Uthman ibn Talha

The Honourable Escort

Uthman ibn Talha was of Banu Abd al-Dar, the Qurayshi clan that for generations had kept the keys of the Ka’ba. Still a polytheist, he met Umm Salama at Tan’im as she set out alone on the Hijra with her child, and he led her camel by the bridle through every march — tying it up, withdrawing to a tree while she rested, and re-saddling it again — all the way to her husband at Quba. She would say she had never seen a more dignified travelling companion. 1 Hayatus Sahaba · Vol 1 · pp. 361 — Kandhlawi — Uthman ibn Talha, still a polytheist, escorts Umm Salama on the Hijra with great dignity.

The Keys of the Ka’ba

In 8 AH, before the conquest, he came to Madinah with Khalid ibn al-Walid and Amr ibn al-As and embraced Islam. 2 History of Islam · Vol 1 · pp. 213 — Najeebabadi — Uthman ibn Talha comes to Madinah with Khalid and Amr ibn al-As and embraces Islam. On the day of the conquest the Prophet ﷺ took the key of the Ka’ba from him to open it and cleanse it of the idols. Ali asked that custodianship be given to Banu Hashim, but the verse came down: “Allah commands you to render trusts to their owners” (an-Nisa 4:58). The Prophet ﷺ called Uthman back and placed the key in his hand, saying: “Take it forever — none but a tyrant and usurper will take it from you.” 3 Seerat-e-Mustafa · Vol 3 · pp. 45–47 — Idris Kandhlawi — the Prophet returns the key of the Ka'ba to Uthman ibn Talha; the verse 'render trusts to their owners' is revealed.