Hazrat Talha's (ra) Pledge of Allegiance to Hazrat Ali (ra)
With regard to whether or not Hazrat Talha (ra), Hazrat Zubair (ra) and Hazrat Aisha (ra) pledged their allegiance to Hazrat Ali (ra), Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) discusses this matter in one of his speeches in which he responds to the allegations of Khawaja Kamaluddin Sahib. This reference is of vital significance. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) stated:
“Do not come under the impression that Hazrat Talha (ra), Hazrat Zubair (ra) and Hazrat Aisha (ra) did not take the pledge of allegiance and hold this as an argument in your favour.” Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) is responding to Khawaja Kamaluddin Sahib. “They did not reject his [i.e., Hazrat Ali’s] Khilafat, rather their issue was with regard to the killers of Hazrat Uthman (ra). I also say to you that whoever told you that these individuals did not pledge their allegiance to Hazrat Ali (ra) is mistaken. Hazrat Aisha (ra) went and sat in Medina as she confessed her error and Hazrat Talha (ra) and Hazrat Zubair (ra) did not pass away till they pledged their allegiance. In this regard, some historical references are presented below.”
It is mentioned in Khasa‘is Kubra, volume 2:
“Hakim narrates that Thaur bin Majzaa narrated an incident to me, saying, ‘On the day of the Battle of the Camel I passed by Hazrat Talha(ra) when he was in a state close to death.’ He asked me, ‘Which group are you from?’ I answered, ‘I am from the party of Hazrat Ali (ra), the Leader of the Believers.’ He then said, ‘Then extend your hand so that I may take the oath at your hand.’ So he pledged his allegiance at my hand and then passed away. I related the entire incident to Hazrat Ali (ra). Having heard this, he said, ‘Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]! The Messenger (sa) of Allah has spoken the truth! God Almighty did not wish for Hazrat Talha (ra) to enter paradise without first pledging his allegiance to me. He was among the ten people vouchsafed paradise.’
“… Once, the Battle of the Camel was mentioned in the presence of Hazrat Aisha (ra). She said, ‘Do the people speak about the Battle of the Camel?’ One person replied, ‘Yes, that is what we are discussing’. Hazrat Aisha (ra) then said, ‘Alas, if only I remained sat like the people who remained behind that day. This would have pleased me more than if I had 10 children from the Holy Prophet (sa), each of whom were like Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Harith bin Hisham.’
“… Furthermore, Hazrat Talha (ra) and Hazrat Zubair (ra) are from among the Ashara Mubashara who were given the glad tidings of entering paradise by the Holy Prophet (sa). Indeed, the Holy Prophet’s glad tiding is certain to be fulfilled. In addition to this they later repented for separating themselves.”
(al-Qaul-ul-Fasl, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 2, pp. 318-319)
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) has also mentioned this account.