Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
The permissibility of two warriors defending themselves with a single shield is established, as was done by Abu Talhah (radi Allahu anhu).
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would raise his gaze to see where the arrow landed in order to ascertain the success of his marksmanship, and also to encourage him.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
Some people believe that the use of war equipment such as shields, etc., is contrary to reliance upon Allah (tawakkul).
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah wishes to refute them, clarifying that such actions are not against tawakkul, because these implements were used in the presence of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.
Although taking precautions cannot repel what is decreed (qadar), nevertheless, whispers (waswasah) find their way into human nature, and by taking precautions, the path for such whispers is closed.
➋
From this hadith, the permissibility is established for two warriors to protect themselves with a single shield.

Hadith Commentary:
This refers to Abu Talhah radi Allahu anhu, the renowned Ansari warrior who fulfilled the right of serving the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam with such steadfastness during the Battle of Uhud that his service will be remembered with pride in the history of Islam until the Day of Judgment. From this hadith, it is also understood that, at times of war and jihad, the services of women hold great importance. Tending to the wounded and looking after the needs of the warriors for food—these are the heroic deeds of the women of Islam, which will be written in golden letters on the pages of history. However, the women of Islam used to perform these services while fully observing the requirements of Islamic hijab (proper covering according to Sharia).

Hadith Commentary:
➊
Abu Talhah (radi Allahu anhu) defended the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) with great bravery and steadfastness on the occasion of the Battle of Uhud and rendered service to him. These services will be remembered until the Day of Judgment.

➋
The services of the women of Islam in the Islamic battles also hold great significance. Since this was a time of war and distress, if a woman's shins became uncovered in such circumstances, there was no harm in it; moreover, at that time the rulings regarding veiling (hijab) had not yet been revealed. The women of Islam would tend to the wounded and arrange water for drinking in such situations. These achievements are recorded in the pages of history in golden letters.

Hadith Commentary:
The achievements of the women of Islam on the battlefield will also be remembered for all time to come.
It is also understood from this that, in cases of dire necessity, it is permissible for the women of Islam to go out of their homes and work, provided that they observe the prescribed Islamic covering (shar‘i hijab).
Their shins being exposed during battle was due to extreme necessity.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
In the previous hadith, the mention was of Talhah bin Ubaydullah (radi Allahu anhu), and he is among the Muhajirun (Emigrants).
In this hadith, the mention of Talhah is praiseworthy; his name is Zayd bin Sahl.
He is the stepfather of Anas (radi Allahu anhu) and the esteemed husband of Umm Sulaym (radi Allahu anha).

➋
At the end of the hadith, it is mentioned that during the Battle of Uhud, his sword fell from his hand two or three times.
The reason for the sword falling is not mentioned in this narration, but in Sahih Muslim it is stated that Allah, the Exalted, cast drowsiness upon the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum ajma'in) during the very midst of battle so that they might find relief from their wounds.
In this state of drowsiness, swords fell from their hands.
Among these individuals was Abu Talhah (radi Allahu anhu), whose sword also fell from his hand.
(Sahih Muslim, al-Jihad, Hadith: 4683. )
Abu Talhah (radi Allahu anhu) himself states that drowsiness overcame him and his sword fell from his hand several times.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Maghazi, Hadith: 4088. )
Further details will be mentioned ahead,
by the permission of Allah, the Exalted.

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
(1)
Mujawwib 'alayh:
He was shielding you,
protecting you from the people.
(2)
Shadid al-naz‘:
He was extremely swift,
he would shoot arrows with great force.
(3)
Al-ja‘bah:
Quiver,
in which arrows are kept.
(4)
Unthurha:
Take out the arrows from the quiver and place them before Abu Talhah,
so that he may shoot them at the enemy.
(5)
Nahri doona nahrik:
My chest is a shield for you,
I sacrifice myself for you,
khadam,
plural of khidmah (service).
(6)
Khalkhal:
Anklet.
(7)
Saq:
Shin (lower leg).

Benefits and Issues:
The incident of seeing the anklets of ‘A’ishah radi Allahu anha and Umm Sulaym radi Allahu anha occurred during the Battle of Uhud.
At that time, the rulings of hijab had not yet been revealed,
therefore, it was not forbidden to look at women.
Also, Anas radi Allahu anhu was the special servant of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam,
he would frequently come and go in his house, and Umm Sulaym was his mother,
so there was no need for him to avert his gaze from her,
his glance happened to fall upon her anklet suddenly.
Moreover, the state of peace cannot be analogized to the state of war.