And (remember) Job, when he cried to his Lord “Truly distress has seized me and you are the Most Merciful of all those that are merciful.” (al-Anbiya, 83)
Prophet Ayub (AlayhiSalam) is from among the descedendant of Ibrahim (AlayhiSalam) best known for his test and Trials involiving Shaytan Directly.
From enjoying blissful life to extreme trials in wealth, children & health, he had experienced such manginitude of trials whcih a common man can never imagine of. Yet he showed gratitude & Patience at every point of life.
ALLAH subhanwatawla has praised him in Quran for his patience.
“Truly, we found him patient. How excellent a slave. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back to ALLAH” (38:44)
His repentance, grtitude & patience resulted in his rescue from the trial thus the secret of ALLAH’s praise for him.
The story of Ayub (AS) has been beautifically described in the book “Stories of the Prophets” by Ibn Kathir.
When One of the angels in a discussion with other angels about those who humbled themselves and earned ALLAH’s pleasure and those out of arrogance & pride earned ALLAH’s wrath, mentined about Prophet Ayub as a grateful servant of ALLAH and how ALLAH has blessed him, the Iblees (Satan) who overheard this discussion got jealous of him.
He planned to tempt Ayub (AS) to corruption and disbelief, tried distracting him from prayers by whispering him about the good things in life but found Ayub as a true believer who would not affect by his eveil temptations.
Disturbed with the attitude of Ayub (AS), Iblees complained to ALLAH. He said that although Ayub was continuously glorifying Allah he was not doing so out of his sincerity but to satisfy Allah so that his wealth should not be taken
away. “If You remove his wealth then You will find that his tongue will no longer mention Your name and his praying will stop.”
Allah told Iblis that Ayub was one of His most sincere devotees. He did not worship Him because of the favors; his worship stemmed from his heart and had nothing to do with material things. However, to prove to Iblis the depth of Ayub’s sincerity and patience, Allah allowed him to do whatever he and his helpers wished with Ayub’s wealth.
He then set out with his helpers and destroyed Ayub’s wealth in entirety. He, then appearing as an old man approached Ayub to instigate him but in vain. Frustated by Ayub’s reply: “What Allah has taken away from me belongs to Him. I was only its trustee for awhile. He gives to whom He wills and withholds from whom He wills.” With these words, Ayub again prostrated to his Lord. He appeared before ALLAH and claimed though Ayub(AS) shows his gratitude, if his children are taken away he will reject you. ALLAH granted him this authority but warned him it would not reduce the faith nor his patience.
He shook the fountain of the house in which Job’s children were living and sent the building crashing, killing all of them. Then he went to Ayub disguised as a man who had come to sympathize with him and instigate him against ALLAH. But again Job disappointed him by replying: “Allah sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is sometimes pleased and sometimes displeased with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial or harmful to me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to my Creator.” then Ayub prostrated to his Lord. At this Iblis was extremely vexed.
Iblis called on Allah. “O my Lord, Job’s wealth is gone, his children are dead, and he is still healthy
in body, and as long as he enjoys good health he will continue to worship You in the hope of
regaining his wealth and producing more children. Grant me authority over his body so that I may
weaken it. He will surely neglect worshipping You an will thus become disobedient.”
Allah wanted to teach Iblis a lesson that Jo was a devoted servant of his Lord so He granted Iblis
his 3rd request but placed a condition: “I give you authority over his body but not over his soul,
intellect or heart, for in these places reside the knowledge of Me and My religion.”
Armed with this new authority, Iblis began to take revenge on Job’s body and filled it with disease
until it was reduced to mere skin and bone and he suffered severe pain. But through all the
suffering Job remained strong in his faith, patiently bearing all the hardships without complaining.
Allah’s righteous servant did not despair or turn to others for help but remained hopeful of Allah’s
mercy. Even close relatives and friends deserted him. Only his kind, loving wife stayed with him.
In his hour of need, she showered her kindness on him and cared for him. She remained his sole
companion and comforter through the many years of suffering.
Desperate for his success, he then approached Ayub’s wife in the form of a man, and reminded her of good days of past with wealth, children and her husband’s good health. remembering all this, she went to Ayub and asked him to call upon ALLAH to remove this hardship. Ayub (AS) sighed, and in a soft voice replied
“Iblis must have whispered to you and made you dissatisfied. Tell me how long did I enjoy good
health and riches?”
She replied: “eighty years.”
Then Job replied: “How long am I suffering like this?”
She said: “seven years.”
Job then told her: “In that case I am ashamed to call on my Lord to remove the hardship, for I
have not suffered longer than the years of good health and plenty. It seems your faith has
weakened and you are dissatisfied with the fate of Allah. If I ever regain health, I swear I will
punish you with a hundred strokes! From this day onward, I forbid myself to eat or drink anything
by your hand. Leave me alone and let my Lord do with me as He pleases.”
In this helpless sate, Ayub AS turned to Allah, which ALLAH mentions in the chapter 21 in verses 83.
“Verily! distress has seized me and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy.”
Notice, Prophet Ayub’s prayer was not of complain but to seek His mercy, as a result ALLAH answered his Prayer:
“So We answered his call, and we removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his family
to him (that he had lost), and the like thereof along with them as a mercy from Ourselves and a
Reminder for all who worship Us.” (Ch 21:84)Almighty Allah also instructed:
“Remember Our slave Job, when he invoked His Lord saying: “Verily! Satan has touched me
with distress (by losing my health) and torment (by losing my wealth)!” Allah said to him: “Strike
the ground with your foot: This is a spring of water to wash in and cool and a refreshing drink.”
And We gave him back his family, and along with them the like thereof as a Mercy from Us, and
a reminder for those who understand.” (Ch 38:41-43)
Ayub obeyed and almost immediately his good health was restored. Meanwhile, his faithful wife
could returned to him to beg his forgiveness, desiring to serve him. On entering her house, she was amazed at the sudden change: Ayub was again healthy! She embraced him and thanked Allah for His mercy.
Ayub was now worried, for he had taken an oath to punish her with a hundred strokes if he had
regained health but he had no desire to hurt her. He knew if he did not fulfill the oath, he would
be guilty of breaking a promise to Allah. Therefore in His wisdom and mercy, Allah came to the
assistance of His faithful servant and advised him: “take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and
strike therewith your wife, and break not your oath”
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“While Job was naked, taking a bath, a swarm of gold locusts fell on him, and he started
collecting them in his garment. His Lord called him: “O Job! Have I not made you too rich to
need what you see?” He said: “Yes, My Lord! But I cannot shun Your Blessings.” (Al Bukhari)
May ALLAH make us take heed from this beautiful story or Prophet Ayub AS who was a classic example of a grateful & Patient slave of his lord with an un-shakeable faith in the wisdom of his Lord.
