Ansari (nesba)

Ansari (Arabic: انصاری) is a nesbat - or nesba - used in the Middle East and South Asia. It originates from Ansar (Arabic: انصار), the Medinan people that helped Islamic prophet Muhammad when he migrated from Mecca to Medina. The literal meaning of Ansar is "supporters".

Arabic usage

The name itself is not used as a surname among Arabs; patronymics are used instead. The word is added as a title to the end of the name, if one has an ancestor who was an Ansar. This use of a name is called "Nesbat" in Arabic, meaning "relation". In modern times, however, the surname Al-Ansari is widely used in many Persian Gulf and Arab nations. Most Ansaris claim ancestry to Abu Ayyub al-Ansari.

Iranian usage

In contrast to Arabic usage, Iranians use surnames instead of patronymics. In Iran, Ansari has become a surname. This has also happened with the "Tabatabai", also originally a Nesbat.

South Asian usage

The Ansari surname is used in Pakistan, northern India and Bangladesh, to show a lineage or ancestral link to the Ansar of Medina.

Over a period of time, others, and many of the new Muslim converts, in India also identified themselves as Ansari, to show reverence to their Islamic faith. Many of them in northern India and Pakistan have their roots going back to West Asia (Middle East), who came to Indian sub-continent for various reasons and then later settled down there. Often, but not necessarily, Ansari is used to identify a caste, as well which is common in South Asian culture.

Notable Ansari people

Notable Ansari Women

Notable Ansari Scientist

First Naats in islam

See also ansari related

References

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