Hadith Text

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The sign of Belief is to love the Ansar, and the sign of hypocrisy is to hate the Ansar."

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 3784

Context and Meaning

This profound hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari establishes love for the Ansar (Helpers of Madinah) as a fundamental criterion of genuine faith (iman) and hatred toward them as a clear indication of hypocrisy (nifaq).

The Ansar were the noble inhabitants of Madinah who embraced the Prophet (ﷺ) and the Muhajirun (Emigrants from Makkah) with unparalleled generosity, sacrificing their wealth and homes for the establishment of Islam.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam al-Qurtubi explains that this love is obligatory (wajib) because the Ansar supported Islam when it was most vulnerable. Their sacrifice enabled the establishment of the first Islamic state.

Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari states that this hadith demonstrates the elevated status of the Ansar. Loving them means loving what they loved - Islam, the Prophet, and his companions.

Al-Nawawi comments that this love is a manifestation of gratitude to Allah for granting such supporters to His religion, and hatred toward them indicates ingratitude and opposition to divine grace.

Practical Implications

True believers must harbor genuine love and respect for the Ansar in their hearts, recognizing their immense contribution to Islam.

This love extends to honoring their descendants and preserving their legacy in Islamic history and scholarship.

The hadith serves as a spiritual diagnostic tool - one's attitude toward the Ansar reveals the condition of one's faith.

Source

This commentary is based on classical scholarly works including Fath al-Bari by Ibn Hajar, Sharh Sahih Muslim by al-Nawawi, and al-Mufhim by al-Qurtubi.

Book: Merits of the Helpers in Madinah (Ansaar)
Author: Sahih al-Bukhari