Hadithcore
Sahih al-Bukhari, 2902
sahih

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

Abu Talha and the Prophet (ﷺ) used to shield themselves with one shield. Abu Talha was a good archer, and when he threw (his arrows) the Prophet (ﷺ) would look at the target of his arrows.

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، أَخْبَرَنَا الأَوْزَاعِيُّ، عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كَانَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ يَتَتَرَّسُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِتُرْسٍ وَاحِدٍ، وَكَانَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ حَسَنَ الرَّمْىِ، فَكَانَ إِذَا رَمَى تَشَرَّفَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَيَنْظُرُ إِلَى مَوْضِعِ نَبْلِهِ‏.‏

References2 variants
In-Book Reference
Book 56, Hadith 116
USC-MSA web (English) reference
Vol. 4, Book 52, Hadith 151 (deprecated numbering scheme)
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was the perfect example and optimal role model role model in resolve, courage, and bravery, at times of both peace and war. In this hadeeth, Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ and AbooTalhah Zayd ibn Sahl Al-Ansaaree(may Allah be pleased with him) used to shield themselves with one shield in the Battle of Uhud, because AbooTalhah(may Allah be pleased with him) was a good archer, who needed someone to hold the shield while he shot the arrows, with both his hands busy. The Prophet ﷺ would hold the shield (while AbooTalhah(may Allah be pleased with him) shot the arrows), lest the enemy should shoot back at him. This reflected the humbleness of the Prophet ﷺ and his keenness to participate personally in Jihaad (side by side with the Muslim fighters). He ﷺ was the bravest of all people; whenever the fighting intensified, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them)used to shield themselves behind the Prophet ﷺ. AbooTalhah(may Allah be pleased with him)was one of the best archers, and therefore whenever he threw (his arrows), the Prophetﷺwould look at the target of his arrows, to verify that the arrows hit the enemies. He ﷺ would raise his head to see the target of his arrows. It was recorded in Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree and Saheeh Muslim that when the Prophet ﷺ started looking at the enemy by raising his head, AbooTalhah(may Allah be pleased with him) said, "O Allah's Messenger! Let my parents be sacrificed for your sake! Please do not raise your head and make it visible, lest an arrow of the enemy should hit you. Let my neck and chest be wounded instead of yours." The hadeeth underlines the virtues of AbooTalhah(may Allah be pleased with him). It also urges Muslimsto learn archery and martial arts..
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