Martyrdom of Hazrat Talha (ra)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) states:

“Hazrat Talha (ra) remained alive after the demise of the Holy Prophet (sa). After the martyrdom of Hazrat Uthman (ra), dissension began amongst the Muslims. Hazrat Talha (ra), Hazrat Zubair (ra) and Hazrat Aisha (ra) were leaders of the party which was of the opinion that revenge should be immediately sought against those who killed Hazrat Uthman (ra).

“On the other hand, the other party was led by Hazrat Ali (ra) and were of the opinion that man was indeed a mortal being [with reference to Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) martyrdom], but since Muslims had become divided, the foremost need was to unite the Muslims in order to re-establish the glory and grandeur of Islam and revenge could be taken later.

“This disagreement escalated to such an extent that Hazrat Talha (ra), Hazrat Zubair (ra) and Hazrat Aisha (ra) alleged that Hazrat Ali (ra) wanted to grant refuge to those who had martyred Hazrat Uthman (ra). Hazrat Ali (ra), on the other hand, alleged that they were giving preference to their personal interests and were not thinking of what was beneficial to Islam” by insisting to take revenge immediately. “This disagreement went to the most extreme level and resulted in a battle between them; a battle in which Hazrat Aisha (ra) took command of one of the armies. Hazrat Aisha (ra) mounted her camel and would encourage others to fight and Hazrat Talha (ra) and Hazrat Zubair (ra) were also part of this battle.

“Whilst the battle was taking place, a companion approached Hazrat Talha (ra) and said, ‘O Talha (ra)! Do you remember on such and such occasion, you were sat in the company of the Holy Prophet (sa) and he stated, “Talha (ra), there will come a time when you will be part of an army and Ali will be part of a different army; however, Ali (ra) will be on the side of the truth and you will be the one in error.”’ Hazrat Talha (ra) heard this and immediately realised and said, ‘Yes, I recall this.’

“He then left the army at once and as he was walking away from the battle so that he could fulfil the words of the Holy Prophet (sa), a wretched individual who was fighting from Hazrat Ali’s (ra) army, went from behind and stabbed Hazrat Talha (ra) in the back resulting in his martyrdom.

“At the time, Hazrat Ali (ra) was sat in his camp and the one who had committed the killing of Hazrat Talha (ra), thinking that he would receive a great reward, ran towards Hazrat Ali (ra) and said, ‘O Leader of the Faithful [Amirul Momineen]! I give you tidings that your enemy has been killed.’ Hazrat Ali (ra) asked who the enemy was. He replied, ‘O Leader of the Faithful, I have killed Talha (ra).’

“Hazrat Ali (ra) replied to him, ‘I also give you tidings from the Messenger (sa) of Allah that you will be thrown into the Hellfire because the Holy Prophet (sa) once said in a gathering in which Talha (ra) and I both were present, “O Talha (ra)! For the sake of the truth and establishing justice, you will have to endure indignity and you will be killed by an individual who God Almighty will cast into Hell.”’

(Aindah Wohi Qaumein Izzat Paein gi jo Mali-o-Jani Qurbanion Mein Hissah Lein gi, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 21, pp. 149-150)