIRST PLEDGE OF ‘AQABAH
At the pilgrimage the next year, twelve men belonging to the Ansaar met the Prophet (r)
at ‘Aqabah. They pledged themselves to the Prophet (r) vowing neither to commit theft nor
fornication, nor to kill their children, to obey him in what was right, and to associate nothing
with God. When these people left Madinah, the Prophet (r) sent Mus’ab Ibn ‘Umayr (t)
with them to teach the Qur’an to the people there as well as to expound Islam and instruct
them about the religion; wherefore ‘Umayr came to be called “The reader” in Madina. He
lived with As’ad Ibn Zurara and also led prayers. (Ibn Hisham Vol. I, p. 434)
THE REASON FOR ANSAAR’S ACCEPTANCE OF ISLAM
It was a critical juncture when God afforded the opportunity of helping and defending Is-
lam to the Aus and the Khazraj, the two influential tribes of Yathrib. For there was nothing
more precious at the moment than to own and accept Islam, they were really fortunate in
getting the most relevant and timely opportunity to take precedence over all other tribes of
Hijaz in welcoming and defending the religion of God. They overshadowed their compatriots
since all the tribes of Arabia, in general, and the Quraysh, in particular, had proven them-
selves ungrateful as well as incompetent to take advantage of the greatest favor bestowed
upon them.
“And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path”
[Qur'an (2:213)]