Abu Talha al-Ansari

Abu Talha al-Ansari

Personal Information
Full Name	Zayd b. Sahl b. Aswad b. Haram al-Khazraji
Teknonym	Abu Talha
Well Known As	Abu Talha al-Ansari
Lineage	Khazraj
Well-Known Relatives	Rumaysa' bt. Milhan (wife)
Muhajir/Ansar	Ansar
Place(s) of Residence	Medina
Death/Martyrdom	50/670-1 or 51/671-2
Converting to Islam	Pledge of al-'Aqaba
Religious Information
Presence at ghazwas	Badr, Uhud, Hunayn, Khandaq

Zayd b. Sahl b. Aswad b. Ḥarām al-Khazrajī (Arabic: اَبوطَلْحه زيد بن سهل بن اسود بن حرام الخزرجي), known as Abū Ṭalḥa al-Anṣārī ( اَبوطَلْحه الانصاري) was a well-known Sahaba of the Prophet Muhammad (s). He was among Ansar and a prominent warrior and archer in early Islam. He attended battles of Badr, Uhud, Hunayn, and Khandaq and narrated hadiths from the Prophet (s).

As a Companion of the Prophet (s)

Before the Holy Prophet's (s) Migration to Medina, Abu Talha accompanied the Prophet (s) in the Pledge of 'Aqaba and paid allegiance to him and was appointed as one of the twelve naqibs (deputies) of the people of Yathrib. It has been said that following his migration to Medina, the Holy Prophet (s) made Pact of Brotherhood between Abu Tahla and Abu 'Abd Allah Arqam b. 'Abd Manaf.

He also participated in the battles of Badr, Uhud, Hunayn and Khandaq. In the Battle of Uhud, he threw arrows ahead of the Prophet (s), and since his voice was strong, the Prophet (s) said that he would terrify the enemies more than a group of warriors.

Miraculous Feeding

It has been narrated that one day Abu Talha noticed the signs of hunger on the Holy Prophet's (s) face, so he invited him to his house to have food. The Holy Prophet (s) went there along with his companions and recited a supplication onto the little amount of food provided. Then he called his companions to enter the house one group at a time. They all ate from the food, and all of them were satiated.

Narration of Hadith

Abu Talha has narrated some hadiths from the Holy Prophet (s). His son, 'Abd Allah, and his grandson, Ishaq b. 'Abd Allah as well as other Sahaba such as Anas b. Malik and a few others have narrated hadith from him.

Characteristics

Abu Talha fasted very frequently. It is said that he lived 40 years after the demise of the Holy Prophet (s). During these 40 years, he always fasted except when he was sick or on a journey and on days of Fitr and Adha. It is said that the Prophet's (s) corpse was buried in a grave dug by Abu Talha in the style of people of Medina.

A Mission Assigned by the Second Caliph

When the Second Caliph formed the Six-Member Council upon his death, to select the succeeding caliph, he commanded Abu Talha to stand outside the house where the council had convened, along with 50 men from Ansar, and stop anyone who attempted to enter the house for three days so that the council would select the next caliph.

Death

There is a lot of disagreement over when and where Abu Talha died. Some people take it to be 31/651-2 or 32/652-3 or 35/655-6 in Medina. On another account, he died at the age of 70 in 43/663 and 'Uthman b. 'Affan said Funeral Prayers on his corpse.

According to Ibn Kathir, he died in 32/652-3 or 51/671-2. On another account, he died in 51/671-2 or 52/672 on a trip for a sea battle on a battleship, and he was buried in an island after six days with no changes or decays in his corpse.

Since, according to some historians, Abu Talha lived 40 years after the demise of the Holy Prophet (s), it seems that he died at the age of 70 in 50/670-1 or 51/671-2.