Introduction

The actual name of Hazrat Abu Talha Ansari (ra) was Zaid. He belonged to the Ansar tribe of Khazraj and was the chief of his tribe and he was more commonly known by his title of Abu Talha. The name of Hazrat Abu Talha’s (ra) father was Sahl bin Aswad and the name of his mother was Ubada bint Malik. Hazrat Abu Talha (ra) had the opportunity to pledge initiation at the hands of the Holy Prophet (sa) during the second pledge at Aqabah. He participated alongside the Holy Prophet (sa) in all the battles, including the Battle of Badr. When Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra) bin al-Jarrah migrated to Medina, the Holy Prophet (sa) formed a bond of brotherhood between him and Hazrat Abu Talha (ra). Hazrat Abu Talha (ra) was of a wheat colour complexion and of moderate height and he had never dyed his hair or beard; he kept his hair in its natural condition.

(Usdul Ghabah, Vol. 5, pp- 183-184, Abu Talha Ansari (ra), Vol. 2, p. 150, Zaid bin Sahl, Dar-ul-Fikr, Beirut, 2003)