Al-Matalib al-'Aliyah 4026 — The virtue of Abu Talhah

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that Sayyiduna Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) recited Surah Bara'ah, and when he reached this verse: "Go forth, whether light or heavy" [Surah al-Tawbah: 41], he said: "Do I not see that my Lord is commanding me to go forth (in every state), in youth and in old age? Prepare my equipment for the journey." His sons said: "You took part in the campaigns with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) until he (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, then you fought in jihad with Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) until he too passed away, then you took part in jihad in the time of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) as well; so now we will fight in jihad in your place." He said (insistently): "Prepare my equipment for the journey." So they prepared his equipment, and he set out on a sea voyage, during which he passed away. For seven days they could find no island on which to bury him; then when he was buried after seven days, no change had come over his blessed body.
Imam Abu Ya'la said: Abd al-Rahman bin Sallam narrated it to us, from Hammad, with this same chain. Imam Ibn Hibban declared this hadith sahih (authentic).