طلحة بن عبيد الله
Talha ibn Ubaydillah
The Living Martyr of Uhud
Quick Facts
Birth
c. 594 CE, Makkah
Tribe
Quraysh — Banu Taym
Relationship
Early believer through Abu Bakr
Major Role
Defender of the Prophet ﷺ at Uhud
Death
656 CE (36 AH), Battle of the Camel
A generous merchant of Banu Taym, Talha embraced Islam early through Abu Bakr. At Uhud he shielded the Prophet ﷺ with his own body, and is remembered as one who fulfilled his covenant with God.
Biography Timeline
Early Islam
He believed as a young man through the call of Abu Bakr, and the two suffered together under Quraysh, at times bound with a single rope — earning them the name 'the two companions'.
The Day of Uhud
When the line broke at Uhud, Talha stood firm before the Prophet ﷺ, shielding him from arrows until his own hand was maimed. His steadfastness that day became proverbial among the companions.
Generosity
His wealth from trade in Iraq was matched by his giving; he was known as 'Talha of goodness' and 'Talha of generosity' for the ease with which he spent on the poor.
The First Fitnah & Death
In the turmoil after Uthman's death he was drawn into the Battle of the Camel, where he was killed in 656 CE. The tradition treats his death as a trial of the age, not a stain on his standing.
Authentic Narrations
من سرّه أن ينظر إلى شهيدٍ يمشي على وجه الأرض فلينظر إلى طلحة.
“Whoever would like to look at a martyr walking upon the earth, let him look at Talha.”
Jami' al-Tirmidhi
ورد أن النبي ﷺ سمّى عشرة من أصحابه من أهل الجنة: أبو بكر، وعمر، وعثمان، وعليّ، وطلحة، والزبير، وعبد الرحمن بن عوف، وسعد بن أبي وقاص، وسعيد بن زيد، وأبو عبيدة بن الجراح.
“It is reported that the Prophet ﷺ named ten of his companions as people of Paradise: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Talha, al-Zubayr, Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, Sa'id ibn Zayd, and Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah.”
Jami' al-Tirmidhi (Sahih)
Historical Sources
- ✦Jami' al-Tirmidhi; Ibn Sa'd
- ✦Ibn Hisham, al-Sirah