Abu Talha Al-Ansari

Abu Talha Al-Ansari was a distinguished companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and a member of the family of the Prophet through his maternal side. He was among the notable figures during the Pledge of Aqabah. His full name is Zaid ibn Sahl ibn Al-Aswad ibn Harim ibn Amr ibn Zaid Manat ibn Adi ibn Al-Najjar Al-Khazraji. He was born in Medina 36 years before the Hijrah. Renowned for his equestrian skills, he was one of the finest archers and a prominent figure among the Ansar. He participated in several key battles, including the Battle of Badr, Uhud, and the Battle of the Trench, standing steadfastly alongside the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He was notably behind the Prophet during the Battle of Khyber and displayed remarkable bravery during the Battle of Uhud. As narrated by Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), during Uhud, when many fled from the Prophet, Abu Talha bravely shielded him with his own body, breaking two or three bows while defending him. He urged the Prophet to stay low to avoid enemy arrows, declaring, “My neck is to be sacrificed for yours, O Messenger of Allah.”

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) established a brotherhood between him and Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with both). It is reported that Abu Talha had a loud voice, prompting the Prophet to say, “The voice of Abu Talha in the army is better than a thousand men.” He narrated numerous hadiths and was a source for reports shared by Ibn Abbas, Anas ibn Malik, Zaid ibn Khalid Al-Juhani, and his son Abdullah, all of whom hold esteemed status. It is recorded that he lived for forty years after the Prophet’s passing, and he would only break his fast on Eid days, having fasted continuously for thirty years, as shared by Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him).

Islam of Abu Talha Al-Ansari

The embrace of Islam by Abu Talha Al-Ansari was significantly influenced by Umm Sulaym, the mother of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with her). It is reported that her husband Malik had gone to Syria, where he perished after the prohibition of alcohol was introduced by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Following his death, Abu Talha approached her with a proposal of marriage. She replied, “By Allah, a man like you, Abu Talha, should not be rejected, but you are a disbeliever, and I am a Muslim; it is unlawful for me to marry you unless you accept Islam. If you convert, that will be my dowry, and I will not ask for anything else.” Thus, Abu Talha went to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was among his companions, and conveyed Umm Sulaym’s words. He then declared the shahada and accepted Islam, marrying her under the terms of the greatest dowry—a commitment to embrace Islam.

Traits of Abu Talha Al-Ansari

Abu Talha (may Allah be pleased with him) was characterized by numerous admirable traits, some of which include:

Courage and Bravery: Abu Talha notably exemplified bravery both in the pre-Islamic era and during Islam. He was renowned as an exceptional archer, and on one occasion, as narrated by Anas ibn Malik, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, “Whoever kills a disbeliever shall have their spoils.” Abu Talha killed twenty men that day and took their belongings.
Devotion to Worship: Another remarkable trait of Abu Talha (may Allah be pleased with him) was his dedication to worship. It is reported that after the Prophet’s passing, he continued to fast for thirty years without breaking his fast unless absolutely necessary.
Generosity and Charity: Abu Talha Al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) was a paragon of generosity and spending in the way of Allah. One day, he heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) addressing the people from the pulpit, reciting the verse: “You will not attain righteousness until you spend of that which you love.” He immediately stood up without hesitation and donated his most cherished asset, a garden named Bairaha, which the Prophet used to visit and enjoy its shade and water. However, the Prophet advised him to give it to his relatives, leading Abu Talha to donate it to his kinsfolk, including Hassan ibn Thabit and Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with them).

Death of Abu Talha Al-Ansari

During the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), the Muslims intended to embark on a naval expedition. By then, Abu Talha (may Allah be pleased with him) was an elderly man. Despite the physical challenges posed by age and the grueling nature of sea warfare, he prepared himself to join the expedition. His sons pleaded with him not to participate, highlighting his advanced age and his previous involvement in battles during his youth alongside the Prophet, Abu Bakr, and Umar (may Allah be pleased with them). However, Abu Talha insisted on joining, stating that Allah had commanded, “March forth, light or heavy,” thereby emphasizing that every believer, young or old, should partake in the fight. He joined the expedition, but while at sea, he fell gravely ill and subsequently passed away. His fellow Muslims searched for land to bury him but took seven days to find it. Consequently, Abu Talha (may Allah be pleased with him) was laid to rest alone, far from his family and homeland, on a distant island, marking a life and death dedicated to the service of Allah.