The Story of Ayyub (Job) (Peace Be Upon Him): The Prophet of Patience and Return to God

Chronological Order: Job the Patient

Ibrahim Ismail Ishaq
Yaqub Yusuf Ayyub
Prophets of Trials and Patience

The story of Ayyub is a Divine School in patience through tribulation, and absolute trust in the mercy of God.

Ayyub (PBUH) is a Prophet from the lineage of Prophets, whom God tested with the most severe types of tribulations in his wealth, family, and body, for God to set him as an example of beautiful patience.


Ayyub (Job) (PBUH): The Trial of Health and Wealth

Summary of the Trial and the Divine Reward

Nature of the Trial

  • Loss: Loss of wealth, livestock, and children
  • Illness: Severe affliction in the body for years
  • Quranic Title: "The Patient," "Excellent Servant," and "Owwab" (one who turns often to God)
  • The Only Helper: His righteous wife (may God have mercy on her)

Healing and Recompense

  • The response came with the supplication: "And You are the Most Merciful of the merciful"
  • The Miracle: Commanded to strike with his foot
  • The Compensation: Restoration of his family and their like with them
  • Another Reward: Locusts of gold (in the Sunnah)

Story Details: Patience in Adversity

Ayyub (PBUH) was among the richest and most numerous in offspring, and God took all of that away to test his patience. He was afflicted with a severe illness, and scholars differed on the duration of his illness, but he remained remembering and thankful, never ceasing his praise, and neither complaining nor despairing. His trial was a strong example of the devil's ability to dominate the body and wealth without controlling the faith in the heart.

The Prayer of Humility and Healing

When the affliction intensified and his wife's ability to serve him diminished, he called upon his Lord with the utmost courtesy without an insistent request, saying: ﴾أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ ٱلضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرۡحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينََ﴿ (Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful). The response came when God commanded him to strike the ground with his foot: ﴾ٱرۡكُضۡ بِرِجۡلِكَۖ هَٰذَا مُغۡتَسَلُۢ بَارِدٞ وَشَرَابٌٞ﴿ (Strike [the ground] with your foot. This is a cool [spring] for washing and a drink). God healed him with the water of that spring from which he washed and drank, and his family and wealth were returned to him, and this was made ﴾رَحۡمَةٗ مِّنۡ عِندِنَا وَذِكۡرَىٰ لِلۡعَٰبِدِينََ﴿ (A mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers).

Key Quranic References:

  • Surah Al-Anbiya: Verses 83-84 (Introduction of the trial and mercy)
  • Surah Saad: Verses 41-44 (Details of the supplication, the reason for healing, and his wife's oath)

Lessons and Morals Learned:

  • Patience is the Key to Relief: The reward of the patient is not lost, no matter how long the trial lasts.
  • Etiquette in Supplication (Du'a): The greatest supplication is seeking refuge in God's mercy (You are the Most Merciful of the merciful).
  • The Grace of Faith: Trial does not affect the faith of a sincere Prophet, but rather increases his rank.

The Pivotal Verse:

﴾inna wajadnahu sabiran niAAma alAAabdu innahu awwab﴿ (Saad: 44)

Key to the Story: Patience and Return to God

The story of Ayyub is a Great Reminder that trials are not a sign of God's displeasure, but may be a sign of God's love for the servant, and that beautiful patience is always associated with Mercy and Relief.

﴾Fastajabna lahu fakashafna ma bihi min durrin waataynahu ahlahu wamithlahum maAAahum rahmatan min AAindina wathikra lilAAabideen﴿ (Al-Anbiya: 84)
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