The Eighth Narration: On the day of (the battle of) Uhud, the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam wore two coats of mail armour…..
The Seventh Narration: Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said at the Battle of the Trench, “Who will go and bring me news of the Banu Qurayzah?”….
November 23, 2018The Ninth Narration: I never heard the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam mentioning both of his parents being ransomed for anyone except for Sa’d. On the Day of Uhud, I heard him saying, “Shoot Sa’d, may my father and mother be ransomed for you.”
November 26, 2018BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents
The Eighth Narration
Zubair ibn al ‘Awwam radiya Llahu ‘anhu said:
كان على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم درعان يوم أحد فنهض إلى الصخرة فلم يستطع فأقعد طلحة تحته فصعد النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عليه حتى استوى على الصخرة فقال سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول أوجب طلحة
On the day of (the battle of) Uhud, the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam wore two coats of mail armour. He tried to get up on a boulder, but was not able to, so Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu squatted under him, lifting the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam upon it, so that he could sit on the boulder. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “It (Paradise) is obligatory for Talhah.”[1]
The chain of narration is sound, Imam Tirmidhi has recorded and many scholars have authenticated it. Muhammad ibn Ishaq has specified hearing the narration in his book of Sirah.
Commentary and Lessons Learnt from this Narration:
1. There lay great virtue for Talhah ibn ‘Ubaid Allah radiya Llahu ‘anhu in this narration; Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam gave him the glad tidings of entry into Jannat. The scholars have said, the statement, ‘It (Paradise) is obligatory for Talhah,’ means, he has done such an act that guarantees his entry into paradise.
2. Another virtue in favour of Talhah ibn ‘Ubaid Allah radiya Llahu ‘anhu is in the climbing of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam upon his back.
3. Imam Bukhari has narrated on the authority of Qais ibn Abi Hazim:
رأيت يد طلحة التي وقى بها النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قد شلت
I saw Talhah’s paralyzed hand with which he had protected the Prophet (from an arrow).[2]
The following narration of ‘Aisha is recorded in Musnad al Tayalisi:
كان أبو بكر إذا ذكر يوم أحد بكى ، ثم قال : ذاك كله يوم طلحة ، … قال ثم أتينا طلحة في بعض تلك الجفار فإذا به بضع وسبعون أو أقل أو أكثر بين طعنة ورمية وضربة وإذا قد قطعت اصبعه فأصلحنا من شأنه
When the Day of Uhud would be mentioned, Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu would weep and say, “That entire day belonged to Talhah.” He said, “We came to Talhah on that day and found him to have seventy-odd spear, arrow, and impact wounds with his finger cut off. We treated him as best we could.[3]
4. This narration goes to prove the bravery and deep seeded faith of Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu with the Day of Uhud being dedicated entirely to him by Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu. Dear reader, can you fathom the immense quality and quantity of good deeds that will be recorded and given to Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu on the Day of Qiyamah?
This narration furthermore goes to show that hatred for Islam and the Muslims has possessed a man who reviles and sees as apostate this Noble Companion, Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu.
The Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum were flagbearers of this pristine faith, they defended it, and conquered the east and the west by it. Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu lost the use of his limbs and fingers in defending Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He eventually gave his life for the faith! Who can possibly think this pure soul to have become a hypocrite or apostate? Yes, hypocrisy and apostasy can be understood with regards to the wicked Batiniyyah; enemies of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, who stoop to reviling the Companions.
5. The narration depicts how Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu defended Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in battle and in lieu was rewarded by martyrdom.
الجزاء من جنس العمل
Actions are recompensed by the like thereof.
Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is reported to have said:
من سره أن ينظر إلى شهيد يمشي على وجه الأرض فلينظر إلى طلحة بن عبيد الله
Whomsoever wishes to witness a martyr walking the earth should look at Talhah ibn ‘Ubaid Allah.[4]
This was to favour him with a boon that is generally specific to the Prophets; preservation of the body after death. Ibn ‘Asakir has narrated on the authority of ‘Aisha bint Talhah, that she saw her father in a dream instructing her to move his body as rainwater had disturbed the ground around it. When his body was exhumed thirty years after his death, it was fresh with no sign of decomposition. He was then buried in Basrah.[5]
6. The spirit of striving in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, love for Islam, and strength of iman was imbued so deeply into the hearts of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum that after the glad tidings of paradise was afforded to them, they continued striving and holding firmly on the din till they breathed their last.
7. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam wearing two sets of mail armour was in conformity to the command of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا خُذُوْا حِذْرَكُمْ
O you who have believed, take your precaution[6]
This does not nullify or contradict a person’s trust in Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, it is complying to the command of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala in making use of means.
8. It is the responsibility of the leader to make use of the appropriate defences available to him in defending the Muslims. Similarly, issuing and using defence protocols is his duty.
9. Humility in general and humbling oneself for his fellow Muslim in particular forms part of a sublime character and breeds a strong sense of brotherhood. Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu brought alive the following verse with his courageous and humble actions:
مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِيْنَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves.[7]
10. Expending one’s energy in carrying out good actions in times of difficulty, trials, and tribulations – generally – holds more reward compared to doing the same in times of ease. The texts of the Qur’an and Ahadith support this.
11. Is it recommended for one who has been helped greatly to do his utmost, by whatever means he has, in returning the favour.
[1] Jami’ al Tirmidhi, Hadith: 4103.
[2] Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith: 3518.
[3] Musnad al Tayalisi, vol. 1 pg. 8.
[4] Jami’ al Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3739.
[5] Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 25 pg. 123; Siyar A’lam al Nubala’, vol. 1 pg. 40; Tahdhib al Kamal, vol. 9 pg. 258.
[6] Surah al Nisa’: 71.
[7] Surah al Fath: 29.
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The Eighth Narration
Zubair ibn al ‘Awwam radiya Llahu ‘anhu said:
كان على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم درعان يوم أحد فنهض إلى الصخرة فلم يستطع فأقعد طلحة تحته فصعد النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عليه حتى استوى على الصخرة فقال سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول أوجب طلحة
On the day of (the battle of) Uhud, the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam wore two coats of mail armour. He tried to get up on a boulder, but was not able to, so Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu squatted under him, lifting the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam upon it, so that he could sit on the boulder. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said, “It (Paradise) is obligatory for Talhah.”[1]
The chain of narration is sound, Imam Tirmidhi has recorded and many scholars have authenticated it. Muhammad ibn Ishaq has specified hearing the narration in his book of Sirah.
Commentary and Lessons Learnt from this Narration:
1. There lay great virtue for Talhah ibn ‘Ubaid Allah radiya Llahu ‘anhu in this narration; Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam gave him the glad tidings of entry into Jannat. The scholars have said, the statement, ‘It (Paradise) is obligatory for Talhah,’ means, he has done such an act that guarantees his entry into paradise.
2. Another virtue in favour of Talhah ibn ‘Ubaid Allah radiya Llahu ‘anhu is in the climbing of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam upon his back.
3. Imam Bukhari has narrated on the authority of Qais ibn Abi Hazim:
رأيت يد طلحة التي وقى بها النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قد شلت
I saw Talhah’s paralyzed hand with which he had protected the Prophet (from an arrow).[2]
The following narration of ‘Aisha is recorded in Musnad al Tayalisi:
كان أبو بكر إذا ذكر يوم أحد بكى ، ثم قال : ذاك كله يوم طلحة ، … قال ثم أتينا طلحة في بعض تلك الجفار فإذا به بضع وسبعون أو أقل أو أكثر بين طعنة ورمية وضربة وإذا قد قطعت اصبعه فأصلحنا من شأنه
When the Day of Uhud would be mentioned, Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu would weep and say, “That entire day belonged to Talhah.” He said, “We came to Talhah on that day and found him to have seventy-odd spear, arrow, and impact wounds with his finger cut off. We treated him as best we could.[3]
4. This narration goes to prove the bravery and deep seeded faith of Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu with the Day of Uhud being dedicated entirely to him by Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu. Dear reader, can you fathom the immense quality and quantity of good deeds that will be recorded and given to Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu on the Day of Qiyamah?
This narration furthermore goes to show that hatred for Islam and the Muslims has possessed a man who reviles and sees as apostate this Noble Companion, Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu.
The Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum were flagbearers of this pristine faith, they defended it, and conquered the east and the west by it. Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu lost the use of his limbs and fingers in defending Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. He eventually gave his life for the faith! Who can possibly think this pure soul to have become a hypocrite or apostate? Yes, hypocrisy and apostasy can be understood with regards to the wicked Batiniyyah; enemies of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, who stoop to reviling the Companions.
5. The narration depicts how Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu defended Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in battle and in lieu was rewarded by martyrdom.
الجزاء من جنس العمل
Actions are recompensed by the like thereof.
Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is reported to have said:
من سره أن ينظر إلى شهيد يمشي على وجه الأرض فلينظر إلى طلحة بن عبيد الله
Whomsoever wishes to witness a martyr walking the earth should look at Talhah ibn ‘Ubaid Allah.[4]
This was to favour him with a boon that is generally specific to the Prophets; preservation of the body after death. Ibn ‘Asakir has narrated on the authority of ‘Aisha bint Talhah, that she saw her father in a dream instructing her to move his body as rainwater had disturbed the ground around it. When his body was exhumed thirty years after his death, it was fresh with no sign of decomposition. He was then buried in Basrah.[5]
6. The spirit of striving in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, love for Islam, and strength of iman was imbued so deeply into the hearts of the Sahabah radiya Llahu ‘anhum that after the glad tidings of paradise was afforded to them, they continued striving and holding firmly on the din till they breathed their last.
7. Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam wearing two sets of mail armour was in conformity to the command of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا خُذُوْا حِذْرَكُمْ
O you who have believed, take your precaution[6]
This does not nullify or contradict a person’s trust in Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala, it is complying to the command of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala in making use of means.
8. It is the responsibility of the leader to make use of the appropriate defences available to him in defending the Muslims. Similarly, issuing and using defence protocols is his duty.
9. Humility in general and humbling oneself for his fellow Muslim in particular forms part of a sublime character and breeds a strong sense of brotherhood. Talhah radiya Llahu ‘anhu brought alive the following verse with his courageous and humble actions:
مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللَّهِ وَالَّذِيْنَ مَعَهُ أَشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves.[7]
10. Expending one’s energy in carrying out good actions in times of difficulty, trials, and tribulations – generally – holds more reward compared to doing the same in times of ease. The texts of the Qur’an and Ahadith support this.
11. Is it recommended for one who has been helped greatly to do his utmost, by whatever means he has, in returning the favour.
[1] Jami’ al Tirmidhi, Hadith: 4103.
[2] Sahih al Bukhari, Hadith: 3518.
[3] Musnad al Tayalisi, vol. 1 pg. 8.
[4] Jami’ al Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3739.
[5] Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 25 pg. 123; Siyar A’lam al Nubala’, vol. 1 pg. 40; Tahdhib al Kamal, vol. 9 pg. 258.
[6] Surah al Nisa’: 71.
[7] Surah al Fath: 29.