Surah al-Hashr (The Gathering ) 59 : 9

Explanatory Note

This is again a bright, true picture showing the Ansar's main distinctive features. These were a unique group of people. They achieved, in practice, standards which most people would think too idealistic to be true and rose to levels that were too high even for our imaginations.

"And to those who were already firmly established in the Home and in faith." The Home means the town, Yathrib, to which the Prophet and his followers in Makkah migrated. Thereafter, it has been known as Madinah, meaning The City, or the Prophet's own city. The Ansar were firmly settled there, long before the arrival of the Muhajirin. They were also firmly established in faith, as if faith had become a part of their own dwelling place. The image here has clear connotations, yet it is the closest description of the Ansar's attitude towards faith. It became their place of living where their hearts and souls settled in peace. They flocked to it like homing pigeons.

We do not find in human history an event similar to the reception given by the Ansar to the Muhajirin: it reflected genuine love and unparalleled generosity. The Ansar happily shared their possessions with their immigrant brethren, competing with each other in offering them their homes and shouldering the burden of hospitality. It is reported that in every case, lots were drawn to decide where each one of the Muhajirin would settle, because the numbers of the Ansar offering their homes were more than the numbers of the Muhajirin needing to be settled. They "harbour no desire in their hearts for whatever the others may have been given." The Muhajirin are, at times, given an exceptionally high position, but the Ansar harbour no feeling of envy as a result. They may be given special treatment, as in the case of the gains made in this encounter. Again the Ansar accept this willingly.

"They give them preference over themselves, even though they are in want." To give preference to others when one is in need oneself is a high summit to reach, one which the Ansar scaled in a way unknown anywhere else in human history. This was their true description in every case. They always exceeded what is normal in people's lives.

"And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul it is those who will be the successful." It is personal greed that hinders every good thing. Goodness means giving in one way or another: one gives away money, love, emotions, effort and indeed one gives one's life when necessary. A person with greed cannot do what is good, because he always wants to take and not give. Therefore, a person saved from his own greed is spared the need to overcome this obstacle. He moves on to give generously with a feeling of gratification. This is true success.