Talha ibn Ubaydullah (rta): The Living Martyr

By

Sadaf Azhar – Hiba Magazine Team Writer

Talha bin Ubaydullah (rta), one of the ten companions given the glad tidings of Jannah, belonged to Abu Bakr’s (rta) tribe of Banu Taim. This tribe was known for generosity and Talha was loved for it too.

Appearance and Character

Tall, dark and handsome, Talha walked very fast. Since he was a very successful cloth merchant, he would dress in expensive clothes and wear scents. He even used to wear a gold ring prior to gold being forbidden for men by the Prophet (sa).

Talha’s wealth rivalled that of Uthman (rta). He would deal with a thousand gold coins a day and would give the majority of it in charity. His money never reached his heart but remained in his hands and he feared being held accountable for it.

The Prophet (sa) gave him three other nicknames: Talha tal Khair (the good), Al Joud (the generous) Al Fayyadh (the beneficent one).

In the Battle of Tabuk he donated seven hundred thousand Dinars in the footsteps of Uthman (rta). Saeed ibn Zaid (rta), who often accompanied Talha (rta) vouched: “I have never seen a man so generous in sharing his food, his clothes and his wealth.”

He would also forgive debts, which is one of the actions that ensures one to be shaded under the Throne of Allah (swt) on the day of judgment.

Therefore, Talha belonged to the group of companions called Al Mardhiyeen- one of those with whom the Prophet (sa) was pleased. He also narrated 20 Ahadith.

Acceptance of Islam

As a trader, Talha was often away from Makkah on his trade routes. At the time of revelation, he was in Ash Shaam where he met a monk who asked him: “Is anyone of you from the Ahl Al Haram?”

Talha replied in the affirmative. The monk questioned him further: “Has Ahmed yet appeared?”

Talha was confused and asked: “Who is Ahmed?”

The monk explained: “He is the son of Abdullah, the Seal of the Prophets.  He comes from the land of The Sanctuary (the Haram) and then migrates to the land of black soil, palm trees and many springs. You should hurry up and meet him quickly.”

Talha was perplexed so as soon as he returned, he asked his fellow Makkans if something had happened. They told him that Muhammad bin Abdullah claimed Prophethood and that Abu Quhafa accepted his Call.

Since Talha (rta) was close to Abu Bakr (rta), he visited him. Abu Bakr (rta) confirmed the news and invited him to Islam. They went to the Prophet (sa) and Talha accepted Islam and so became one the first eight people to accept Islam at the young age of eighteen.

Makkan Persecution

The rich, powerful nobles were punished behind closed doors. They used to tie Abu Bakr and Talha with one rope so they were nicknamed Al Qareenain (the Two Tied Ones). They were starved, whipped and poked with swords.

Masood ibn Al Kharash narrates that once he was doing Sai’i when he saw a crowd pushing a young man and then raining punches on his head. In the crowd, was an old woman who was whipping him and shouting at him. She was Talha’s (rta) old mother.

However, Talha was able to escape the torture because he was often out of Makkah on his trade routes. So, he did not migrate to Abyssinia and the Makkans dealt with him begrudgingly because of his trade connections.

Talha migrates

When the Prophet (sa) made Hijrah, Talha (rta) met them en route while he was returning from his trade route and presented them both with clothes he had brought for them. He also informed them of what he had heard about the situation outside Makkah and that the people of Madinah were awaiting them.

He then accompanied the family of Abu Bakr (rta) on their Hijrah. The Prophet (sa) paired off Talha (rta) with Abu Ayyub Ansari (rta).

Battle of Badr

Talha (rta) missed the Battle of Badr because the Prophet (sa) had sent him with Saeed ibn Zaid (rta) to spy on a Makkan caravan. When he complained to the Prophet (sa) for missing the battle, the Prophet (sa) soothed him, promising him rewards as a veteran of Badr because of the sincerity of his intention.

Uhud: The Day of Talha (rta)

Abu Bakr (rta) narrates that Uhud is considered as the Day of Talha (rta). Even the Prophet (sa) was stunned by his heroic courage, and saw himself always flanked by Jibraeel (as) and Talha (rta). Talha (rta) used his own body and bare hands to catch arrows aimed at the Prophet (sa) and suffered many wounds.

When the Prophet (sa) fell, injured and bleeding, Talha carried him on his back up the mountain. When Abu Bakr (rta) and other companions reached the Prophet (sa), he asked them to go to the aid of Talha (rta). They found him heavily wounded by spears, swords and arrows, his foot cut and mouth bleeding heavily. Yet, he was still alive. The Prophet (sa) looked at him and said: “It (Shahadah) became mandatory for Talha. Whoever wants to see a walking martyr, look at Talha.’

His daughter, Umm Ishaq, narrates that her father had 24 wounds on his body and some of them never fully healed. His right hand was partially paralyzed because of catching so many arrows at Uhud. Yet he fought alongside the Prophet (sa) in every subsequent battle. Therefore, he is promised as the neighbour of the Prophet (sa) in Jannah.

Talha’s (rta) Role During the Caliphates

Talha (rta) was one of the key warriors in Hurub Ar-ridda. He also fought against the Romans under Umar (rta) since he was well aware of the land and people.

He was one of the six appointed to the counsel by Umar (rta) to choose the next caliph and he allowed Abur Rahman bin Awf (rta) to vote on his behalf. He himself had no interest in becoming the caliph.

His martyrdom

Even though he had reservations about some of Uthman’s (rta) policies, Talha (rta) placed his son, Muhammad, to guard Uthman (rta). But he never expected people to murder Uthman (rta) and so he left Madinah on business during the siege, an act that riddled him with guilt. He gave his pledge to Ali (rta) as the succeeding caliph, but he wanted justice for Uthman (rta). He prayed: ‘O Allah! Take from me for Uthman until You are pleased.’

He accompanied Az Zubayr (rta) and Ayesha (rta) to demand justice for Uthman (rta) from Ali (rta). Ayesha (rta), Ali (rta) and Talha (rta) agreed to unite and pursue the killers. But the Khawarij attacked both camps to prevent unification and Talha (rta) was martyred.

When Ali (rta) found the body of Talha (rta), he knelt and put his head in his lap and wiped the dirt off his face. He cried and said: ‘You are too noble and dear to me to see you in this state. To Allah I complain about my hardships and I wish I had died 20 years before this day.’

The companions with him also wept. He washed and shrouded Talha (rta) and led his funeral prayers. Hence Talha (rta) finally rested a martyr in true spirit.