طَلْحَةُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّه
رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ
Talhah ibn Ubaydullah
Shielded the Prophet ﷺ at Uhud · Early Muslim · Muhajir
may Allah be pleased with him
Quraysh — Banu Taym · Makkah and Madinah, up to 36 AH
An early Muslim of Makkah who shielded the Prophet ﷺ with his own body at Uhud and carried the injury for the rest of his life. He is remembered for that day and for a generosity that became proverbial.
Known for
Named among the Ten given glad tidings of Paradise
He shielded the Prophet ﷺ at Uhud
When the Muslim line broke, he stayed. His hand was struck defending the Prophet ﷺ and never worked properly again.
He accepted Islam through Abu Bakr
He was among the men of Makkah whom Abu Bakr brought to the Prophet ﷺ in the earliest years.
He was known for his generosity
The reports attach honorific names to him for it — the good, the open-handed — given on different occasions.
His story in moments
Short episodes from his life, in order. Read one at a time.
Life & legacy
Makkah
Talhah was of Banu Taym, Abu Bakr's clan, and a merchant by trade. He accepted Islam in the earliest years, among those Abu Bakr brought to the Prophet ﷺ, and was punished for it along with the rest.
He emigrated to Madinah with the community.
Madinah, and after
He missed Badr. The Prophet ﷺ had sent him and Sa'id ibn Zayd out of Madinah on a task, and they returned after the fighting was over; the sources record that they were given a share of what the army received all the same.
At Uhud he was one of the small number who held their ground around the Prophet ﷺ after the line broke. His hand was maimed there.
He lived through the caliphates of Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman, and was one of the six Umar named to choose his successor. He was killed in 36 AH, in the fighting at the Camel.
How the sources describe him
He stayed when staying was the dangerous choice
Open-handed with what he had
Connect
People around him
Alongside
- The Prophet Muhammad ﷺCompanion
He shielded him at Uhud and was maimed doing it.
Of the same clan, Banu Taym, and the man through whom he accepted Islam.
Named with him among the Ten, and among the six Umar left to choose a successor. Both were killed in 36 AH.
Full timeline
- The early Makkan years
Accepts Islam in Makkah, through Abu Bakr
- 2 AH
Sent out of Madinah on a task and misses Badr
He and Sa'id ibn Zayd returned after the fighting and were given a share.
- 3 AH
Shields the Prophet ﷺ at Uhud and is maimed
- 36 AH reports differThe year is agreed; the accounts of how he was killed are not.
Killed in the fighting at the Camel
Part of
Sources & review
In reviewBased on the listed sources. See something to correct? Tell us.
Sahih al-Bukhariصحيح البخاري
Hadith collection · Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari
Jami' at-Tirmidhiجامع الترمذي
Hadith collection · Muhammad ibn 'Isa at-Tirmidhi
As-Sirah an-Nabawiyyahالسيرة النبوية
Classical biography · Ibn Hisham, from the recension of Ibn Ishaq
Kitab at-Tabaqat al-Kabirالطبقات الكبرى
Classical biography · Ibn Sa'd
Tarikh ar-Rusul wa'l-Mulukتاريخ الرسل والملوك
Classical history · Muhammad ibn Jarir at-Tabari
Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz as-Sahabahالإصابة في تمييز الصحابة
Classical biography · Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani
Siyar A'lam an-Nubalaسير أعلام النبلاء
Classical biography · Shams ad-Din adh-Dhahabi
SahabaMate editorial summary
Editorial summary
References follow the citation detail available in the source material.
Notice an error?
If something looks wrong or missing, send a correction and we’ll check it against the listed sources.
Notice an errorWant to remember what you learn about the Sahabah?
Pro adds Smart Review, the full Sahaba Album, adaptive quizzes, learning paths, a Mistake Notebook and personalised daily sessions across both apps.