Abu Talhah al-Ansari

Introduction

Abu Talhah was one of the wealthiest men among the Ansar in Madinah. He pledged allegiance at al-Aqabah and fought at Badr. He married Umm Sulaym (according to biographical accounts, after she accepted Islam), and their home became known for hospitality and patience. Anas ibn Malik, the Prophet's servant, was Umm Sulaym's son from her first marriage and was raised by Abu Talhah.

When the verse "you will not attain righteousness until you spend of what you love" came, he gave away Bayruha, the garden he loved most, which lay across from the Prophet's mosque. At Uhud, when many left the field, he stood shielding the Prophet with his shield and shooting with strong bows, telling the Prophet that his own chest would take the arrows instead.

After the Prophet's death he fasted nearly every day except the two Eids, as Anas reports. He died during Uthman's caliphate according to the common report.

The story

1. Before 1 AH

   Attended the second pledge at al-Aqabah (biographical sources).

2. Early Madinah

   Married Umm Sulaym, and raised her son Anas; took Anas to the Prophet to serve him.

   • Sahih al-Bukhari 2768Sahih (opens in a new tab)

   Read the wording

   Arabic text

   … اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمَدِينَةَ لَيْسَ لَهُ خَادِمٌ، فَأَخَذَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ بِيَدِي، فَانْطَلَقَ بِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَنَسًا غُلاَمٌ كَيِّسٌ، فَلْيَخْدُمْكَ. قَالَ فَخَدَمْتُهُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَالْحَضَرِ، مَا قَالَ لِي لِشَىْءٍ صَنَعْتُهُ لِمَ صَنَعْتَ هَذَا هَكَذَا وَلاَ لِشَىْءٍ لَمْ أَصْنَعْهُ لِمَ لَمْ تَصْنَعْ هَذَا …

   “Anas is a wise boy, so let him serve you”

   Grade: Sahih

   • Read on sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Read on al-Hadees (opens in a new tab)

3. 3 AH, Uhud

   Shielded the Prophet with his shield and fought with his bow.

   • Sahih al-Bukhari 3811Sahih (opens in a new tab)

   Read the wording

   Arabic text

   … أُحُدٍ انْهَزَمَ النَّاسُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَبُو طَلْحَةَ بَيْنَ يَدَىِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مُجَوِّبٌ بِهِ عَلَيْهِ بِحَجَفَةٍ لَهُ، وَكَانَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ رَجُلاً رَامِيًا شَدِيدَ الْقِدِّ، يَكْسِرُ يَوْمَئِذٍ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلاَثًا، وَكَانَ الرَّجُلُ يَمُرُّ مَعَهُ الْجَعْبَةُ مِنَ النَّبْلِ فَيَقُولُ انْشُرْهَا لأَبِي طَلْحَةَ. فَأَشْرَفَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله …

   “Abu Talha was shielding the Prophet (ﷺ) with his shield in front of him”

   Grade: Sahih

   • Read on sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Read on al-Hadees (opens in a new tab)

4. After 3:92 was revealed

   Gave Bayruha in charity, then distributed it to relatives on the Prophet's advice.

   • Sahih al-Bukhari 1461Sahih (opens in a new tab)

   Read the wording

   Arabic text

   … لِلَّهِ أَرْجُو بِرَّهَا وَذُخْرَهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ، فَضَعْهَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ حَيْثُ أَرَاكَ اللَّهُ. قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم" بَخْ، ذَلِكَ مَالٌ رَابِحٌ، ذَلِكَ مَالٌ رَابِحٌ، وَقَدْ سَمِعْتُ مَا قُلْتَ وَإِنِّي أَرَى أَنْ تَجْعَلَهَا فِي الأَقْرَبِينَ". فَقَالَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ أَفْعَلُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ. فَقَسَمَهَا أَبُو طَلْحَةَ فِي أَقَارِبِهِ …

   “I want to give it in charity in Allah's Cause”

   Grade: Sahih

   • Read on sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Read on al-Hadees (opens in a new tab)

5. After 11 AH

   Fasted continuously apart from the two Eids.

   • Sahih al-Bukhari 2828Sahih (opens in a new tab)

   Read the wording

   Arabic text

   قَالَ كَانَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ لاَ يَصُومُ عَلَى عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ أَجْلِ الْغَزْوِ، فَلَمَّا قُبِضَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَمْ أَرَهُ مُفْطِرًا، إِلاَّ يَوْمَ فِطْرٍ أَوْ أَضْحَى.

   “after the Prophet (ﷺ) died I never saw him without fasting except on `Id-ul-Fitr and `Id-ul-Adha”

   Grade: Sahih

   • Read on sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Read on al-Hadees (opens in a new tab)

6. c. 34 AH

   Died in Uthman's caliphate (reports differ on date and place).

A day in their footsteps

7 small, repeatable practices from Abu Talhah al-Ansari's life. Each comes with the Arabic text and English wording of its source, and links to read the full report.

1. 1

   Giving what you love

   • Charity

   When the verse about spending from what one loves was revealed, Abu Talhah said Bayruha was the dearest of his properties and gave it in the way of Allah. The Prophet told him to give it to his relatives, and he did.

   Try this today

   Give something you truly love, and think of your relatives first.

   Sit with this

   What do you own that you love too much to give away?

   Sources

   … وَإِنَّ أَحَبَّ أَمْوَالِي إِلَىَّ بَيْرُحَاءَ، وَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ لِلَّهِ أَرْجُو بِرَّهَا وَذُخْرَهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ، فَضَعْهَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ حَيْثُ أَرَاكَ اللَّهُ. قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم" بَخْ، ذَلِكَ مَالٌ رَابِحٌ، ذَلِكَ مَالٌ رَابِحٌ، وَقَدْ سَمِعْتُ مَا قُلْتَ وَإِنِّي أَرَى أَنْ تَجْعَلَهَا فِي الأَقْرَبِينَ". فَقَالَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ أَفْعَلُ يَا …

   “Bairuha' garden is the most beloved of all my property to me”

   Grade: Sahih

   • Read on sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Read on al-Hadees (opens in a new tab)

   لَن تَنَالُوا۟ ٱلْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِن شَىْءٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ

   “Ye will not attain unto piety until ye spend of that which ye love”

   Surah Aal-i-Imraan

   • Read on quran.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Tafsir Ibn Kathir (opens in a new tab)
   • Read on Tanzil (opens in a new tab)

2. 2

   Fasting after the Prophet's death

   • Fasting

   During the Prophet's life, Abu Talhah did not fast much since he was often on campaign. After the Prophet died, Anas never saw him without fasting except on the two Eids.

   Try this today

   Keep a regular voluntary fast, for example Mondays and Thursdays.

   Sit with this

   What good deed could you take up now that an old excuse no longer applies?

   Source

   قَالَ كَانَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ لاَ يَصُومُ عَلَى عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ أَجْلِ الْغَزْوِ، فَلَمَّا قُبِضَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَمْ أَرَهُ مُفْطِرًا، إِلاَّ يَوْمَ فِطْرٍ أَوْ أَضْحَى.

   “after the Prophet (ﷺ) died I never saw him without fasting except on `Id-ul-Fitr and `Id-ul-Adha”

   Grade: Sahih

   • Read on sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Read on al-Hadees (opens in a new tab)

3. 3

   Standing by the Prophet in danger

   • Courage
   • Service

   At Uhud, as the lines broke, Abu Talhah stood in front of the Prophet with his shield, shooting from behind it, and asked the Prophet not to raise his head for fear of an arrow. He wanted his own chest to take it instead.

   Try this today

   Be the one who stays when others leave, when someone needs you.

   Sit with this

   When someone you love is in difficulty, are you the one who stays?

   Source

   … لاَ تُشْرِفْ يُصِيبُكَ سَهْمٌ مِنْ سِهَامِ الْقَوْمِ، نَحْرِي دُونَ نَحْرِكَ. وَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ عَائِشَةَ بِنْتَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَأُمَّ سُلَيْمٍ وَإِنَّهُمَا لَمُشَمِّرَتَانِ، أَرَى خَدَمَ سُوقِهِمَا، تُنْقِزَانِ الْقِرَبَ عَلَى مُتُونِهِمَا، تُفْرِغَانِهِ فِي أَفْوَاهِ الْقَوْمِ، ثُمَّ تَرْجِعَانِ فَتَمْلآنِهَا، ثُمَّ تَجِيآنِ فَتُفْرِغَانِهِ فِي أَفْوَاهِ الْقَوْمِ، وَلَقَدْ وَقَعَ …

   “Let my neck and chest be wounded instead of yours”

   Grade: Sahih

   • Read on sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Read on al-Hadees (opens in a new tab)

4. 4

   Calm in the face of fear

   • Courage
   • Trust in Allah
   • Remembrance

   On the battlefield at Uhud, a gentle drowsiness overtook the believers while the sword dropped from Abu Talhah's hand again and again. He took it as the peace Allah sent down.

   Try this today

   In fear, steady yourself with dhikr and trust that Allah can send calm.

   Sit with this

   Where could remembrance of Allah bring calm to a fear you carry?

   Sources

   وَقَالَ لِي خَلِيفَةُ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، عَنْ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كُنْتُ فِيمَنْ تَغَشَّاهُ النُّعَاسُ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ، حَتَّى سَقَطَ سَيْفِي مِنْ يَدِي مِرَارًا، يَسْقُطُ وَآخُذُهُ، وَيَسْقُطُ فَآخُذُهُ.

   “I was amongst those who were overtaken by slumber until my sword fell from my hand on several occasions”

   Grade: Sahih

   • Read on sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Read on al-Hadees (opens in a new tab)

   ثُمَّ أَنزَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلْغَمِّ أَمَنَةً نُّعَاسًا يَغْشَىٰ طَآئِفَةً مِّنكُمْ وَطَآئِفَةٌ قَدْ أَهَمَّتْهُمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ يَظُنُّونَ بِٱللَّهِ غَيْرَ ٱلْحَقِّ ظَنَّ ٱلْجَٰهِلِيَّةِ يَقُولُونَ هَل لَّنَا مِنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ مِن شَىْءٍ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْأَمْرَ كُلَّهُۥ لِلَّهِ يُخْفُونَ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِم مَّا لَا يُبْدُونَ لَكَ يَقُولُونَ لَوْ كَانَ لَنَا مِنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ شَىْءٌ مَّا قُتِلْنَا …

   “As slumber did it overcome a party of you”

   Surah Aal-i-Imraan

   • Read on quran.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Tafsir Ibn Kathir (opens in a new tab)
   • Read on Tanzil (opens in a new tab)

5. 5

   Feeding the Prophet and his guests

   • Charity
   • Service

   When Abu Talhah heard weakness in the Prophet's voice from hunger, he asked Umm Sulaym for food. When the Prophet arrived with a group, they had little but served it with trust, and it sufficed for all.

   Try this today

   Feed someone who is hungry before you worry about whether you have enough.

   Sit with this

   Is there someone you could feed before you are sure you have enough?

   Source

   … سَمِعْتُ صَوْتَ، رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ضَعِيفًا، أَعْرِفُ فِيهِ الْجُوعَ فَهَلْ عِنْدَكِ مِنْ شَىْءٍ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ. فَأَخْرَجَتْ أَقْرَاصًا مِنْ شَعِيرٍ، ثُمَّ أَخْرَجَتْ خِمَارًا لَهَا فَلَفَّتِ الْخُبْزَ بِبَعْضِهِ، ثُمَّ دَسَّتْهُ تَحْتَ يَدِي وَلاَثَتْنِي بِبَعْضِهِ، ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَتْنِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ فَذَهَبْتُ بِهِ، فَوَجَدْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ …

   “I have noticed feebleness in the voice of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) which I think, is caused by hunger”

   Grade: Sahih

   • Read on sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Read on al-Hadees (opens in a new tab)

6. 6

   Patience at the loss of a child

   • Patience
   • Family

   When their sick son died while Abu Talhah was out, Umm Sulaym calmed him until morning before telling him. The Prophet then prayed for a blessing on their night, and she gave birth to a son they named Abdullah.

   Try this today

   When loss comes, respond with patience and trust that Allah will replace it.

   Sit with this

   How do you want to respond when Allah takes back something He lent you?

   Source

   … اللَّيْلَةَ". قَالَ نَعَمْ. قَالَ" اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَهُمَا". فَوَلَدَتْ غُلاَمًا قَالَ لِي أَبُو طَلْحَةَ احْفَظْهُ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَ بِهِ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَتَى بِهِ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَرْسَلَتْ مَعَهُ بِتَمَرَاتٍ، فَأَخَذَهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ" أَمَعَهُ شَىْءٌ". قَالُوا نَعَمْ تَمَرَاتٌ. فَأَخَذَهَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم …

   “O Allah! Bestow your blessing on them as regards that night of theirs”

   Grade: Sahih

   • Read on sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Read on al-Hadees (opens in a new tab)

7. 7

   Obeying immediately

   • Following the Sunnah

   When the prohibition of alcohol was announced, Abu Talhah told Anas to go and pour out the wine in the house. It was seen running through the streets of Madinah. He did not delay or argue.

   Try this today

   When you learn something is forbidden, act on it the same day.

   Sit with this

   What would you change today if you treated a ruling as urgent?

   Source

   … مَا هَذَا الصَّوْتُ قَالَ فَخَرَجْتُ فَقُلْتُ هَذَا مُنَادٍ يُنَادِي أَلاَ إِنَّ الْخَمْرَ قَدْ حُرِّمَتْ. فَقَالَ لِي اذْهَبْ فَأَهْرِقْهَا. قَالَ فَجَرَتْ فِي سِكَكِ الْمَدِينَةِ. قَالَ وَكَانَتْ خَمْرُهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْفَضِيخَ فَقَالَ بَعْضُ الْقَوْمِ قُتِلَ قَوْمٌ وَهْىَ فِي بُطُونِهِمْ قَالَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ{لَيْسَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ جُنَاحٌ فِيمَا …

   “Abu Talha said to me, "Go and spill it (i.e. the wine)."”

   Grade: Sahih

   • Read on sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
   • Read on al-Hadees (opens in a new tab)

Virtues

• The Prophet told his Companions to empty their quivers in front of Abu Talhah, such was his archery.

  “Empty it in front of Abu Talha”

  Arabic text

  … وَكَانَ الرَّجُلُ يَمُرُّ مَعَهُ الْجَعْبَةُ مِنَ النَّبْلِ فَيَقُولُ انْشُرْهَا لأَبِي طَلْحَةَ. فَأَشْرَفَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَنْظُرُ إِلَى الْقَوْمِ، فَيَقُولُ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي، لاَ تُشْرِفْ يُصِيبُكَ سَهْمٌ مِنْ سِهَامِ الْقَوْمِ، نَحْرِي دُونَ نَحْرِكَ. وَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ عَائِشَةَ بِنْتَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَأُمَّ سُلَيْمٍ وَإِنَّهُمَا …

  Sahih al-Bukhari 3811Sahih

  • Read on sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
  • Read on al-Hadees (opens in a new tab)

• Anas, who grew up in his house, served the Prophet for years thanks to Abu Talhah's introduction.

  “Abu Talha (Anas' step-father) took me to Allah's Messenger”

  Arabic text

  … اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمَدِينَةَ لَيْسَ لَهُ خَادِمٌ، فَأَخَذَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ بِيَدِي، فَانْطَلَقَ بِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَنَسًا غُلاَمٌ كَيِّسٌ، فَلْيَخْدُمْكَ. قَالَ فَخَدَمْتُهُ فِي السَّفَرِ وَالْحَضَرِ، مَا قَالَ لِي لِشَىْءٍ صَنَعْتُهُ لِمَ صَنَعْتَ هَذَا هَكَذَا وَلاَ لِشَىْءٍ لَمْ أَصْنَعْهُ لِمَ لَمْ تَصْنَعْ هَذَا …

  Sahih al-Bukhari 2768Sahih

  • Read on sunnah.com (opens in a new tab)
  • Read on al-Hadees (opens in a new tab)

Sayings and moments

• To the Prophet, offering Bayruha: he hoped for its reward from Allah.

  “I expect its reward from Allah”

  Arabic text

  … عِنْدَ اللَّهِ، فَضَعْهَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ حَيْثُ أَرَاكَ اللَّهُ. قَالَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم" بَخْ، ذَلِكَ مَالٌ رَابِحٌ، ذَلِكَ مَالٌ رَابِحٌ، وَقَدْ سَمِعْتُ مَا قُلْتَ وَإِنِّي أَرَى أَنْ تَجْعَلَهَا فِي الأَقْرَبِينَ". فَقَالَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ أَفْعَلُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ. فَقَسَمَهَا أَبُو طَلْحَةَ فِي أَقَارِبِهِ وَبَنِي عَمِّهِ. تَابَعَهُ رَوْحٌ. وَقَالَ …

  Sahih al-Bukhari 1461Sahih

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• At Uhud he asked the Prophet to keep his head down, offering his own chest in his place.

  “Let my neck and chest be wounded instead of yours”

  Arabic text

  … لاَ تُشْرِفْ يُصِيبُكَ سَهْمٌ مِنْ سِهَامِ الْقَوْمِ، نَحْرِي دُونَ نَحْرِكَ. وَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ عَائِشَةَ بِنْتَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَأُمَّ سُلَيْمٍ وَإِنَّهُمَا لَمُشَمِّرَتَانِ، أَرَى خَدَمَ سُوقِهِمَا، تُنْقِزَانِ الْقِرَبَ عَلَى مُتُونِهِمَا، تُفْرِغَانِهِ فِي أَفْوَاهِ الْقَوْمِ، ثُمَّ تَرْجِعَانِ فَتَمْلآنِهَا، ثُمَّ تَجِيآنِ فَتُفْرِغَانِهِ فِي أَفْوَاهِ الْقَوْمِ، وَلَقَدْ وَقَعَ …

  Sahih al-Bukhari 3811Sahih

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Words on this page

Ansarالأنصار

"The Helpers": the Muslims of Madinah, from the Aws and Khazraj tribes, who welcomed and sheltered the Prophet ﷺ and the emigrants from Makkah.

Aqabahالعقبة

A pass near Mina where people of Madinah pledged allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ before the Hijrah, in two pledges a year apart.

Badrبدر

The first major battle between the Muslims and Quraysh, in 2 AH. Those who fought there hold a special rank among the Companions.

Dhikrذكر

Remembrance of Allah, especially by repeating short phrases of praise and glorification.

Madinahالمدينة

The city, formerly Yathrib, to which the Prophet ﷺ migrated and where the first Muslim community was built.

Uhudأحد

The mountain outside Madinah where the Muslims fought Quraysh in 3 AH, and where Hamzah and many others were martyred.

The full glossary

Related companions

• أنس بن مالكAnas ibn MalikThe Prophet's young attendant for ten years, who reported his conduct with remarkable patience and detail.
• أم سليم بنت ملحانUmm Sulaym bint MilhanUmm Sulaym bint Milhan, early Ansari convert and mother of Anas: patient, generous, brave and clear in asking…
• عمر بن الخطابUmar ibn al-KhattabUmar ibn al-Khattab, al-Faruq and second caliph: his night prayer, justice, generosity and respect for the Bo…
• أبو بكر الصديقAbu Bakr al-SiddiqThe Prophet's closest companion and first caliph, remembered for truthfulness, tender-hearted worship and giv…