Hadhrat Talha bin Ubaidillah radiallahu anhu, along with some experienced traders, had once set off for a trade journey to the land of Syria. When they reached the city of Busra, the traders rushed to the market place and began trading. Although Talha radiallahu anhu was the youngest and most inexperienced amongst them, he was gifted with intelligence and foresight which put him on an equal footing with the others. This trade journey was meant to be a life-changer for Talha radiallahu anhu and he narrates the following about this trade journey himself:
“Whilst at the market place, a Christian scholar called out to the people, “Oh traders, is there anyone here from the land of the Haram (Makkah)?” I was standing close-by so I rushed forward towards him and replied in the affirmative. He asked, “Has Ahmad bin Abdillah bin Abdil Muttalib appeared before you as a prophet? He is the final messenger and this is the month in which he is expected to appear. He will be commissioned as a Prophet in Makkah and thereafter migrate to the city of Madinah. I urge you to hasten towards him young man!”
The scholar’s words left an indelible impression on his heart. He mounted his camel and set-off for Makkah leaving behind his travelling companions. As soon as he reached home, He asked his family if anything unusual had taken place during his absence. They informed him that Muhammad bin Abdillah has claimed Prophethood and Ibnu Quhaafa (Abu Bakr) has become his follower.
Talha radiallahu anhu says, “I knew Abu Bakr radiallahu anhu very well. He was an easy-going lovable person. We were all attracted to him due to his extensive knowledge of the Quraishi tribes and their lineage. Together with this, he was also an honest trader who possessed sublime character. I set-off to meet him and make further enquiries regarding the Deen of Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.”
Abu Bakr radiallahu anhu explained to him the beautiful and pure beliefs of Islam and encouraged him to accept the Deen of Islam. Talha radiallahu anhu then explained to Abu Bakr radiallahu anhu what had transpired in the land of the Shaam and the announcement of the Christian scholar. Together, they proceeded to Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and narrated the incident to him. Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam presented Islam to Talha radiallahu anhu and recited a few verses from the Qur’aan Shareef. Allah Ta’ala opened the heart of Talha radiallahu anhu to Islam and he took the Shahaadat (accepted Islam).
The Islam of Talha radiallahu anhu struck like a bolt of lightning upon his family. The most grieved was his mother. At first his family tried to turn him away from Islam using love and kindness. However this did not deter him in the least. Hence they changed their approach to that of aggression and punishment. Mas’ood bin Kharaash says, “I was once walking between Safa and Marwa when I saw a youngster whose hands were tied to his neck. A large group of people were following him. Some were beating him on his back whilst others were striking him on his head. Behind them was an old woman screaming and swearing at him. Upon enquiry, I was told that this was Talha bin Ubaidillah and the old woman was his mother.”
Talha radiallahu anhu endured all the persecution patiently and his faith in Allah Ta’ala only increased with each passing day. Eventually he made hijrat (migrated) to Madinah Munawwarah on the command of Rasullullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. He participated alongside Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam in the all the battles which took place except the battle of Badr, as he was sent as a spy to check on the caravan of the Quraish. Therefore he was given a share from the spoils of Badr and Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam also gave him the glad-tidings of receiving the reward of those who participated.
He was known to be a mujahid (warrior) par excellence. In the battle of Uhud, he displayed extraordinary sacrifice and bravery whilst protecting the Nabi of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. In the process of defending Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, Talha radiallahu anhu suffered over 70 wounds to his body and one of his fingers became paralysed as well. Therefore Abu Bakr radiallahu anhu used to say that the day of Uhud belonged to Talha. He was also given the honourable title of ‘THE LIVING MATYR’.
On one occasion, Talha radiallahu anhu received 700 000 Dirhams from one of his business transactions. At night, he was restless and could not sleep. His wife sensed this and tried to ascertain the cause of his anxiety. He explained to her that how can he sleep when all this wealth is in his home. The next morning, he distributed all this wealth between the poor Muhajireen and Ansaar. This is just one incident of the many regarding his generosity which earned him the title of Talha Al- Khair (the possessor of goodness).
The most honourable and enviable virtue which Talha radiallahu anhu had was that he was from amongst those Sahaaba radiallahu anhum who were promised Jannah in one sitting by Nabi sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. These Sahaaba radiallahu anhum were known as the Ashara Mubashara (the 10 Sahaaba who were given the glad tidings of Jannah in this world). May Allah Ta’ala bless us with their companionship in the hereafter.
