Story of Prophet Ayyub (AS)

Story of Ayyub (AS)

1.Who is Ayyub (AS) ?

            Ayyub (pbuh) was repentant, remembering Allah with thankfulness, patience, and steadfastness. This was the cause of his rescue and the secret of Allah's praising him. A group of angels were discussing Allah's other human creatures, how those who were humble earned Allah's pleasure, while those who were arrogant incurred His displeasure. One of the angels remarked: "The best creature on earth today is Ayyub  (AS) , a man of noble character who displays great patience and always remembers his Generous Lord. He is an excellent model for the worshippers of Allah. In return, his Lord has blessed him with a long life and plenty of servants, as well as the needy and the poor share in his good fortune; he feeds and clothes the poor and buys slaves to set them free. He makes those who receive his charity feel as if they are favoring him so kind and gentle is he."

2.What are the tests /ordeal for Ayyub (AS) ?

             Allah first tested Ayyub AS by suddenly stripping away all his wealth and property. But Ayyub AS remained firm and constant, not shattered or even shaken by this disaster, and continued to glorify his Lord.

             Secondly Allah then took the lives of Ayyub’s AS many children. This too did not change him, and he continued to be steadfast in service and devotion to his Lord.

               Allah then took away his health, afflicting him with terrible pain and suffering, and such loathsome ailments that people shunned him. Still Ayyub’s AS faith and serenity remained undisturbed, for his heart was with Allah. It is said that there was no one on the face of the earth more honorable to Allah than Ayyub AS.

3. How was the life of Ayyub (AS) ?

             Ayyub (AS)was a man having much wealth of all kinds; beats, slaves, sheep, vast lands of Haran and many children. All those favors were taken from him and he was physically afflicted as well. Never a single organ was sound except his heart and tongue, with both of which he glorified Allah, the Almighty all the time day and night. His disease lasted for a long time until his visitors felt disgusted with him. His friends kept away from him and people abstained from visiting him. No one felt sympathy for him except his wife. She took good care of him, knowing his former charity and pity for her.

4. What was the prayer of Ayyub (AS) to Allah SWT ?

             Iblis went to  Ayyub (AS)'s wife in the form of a man. "Where is your husband?" he asked her. She pointed to an almost lifeless form crumbled on the bed and said: "There he is, suspended between life and death." Iblis reminded her of the days, when Ayyub (AS) had good health, wealth and children. Suddenly, the painful memory of years of hardship overcame her, and she burst into tears.

She said to  Ayyub (AS):"How long are you going to bear this torture from our Lord? Are we to remain without wealth,children or friends forever? Why don't you call upon Allah to remove this suffering ?

Ayyub (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 Ayyub (AS): "How long am I suffering like this?"

She said: "seven years."

Ayyub (AS) 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."

Crying bitterly and with a heavy heart, she had no choice but to leave him and seek shelter

elsewhere. In this helpless sate,  Ayyub (AS) turned to Allah, not to complain but to seek His mercy.

"Verily! distress has seized me and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy." 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 21:83-84)

5. How was Ayyub (AS) life restored ?

Almighty Allah instructed:

"Remember Our slave Ayyub AS, 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)

Ayyub AS obeyed and almost immediately his good health was restored. Meanwhile, his faithful wife could not longer bear to be parted from her husband and returned to him to beg his forgiveness, desiring to serve him. On entering her house, she was amazed at the sudden change: Ayyub AS was again healthy! She embraced him and thanked Allah for His mercy. 

Ayyub AS was not 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.

    

6. What are the lessons learnt from Ayyub (AS) ?

              Ayyub’s AS story therefore contains vital and precious lessons for mankind. One of these is the lesson of fortifying one’s heart in trials and suffering with the constant glorification and remembrance of Allah most High. Another lesson is that enduring suffering and affliction with patience and steadfastness provides one of the best opportunities and surest means of strengthening our souls and coming closer to Allah.