Hazrat Talha bin Ubaidullah RaḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) belonged to the Banu Taym clan of Quraish tribe (Banu Tayam qabila or tribe). He embraced Islam while he was just a teenager. He was invited to Islam by his clansman Abu Bakr RaḍyAllāhu 'anhu.
When Holy Prophet HazratMuhammad ﷺ proclaimed his prophetic mission, Hazrat
Talha RaḍyAllāhu 'anhu had already prepared himself
for its acceptance, and so he appeared with Abu Bakr Siddique before the Holy
Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ, and embraced Islam. He faced difficulties
together with Abu Bakr (RA), as both had not been protected by their clan Banu
Taym.
Hazrat Talha RaḍyAllāhu 'anhu is counted among the ten blessed
companions (Ashra-e-Mubashira). Talha emigrated to Madinah for the cause of
Islam and devoted all his wealth and energies to protect and promote Islam. He
was known equally for his bravery, piety and generosity. For this, he was
awarded the titles of Talhah al-Khair (Talhah the Benevolent), and Talhah
al-Fayyaz (Talhah the Generous) by Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ.
Some of the significant contributions of Talha for Islam
In the battle of Badr, Hazrat
Talha RaḍyAllāhu 'anhu was appointed to keep an eye on
the movement of caravans from Makkah. He performed a heroic task in the battle of
Uhud by saving Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ.
He received twenty-four wounds and lost two fingers while acting as a shield
for Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ.
The Holy Prophet ﷺ wearing, two coats of mail, could not
climb the rock during the battle, and Talha took him on his back and climbed
the rock. The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ
was then heard saying,
Talha had made Paradise certain for himself.
After the battle of Uhud Hazrat
Talha RaḍyAllāhu 'anhu participated in all the battles
led by the Holy Prophet ﷺ He was present at the Bai'at-i-Ridwan and
the Treaty of Hudaibiyah. He played a decisive role in the victory at Hunain. He
provided financial aid in all these battles.
During the caliphate of Abu BakrSiddique (RA) and Hazrat Umar Farooque (RA) he remained an active and important
member of the Islamic Council, and his advice was sought on all important
matters. He was not present at the time of Hazrat Uthman's election, but he
swore allegiance to him after his return to Madinah.
The Holy Prophet ﷺ
arranged Talha's marriage with Hamnah bint Jahash. Talha frequently bore the
burden of rationing for the Muslim army.
During Ali's caliphate Talhah
joined Zubayr bin Awwam RaḍyAllāhu
'anhu and Ayesha RaḍyAllāhu
'anha in the battle of Jamal (camel) in 36 A.H./656 AD. And He was then killed
by Merwan bin Hakam, while he and Zubayr RaḍyAllāhu
'anhu were going to leave the battlefield. He was about 62 at the time of his
death, and left behind immense wealth. The Holy Prophet ﷺ
once said,
If anyone finds pleasure in looking at a martyr walking on the earth let him look at Talha.
He distributed seven hundred
thousand Dirhams among the Ansar and Muhajireen, leaving only one thousand with
his wife,
Importance of Talha bin Ubaidullah in Islam
Hazrat Talha bin Ubaidullah RaḍyAllāhu 'anhu was among the earliest Makkans
who embraced Islam, and then set a noble example of the remaining firm while facing
inhuman persecutions. After Hijra, he contributed in a number of ways to
strengthen the small force of Muslims, especially by fighting against the
pagans and killing them in various battles. In recognition of his services, the
Messenger of Allah granted him the glad tiding of entering Paradise, and
exemption from the Final Accountability- he became one of the 10 blessed
companions.
