Through the same chain it is reported that Abū Ṭalḥah said, “I will never set myself up as leader over even two men, nor will I criticize either of them.” (1)

Thābit narrated from Anas:

On the Day of Uḥud Abū Ṭalḥah was shooting arrows in front of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ; he was an accomplished archer. Whenever Abū Ṭalḥah loosed an arrow, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would raise his gaze to see where it landed. Abū Ṭalḥah would push the Prophet’s chest with his hand and say, “Messenger of Allah, like this—no arrow will reach you.” (2)

ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Ṣuhayb narrated from Anas:

When the Day of Uḥud came, some people fled from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, while Abū Ṭalḥah remained in front of him, shielding him with a buckler. He was a forceful bowman and that day broke two, or perhaps three, bows with the strength of his draw. When a man passed by carrying a quiver of arrows, the Prophet ﷺ would say, “Empty it out for Abū Ṭalḥah.”

Then the Prophet would rise to look at the enemy, and Abū Ṭalḥah would plead, “Prophet of Allah, may my father be your ransom—do not expose yourself; let no arrow strike you. My throat is a shield for yours.”

Anas said, “I actually saw ʿĀʾishah and Umm Sulaym with their garments tucked up (3); I could see the bangles on their ankles as they hurried, waterskins on their backs. They would pour the water into the fighters’ mouths, then return and refill the skins.

Indeed the sword slipped from Abū Ṭalḥah’s hand two or three times because drowsiness had overtaken him.” (4)