64/18. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4064 — Abu Talha Shielded the Prophet
“…but Allah was their Wali.”
Abu Talha Shielded the Prophet at Uhud: Protection and Service
Sahih Bukhari : 4064
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4064
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مَعْمَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ لَمَّا كَانَ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ انْهَزَمَ النَّاسُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَبُو طَلْحَةَ بَيْنَ يَدَىِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مُجَوِّبٌ عَلَيْهِ بِحَجَفَةٍ لَهُ، وَكَانَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ رَجُلاً رَامِيًا شَدِيدَ النَّزْعِ، كَسَرَ يَوْمَئِذٍ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلاَثًا، وَكَانَ الرَّجُلُ يَمُرُّ مَعَهُ بِجَعْبَةٍ مِنَ النَّبْلِ فَيَقُولُ انْثُرْهَا لأَبِي طَلْحَةَ. قَالَ وَيُشْرِفُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَنْظُرُ إِلَى الْقَوْمِ، فَيَقُولُ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي، لاَ تُشْرِفْ يُصِيبُكَ سَهْمٌ مِنْ سِهَامِ الْقَوْمِ، نَحْرِي دُونَ نَحْرِكَ. وَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ عَائِشَةَ بِنْتَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَأُمَّ سُلَيْمٍ، وَإِنَّهُمَا لَمُشَمِّرَتَانِ أَرَى خَدَمَ سُوقِهِمَا تَنْقُزَانِ الْقِرَبَ عَلَى مُتُونِهِمَا، تُفْرِغَانِهِ فِي أَفْوَاهِ الْقَوْمِ ثُمَّ تَرْجِعَانِ فَتَمْلآنِهَا، ثُمَّ تَجِيئَانِ فَتُفْرِغَانِهِ فِي أَفْوَاهِ الْقَوْمِ، وَلَقَدْ وَقَعَ السَّيْفُ مِنْ يَدَىْ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ إِمَّا مَرَّتَيْنِ وَإِمَّا ثَلاَثًا.
Anas Narrated from:
When it was the day of Uhud, the people left the Prophet (ﷺ) while Abu Talha was in front of the Prophet (ﷺ) shielding him with his leather shield. Abu Talha was a skillful archer who used to shoot violently. He broke two or three arrow bows on that day. If a man carrying a quiver full of arrows passed by, the Prophet would say (to him), put (scatter) its contents for Abu Talha."The Prophet (ﷺ) would raise his head to look at the enemy, whereupon Abu Talha would say, "Let my father and mother be sacrificed for you ! Do not raise your head, lest an arrow of the enemy should hit you. (Let) my neck (be struck) rather than your neck."I saw `Aisha, the daughter of Abu Bakr, and Um Sulaim rolling up their dresses so that I saw their leg-bangles while they were carrying water skins on their backs and emptying them in the mouths of the (wounded) people. They would return to refill them and again empty them in the mouths of the (wounded) people. The sword fell from Abu Talha's hand twice or thrice (on that day).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4064In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 109USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 393
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4064
This detailed Battle of Uhud hadith shows several acts of service in one scene. Abu Talha stood in front of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), shielding him with a leather shield. He was a strong archer, and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told others to scatter arrows for him. When the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) raised his head to look at the enemy, Abu Talha asked him not to raise it, fearing an arrow might strike him. He even said his own neck should be struck instead. The same report mentions `Aisha and Umm Sulaim carrying water skins, filling them, and giving water to the wounded. The hadith teaches protection, courage, and care for the injured, all within one hard day at Uhud.
What we learn from this hadith
- Abu Talha protected the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) with his shield and body.
- `Aisha and Umm Sulaim served the wounded by carrying and giving water.
- Different forms of service were needed during the hardship of Uhud.
- Skill, courage, and care all had a place in that moment.
