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Who were the muhajirun and the ansar in the early Muslim community?

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World map showing the global distribution of Islam, with countries shaded in varying tones of green to indicate the estimated percentage of the population practicing Islam. Darkest green represents countries with 95-100 percent Muslim populations, including much of North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central and South Asia. Lighter greens show lower percentages, while most of Europe, the Americas, Australia, and East Asia are shaded to indicate less than 25 percent Muslim population.
Islamic world

In the early Muslim community, the muhajirun and the ansar were two foundational groups that emerged following the Prophet Muhammad’s migration, or Hijrah, from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.

  • Muhajirun (“emigrants”): This group consisted of the Muslims who migrated with Muhammad from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution. They are highly esteemed in the Qur'an for their early conversion to Islam and the hardships they endured. As a distinct and honored group, they assumed leadership of the Muslim polity through the caliphate following Muhammad’s death.12

  • Ansar (“helpers”): This group comprised the residents of Medina who aided Muhammad and the muhajirun. They were primarily members of the two major Medinese tribes, the al-Khazraj and the al-Aws. The ansar became devoted supporters of the Prophet, forming the majority of the Muslim army at the Battle of Badr. Their influence as a distinct group declined after they were not chosen to succeed Muhammad as caliph, eventually merging into the broader Muslim community.12