Talhah bin Ubaidullah’s (RA) life is testament to the unfaltering feats of courage, sacrifice, and selflessness that the beloved Sahaba rendered during the early years of Islam. He was among the ten noble companions of Rasulullah (PBUH) to be promised paradise (Ashara Mubashara) in recognition of the services they offered for the love of Islam.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“Abu Bakr is in Paradise, Umar is in Paradise, Uthman is in Paradise, Ali is in Paradise, Talhah is in Paradise, Az-Zubair is in Paradise, Abdur-Rahman Bin Awf is in Paradise, Saad Bin Abi Waqqas is in Paradise, Saeed Bin Zaid is in Paradise, and Abu Ubaidah Bin Al-Jarrah is in Paradise.” [At- Tirmidhi]
Lineage & Physical Appearance
Talhah bin Ubaidullah (RA) hailed from Banu Taym, the clan of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA)— a distinguished clan from the tribe of Quraysh. He was the son of Ubaidullah bin Uthman and Saaba bint Abdullah. He was also the second cousin and son-in-law of Abu Bakr (RA).
Talhah (RA) was considered a handsome man with dark-brownish complexion and had plenty of wavy hair. He was shorter than average in height and had broad shoulders. Talhah (RA) was reported to have donned expensive clothes and scents and sported a ruby gold ring prior to gold being made forbidden for men in Islam.
Conversion to Islam
Talhah (RA) was a well-respected, wealthy merchant who frequently travelled to As-Sham and Yemen for trading of cloth. It is reported that whilst he was at a marketplace in As-Sham on a trading expedition, he heard a monk call out to the people, “Is any of you from the land of the sanctuary (K’abah)?” Approaching the monk, Talhah (RA) informed him that he was indeed from Makkah. The monk then asked him, “Has Ahmed appeared yet?” Upon inquiring who Ahmed was, the monk replied, “He is the son of Abdullah. He is the seal of the Prophets. He comes from the land of the sanctuary (K’abah) and then he migrates to a place of palm trees, black soil and many springs. If he has arrived, you should hurry and meet him.”
Upon his return to Makkah, Talhah (RA) learned that a man named Muhammad Ibn Abdullah had claimed prophethood and was preaching to the people of Makkah along with his cousin Abu Bakr (RA). Recalling the monk’s narrative, Talhah immediately met with Abu Bakr (RA) to learn of the message of Allah. Before long, he accepted Islam at the hands of his cousin. Talhah (RA), at just around 18 years of age, was the 8th individual to enter Islam.
Early Struggles at the hands of the Quraysh
It is well-known that the early converts were subjected to great ridicule and oppression at the hands of the Quraysh. However, narrations indicate that Talhah bin Ubaidullah (RA) suffered far less in comparison to other early Muslims primarily due to his lineage, wealth and his absence from Makkah for the purpose of trading.
Nonetheless, one particular incident sheds light into the oppression that Talhah (RA) too had to endure by their tribe. It was narrated that Nawfal Ibn Khuwaylid, the brother of Khadija (RA), took it upon himself to punish Talhah (RA). He was bound together with Abu Bakr (RA) using one rope and was beaten, whipped, poked with swords, and deprived of food and water. Due to this, both Talhah (RA) and Abu Bakr (RA) were given the name ‘Al-Qareenayn’- the two tied ones.
The Migration to Madinah
Following the increased persecution that the new Muslims faced in Makkah, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) together with the new converts decided to migrate to Madinah. While the Prophet (PBUH) and Abu Bakr (RA) were on their way, they met with Talhah (RA) who was on his way back from As-Sham on a trading journey. He gifted them with new garments and carried news of how the people of Madinah were preparing to welcome the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) and how others were reacting to his departure from Makkah. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) & Abu Bakr (RA) entered Madinah wearing these very garments. Thereafter, Talhah (RA) returned to his home in Makkah and left for Madinah accompanying the family of Abu Bakr (RA).
Talhah’s (RA) role in the Battle of Badr
Although Talhah bin Ubaidullah (RA) set out with the army that marched to Badr from Madinah, he missed the opportunity to fight in the battle alongside the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) and his companions. This was because he, along with Saeed Ibn Zayd (RA) (another of the ten who received glad tidings of Jannah), were chosen to fulfil an important mission that the Prophet (PBUH) had tasked them with.
Talhah (RA) and Saeed (RA) were assigned to locate & spy on the caravan of Abu Sufyan that was returning from Ash-Sham (modern day Syria & neighboring countries). Capturing the caravan was the primary objective of the Muslim army that set out for Badr because Quraysh had usurped the wealth of Muslims who had migrated from Makkah. This was to reclaim what was stolen from them and to put pressure on the Quraysh.
When Talhah (RA) and Saeed (RA) reached the city of Hawra, the two companions spotted the caravan carrying the goods. They rushed back with the news, only to find out that the Battle of Badr had already taken place. Although Talhah (RA) and Saeed (RA) could not get to the battle in time, they are considered to be among the people who attended Badr & as such, received their share of the spoils of war as well as a reward similar to all others that had fought in the battle.
Talhah’s (RA) role in the Battle of Uhud
Uhud is considered by many of the Sahaba as “the day of Talhah” (RA) singularly due to the courage and selflessness he demonstrated in protecting the Prophet of Allah (PBUH) from their enemies. It is reported that when it was apparent that the Muslims had lost the battle and the people had fled, RasulUllah (PBUH) had to seek cover in the mountain. When Prophet (PBUH) was unable to ascend a boulder to reach a cave located high up in the mountain, narrations reveal that Talhah (RA) carried the Prophet (PBUH) on his back and placed him atop the boulder.
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Az-Zubair: “On the Day of (the battle of) Uhud, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) wore two coats of mail. He tried to get up on a boulder, but was not able to, so Talhah squatted under him, lifting the Prophet (PBUH) upon it, such that he could sit on the boulder. So, he said: ‘It (Paradise) is obligatory for Talhah.'” [At- Tirmidhi]
Only twelve men including Talhah (RA) and eleven of the Ansar, remained behind in the cave to protect the Messenger (PBUH) when the battle was drawing to an end. When the enemies drew closer, the Prophet (PBUH) asked the men, “Who will confront these people?” Talhah volunteered each time, to which the Prophet responded, “Stay where you are.” An Ansari then offered and fought on until he was martyred. The Prophet (PBUH) then asked once again, “Who will confront these people?”. Talhah once again volunteered, to which the Prophet (PBUH) repeated, “Stay where you are.” Another Ansari then offered and fought on until he too was killed. This continued until only Talhah (RA) remained.
Several hadeeth speak of how Talhah (RA) fought valiantly until he was on the verge of death.
Narrated Anas:
When it was the day of Uhud, the people left the Prophet (ﷺ) while Abu Talha was in front of the Prophet (ﷺ) shielding him with his leather shield. Abu Talha was a skillful archer who used to shoot violently. He broke two or three arrow bows on that day. If a man carrying a quiver full of arrows passed by, the Prophet would say (to him), put (scatter) its contents for Abu Talha.” The Prophet (ﷺ) would raise his head to look at the enemy, whereupon Abu Talha would say, “Let my father and mother be sacrificed for you ! Do not raise your head, lest an arrow of the enemy should hit you. (Let) my neck (be struck) rather than your neck.” I saw `Aisha, the daughter of Abu Bakr, and Um Sulaim rolling up their dresses so that I saw their leg-bangles while they were carrying water skins on their backs and emptying them in the mouths of the (wounded) people. They would return to refill them and again empty them in the mouths of the (wounded) people. The sword fell from Abu Talha’s hand twice or thrice (on that day).[Sahih Al-Bukhari]
In the heat of the fight, a sword of the enemy struck Talhah bin Ubaidullah’s (RA) hand slicing off one or more of his fingers, to which he hissed when overwhelmed by the pain. Rasulullah (PBUH) informed Talhah (RA) that had he just uttered ‘Bismillah’, (instead of hissing) the angels would have lifted him up right before the eyes of the Quraysh (implying that Talhah (RA) had reached such a high status that day).
Talhah (RA) fought until he lost consciousness and could no longer carry on fighting. It is reported that he received between twenty-four to thirty-five wounds that day. When Abu Bakr (RA) and other Sahaba finally made their way to RasulUllah’s (PBUH) he instructed them to go and attend to Talhah. After attending to RasulUllah (PBUH), when they found Talhah (RA), he was barely clinging onto life.
One of Talhah’s (RA) hands was permanently paralyzed as a result of the injuries he suffered on the day of Uhud.
Narrated Qais bin Abi Hazim:
I saw Talha’s paralyzed hand with which he had protected the Prophet (from an arrow). [Bukhari]
Talhah’s character
His courage needs no further mention as was displayed on the battle of Uhud. Despite the life-long injuries he faced following this battle, Talhah (RA) went on the partake in all battles in the name of Allah alongside Rasulullah (PBUH).
Talhah’s (RA) spirit of generosity was well-known to all, in fact he earned the title “Al- Fayyadh: The One who is overflowing with Generosity” by none other than the Prophet (PBUH) himself. He was a wealthy man throughout his life, but his riches never caused him to be miserly—but, readily gave away his wealth to those who were in need.
From a young age, Talhah (RA) was revered by those around him due to his wealth and lineage. However, he was never one who sought-after power or status. One such incident that reflects his humble disposition was in the choosing of a Khalifa after Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (RA). Talhah (RA) was among the six individuals that were chosen by Umar (RA) to elect a Khalifa among themselves following his death. Having no interest at all in being a Caliph, Talhah (RA) gave his vote to Abdur Rahman Ibn Awf (RA) trusting that he would make a much more informed decision in the electing of a suitable Khalifa. Nonetheless, he never shied away from giving his honest opinion or openly opposing policies put forward by the Khalifa if they didn’t seem correct.
The Battle of the Camel & the death of Talhah (RA)
Following discussions between Aisha (RA), Ali (RA), Talhah (RA) & Zubayr (RA) to pursue the killers of Uthmaan (RA), both camps had reached an agreement. However, both armies were attacked by the transgressors pretending to be the opposing side – to which both sides retaliated against each other. What ensued is known as the Battle of the Camel. While attempting to stop the fighting, Talhah bin Ubaidullah (RA) was struck by an arrow. It was this that lead to his death.
It is revealed that after the battle, upon witnessing him slain on the battlefield, Ali (RA) placed the head of Talhah (RA) on his lap, wiped the dust off his face and wept. He also washed, shrouded and performed the Janazah for this beloved and noble companion of the Prophet (PBUH). He then called those who were gathered at the Janazah and stated,
“My ear heard from the mouth of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), while he was saying: ‘Talhah and Az-Zubair are my neighbors in Paradise.'” [At-Tirmidhi]
