This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi's book Sahi Fazail-e-Amaal.
There were some battles in which, at one point, only Sayyiduna Abu Talha (may Allah be pleased with him) was with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that during the Battle of Uhud, the Companions fled from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). At that time, Abu Talha was shielding the Prophet (peace be upon him) with his shield, and Sayyiduna Abu Talha was a powerful archer and expert in using the bow. In Uhud, he broke two or three bows due to his archery. Whenever someone passed in front of the Prophet (peace be upon him) carrying a quiver of arrows, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would say: أنشرها لأبي طلحة "Scatter these arrows in front of Abu Talha."
And the Noble Messenger (peace be upon him) would stand and look towards the disbelievers. Abu Talha (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
بأبي أنت وأمي لا تشرف يصبك سهم من سهام القوم ، نحري دون نحرك
"May my parents be sacrificed for you, do not look towards them, lest an arrow from the enemy hits you. My chest is ready before your chest (let the incoming arrow hit me, not you)."
Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I saw Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) and Umm Salim (may Allah be pleased with her) removing cloth from their calves. I could see the ornaments on their calves, and they were running carrying water skins on their backs. They would pour water on the wounded, then return, refill the skins, and bring water again to give to the wounded. Two or three times, swords had fallen from Abu Talha’s hands.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Military Expeditions, Chapter: Battle of Uhud, Number: 4064.
◈ Spending Your Best Wealth:
Sayyiduna Abu Talha (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah! Allah Almighty says:
﴿لَن تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ﴾
”You will never attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love.“
Reference: (3-Al Imran:92)
And my most beloved wealth is dates, which I give in charity for the sake of Allah and hope for its reward from Allah.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Zakat, Chapter on Zakat on Relatives, Hadith No: 1461.
◈ Avoiding Doubtful Matters:
Once Sayyiduna Abu Talha (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered a man to remove a sheet from underneath him. Sayyiduna Sahl bin Hunayf (may Allah be pleased with him) was sitting nearby and asked why? He replied: It has a picture on it, and you know what the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said about pictures. He said: But you did not forbid pictures on cloth. He said: Yes! But this is what gives peace to my heart.”
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Book of Clothing, Hadith No: 1750 -
Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) declared it authentic.
