The Ansar or Ansari (Arabic: الأنصار, romanized: al-Anṣār, lit. 'The Helpers' or 'Those who bring victory') are the local inhabitants (mostly Muslims) of Medina who took the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers (the Muhajirun) into their homes when they fled from Mecca during the hijra. They belonged to the tribes of Banu Khazraj and Banu Aus.