Demise of his Son & The Holy Prophet's (sa) Prayers for his Offspring
Hazrat Anas bin Malik (ra) states that a child of Hazrat Abu Talha (ra) was ill and when he left the house, the child passed away. When he returned home, he enquired about the health of the child from his wife, Hazrat Umm-e-Sulaim (ra). She replied, “He is now in more comfort than before.” She then gave him dinner and after spending the night together she informed him of the passing of their child and that he ought to go and bury him. Thus, in the morning, Hazrat Abu Talha (ra) mentioned the entire incident to the Holy Prophet (sa), who then prayed for his offspring. Hence after this incident he was blessed with a son.
(Sahih Muslim, Kitabul Adab, Bab al-Istihbaab Tuhannik al-Maulud…, Hadith 2144)
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) explains this incident in the following manner: “It is not difficult for a believer to sacrifice his life [for the sake of God]”. He then said, “With regard to [Asadullah] Ghalib, there are varying opinions about whether or not he used to drink alcohol.” Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) then says, “He was related to us and I have heard from my grandmothers and [paternal] aunts that he used to drink alcohol. Even a person who was addicted to alcohol could compose the following verses:
جان دی دی ہوئی اسی کی تھی
حق تو یہ ہے کہ حق ادا نہ ہوا
[Though I gave my life for Him, ‘twas His in any case; To speak the truth, I could not repay my dues to Him.]
In other words, if one were to offer their life in the way of Allah the Almighty, it is not an extraordinary feat, for even this life itself was, after all, granted by Him. Hence, to sacrifice one’s life in accordance with the commandment of God Almighty is not considered as a huge sacrifice, because after all his very life belonged to God and thus to return something which one has been entrusted with temporarily does not constitute a sacrifice.”
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states:
“There is an account recorded in the Ahadith [traditions of the Holy Prophet (sa)] regarding a female companion of the Holy Prophet (sa), Umme Sulaim (ra). The Holy Prophet (sa) had tasked her husband, Abu Talha (ra), with some religious duties for which he had to travel outside of the city. At the time, their child was unwell and, naturally, he was very concerned about the condition of the child. When the companion returned, the child had passed away in his absence. The mother placed a sheet of cloth over the child’s body and readied herself by taking a bath and put on some perfume. Then, whilst displaying great courage, she welcomed her husband home. Upon arriving, the companion immediately enquired about the child’s health and she replied that the child was completely at rest. The companion then contently ate his meal, took some rest and also spent the night with his wife.
“It was only after this that the wife then stated, ‘I would like to ask something from you.’ ‘What is it you wish to ask?’ said the husband. His wife then stated, ‘If someone entrusts you with something and then after a while wishes to take it back, should that be returned to him or not?’ Her husband replied, ‘Which foolish person will not return that which was only kept with him as a trust.’ But after all, one may be a little saddened since they have to return it’, said his wife. The husband replied, ‘Why should one be saddened; it was not his to begin with, therefore there is no question of expressing any sadness over it.’ The wife stated, ‘Well, if that is the case then God Almighty, Who only granted this child to us as a trust, has now taken it back.’ Such was the courage and steadfastness that was displayed by the women in that time. Thus, to offer one’s life is not something significant, particularly for a Momin [a believer].”
(Taqrir Jalsa Salana Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Lahore 1984, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 21, pp. 53-54)
According to the aforementioned Hadith it states that the Holy Prophet (sa) prayed for them and as a result, they were blessed with many children. They were granted a son very soon after this incident and were granted with so many blessings that according to an Ansari companion’s narration, he saw nine sons of Hazrat Abu Talha (ra) and all of them were Qaris [reciters of the Holy Quran].
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitabul Jana‘iz, Bab man lam Yudhhir Huzunahu indal Musibah, Hadith 1301)