Mentions of Prophet Ayyub (Job, PBUH) in the Quran:
1. Surah Al-Anbiya (21:83-84)
Arabic:
وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ ٱلضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِۦ مِن ضُرٍّۢ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ أَهْلَهُۥ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةًۭ مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَـٰبِدِينَ
Translation:
“And [mention] Ayyub, when he called to his Lord, ‘Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the most merciful of the merciful.’
So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers [of Allah].”
2. Surah Sad (38:41-44)
Arabic:
وَٱذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَآ أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ بِنُصْبٍۢ وَعَذَابٍۢ
ٱرْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ ۖ هَـٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌۢ بَارِدٌۭ وَشَرَابٌۭ
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ أَهْلَهُۥ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةًۭ مِّنَّا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًۭا فَٱضْرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ ۗ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَـٰهُ صَابِرًا ۚ نِّعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌۭ
Translation:
“And remember Our servant Ayyub, when he called to his Lord, ‘Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment.’
[So he was told], ‘Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for] a cool bath and drink.’
And We granted him his family and a like [number] with them as a mercy from Us and a reminder for those of understanding.
[We said], ‘And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath.’ Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].”
Sahih Hadith Mentions of Prophet Ayyub (Job) (PBUH):
1. Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 3391
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “While Ayyub (Job) was naked, taking a bath, a large number of gold locusts fell on him. Ayyub started collecting them in his clothes. His Lord called him, ‘O Ayyub! Haven’t I made you rich enough to do without what you see?’ Ayyub said, ‘Yes, O Lord! But I cannot dispense with Your Blessings.'”
2. Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 279
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘The example of a believer is like a green tree, whose leaves do not fall. And the example of a believer is like that of Ayyub (Job), whose patience and perseverance remained through severe trials.'”
Prophet Ayyub (PBUH), known as Job in the Bible, is a prominent figure in Islam and is revered for his unparalleled patience (ṣabr) and unwavering faith in Allah during the extreme adversities he endured. His story, mentioned briefly in the Quran and detailed further in Islamic traditions and tafsir (interpretations), provides a profound example of trust in Allah’s decree. Below is a detailed account of his life as it is understood in Islamic teachings.
Ayyub’s Prosperity & Gratitude
Ayyub (PBUH) was one of the descendants of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) through his son Ishaq (PBUH). Allah blessed him with enormous wealth, a large family, and good health. He had vast land, numerous livestock, a loving family of children, and a devoted wife. Not only was he materially prosperous, but Ayyub was also a righteous servant of Allah, known for his worship, purity, and charitable nature.
Despite his immense wealth, Ayyub remained humble and always thankful to Allah for his blessings. He used his wealth to help the poor, feed the needy, and free slaves. His life was characterized by gratitude (shukr), and he maintained a constant connection with Allah, never allowing worldly wealth to distract him from his faith.
A Severe Test from Allah
As a trial from Allah, Ayyub (PBUH) faced extreme hardships that tested his faith. This trial is often viewed as a test of his patience and reliance on Allah.
- Loss of Wealth: Ayyub’s wealth was destroyed; his land was ravaged, his livestock perished, and he lost all his assets.
- Loss of Family: Soon after, he also lost all of his children in a calamity. This was an unimaginable emotional pain for him and his wife.
- Loss of Health: After these losses, Ayyub (PBUH) was afflicted with a severe and debilitating disease. The disease was so painful and disfiguring that it isolated him from society. Some reports say it caused sores and ulcers on his skin, and his body became weak. The only part of his body that remained unaffected was his heart and tongue, which he used to remember Allah and praise Him.
Ayyub’s Patience (Ṣabr)
During these years of hardship, Ayyub remained steadfast and patient. His faith in Allah did not waver, and he continued to praise Allah, even though his body was ravaged by illness and his wealth and family were gone. Despite his physical suffering, Ayyub was known for his patience (ṣabr), refusing to complain about his situation. Instead, he saw his trials as a way to prove his unwavering devotion to Allah.
His wife, who was deeply loyal and devoted to him, stood by him throughout this period, attending to his needs and remaining supportive. However, her situation also became difficult as they lost everything. At one point, she became frustrated and urged Ayyub to ask Allah to relieve him of his suffering. Ayyub, however, replied that he had lived for many years in prosperity and comfort, so he was too ashamed to ask Allah to remove his hardship, given that he had only endured a few years of suffering.
The Supplication of Ayyub (PBUH)
Finally, after many years of illness, when Ayyub’s body had been ravaged and his wife could no longer bear to see him suffer, Ayyub turned to Allah in earnest supplication. His prayer is recorded in the Quran:
Surah Al-Anbiya (21:83-84):
“And [mention] Ayyub, when he called to his Lord, ‘Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the most merciful of the merciful.’
So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers [of Allah].”
Despite the enormity of his trials, Ayyub (PBUH) did not make a detailed complaint but rather acknowledged his suffering and invoked Allah’s mercy, demonstrating his deep humility and reliance on Allah.
Allah’s Mercy and Restoration
Allah accepted Ayyub’s prayer and restored his health and prosperity as a reward for his patience and faithfulness. According to Surah Sad (38:41-44), Allah instructed Ayyub to:
“Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for] a cool bath and drink.”
Upon following this command, Ayyub (PBUH) struck the ground, and a spring of water gushed forth. He bathed in it and drank from it, and through Allah’s mercy, he was completely healed from his disease.
Allah not only restored his health but also granted him even more than what he had lost. His wealth was returned to him in double measure, and his family was also restored. Some interpretations mention that Allah revived his children, while others say he was blessed with new children who brought him the same joy. His wife, who had faithfully stood by him, was also restored to health, and their life was once again filled with happiness and prosperity.
The Oath of Ayyub (PBUH)
During his period of illness, Ayyub had sworn an oath in a moment of frustration that if he recovered, he would strike his wife. This was due to a misunderstanding or an argument. However, after his recovery, Ayyub regretted this oath as his wife had been extremely loyal and patient during his trial. Allah, in His mercy, provided a way for Ayyub to fulfill his oath without causing harm:
Surah Sad (38:44):
“And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath.”
Thus, Ayyub fulfilled his oath by lightly striking his wife with a handful of grass, a symbolic act that did not cause her harm, demonstrating Allah’s compassion and understanding of human nature.
Lessons from the Story of Ayyub (PBUH)
- Patience and Perseverance: The story of Ayyub (PBUH) teaches the importance of patience (ṣabr) during hardships. His long-suffering and unyielding faith became a symbol of resilience for believers.
- Faith and Trust in Allah: Ayyub (PBUH) showed that even in the most difficult trials, a believer should maintain trust in Allah’s wisdom and mercy. He did not question Allah’s plan but rather remained steadfast.
- The Reward of Patience: Allah’s mercy and rewards are boundless. When believers remain patient, Allah rewards them with better than what they have lost, as seen in the restoration of Ayyub’s wealth, family, and health.
- The Power of Supplication: Ayyub’s simple but sincere supplication to Allah highlights the power of dua (prayer) in Islam. Allah is always close to His servants and responds to their calls in the best way.
Also, read the Story of Prophet Shu’aib (Jethro) (Pbuh)