Prophet ‘Ayyoub [Job (‘Alayhis-salaam)] was a descendant of Ibraheem’s (Abraham) offspring, as Allaah Almighty declared in Surat Al-An’aam (6:84):
وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِهِۦ دَاوُۥدَ وَسُلَيۡمَٰنَ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُوسُفَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ
“and among his (Ibraheem) progeny: David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. Thus, do we reward the good doers.”
Allaah (Ta’ala) stated that ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) was one of the Prophets who He (Ta’ala) inspired (revealed to), as it is mentioned in Surat An-Nisaa’ (4:163):
وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسۡمَٰعِيلَ وَإِسۡحَٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ وَٱلۡأَسۡبَاطِ وَعِيسَىٰ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُونُسَ وَهَٰرُونَ وَسُلَيۡمَٰنَ
“We (also) inspired Ibraheem (Abraham), Isma’eel (Ishmael), Ishaque (Isaac), Ya’qoub (Jacob), and Al-Asbat [the twelve sons of Ya’qoub (Jacob)], ‘Eesa (Jesus), ‘Ayyoub (Job), Yunus (Jonah), Harun (Aaron), and Sulayman (Solomon).”
Allaah (Ta’ala) praised His worshipper ‘Ayyoub [Job (‘Alayhis-salaam)] in His Glorious Qur’an in Surat Saad (38:44):
وَخُذۡ بِيَدِكَ ضِغۡثٗا فَٱضۡرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحۡنَثۡۗ إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَٰهُ صَابِرٗاۚ نِّعۡمَ ٱلۡعَبۡدُ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّاب
“Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft returning in repentance (to Us).”
‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) was repentant, remembering Allaah with thankfulness, patience, and steadfastness. This was the cause of his rescue and the secret of Allaah’s praising him.
Ibn Al-‘Arabi said: “It is not quoted about ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) in any authentic news except what Allaah (Ta’ala) has informed us about him in His Book in two verses:
1- In Surat Al-Anbiyaa’ (21:83)
2- In Surat Saad (39:41)
A group of angels were discussing Allaah’s other human creatures and how those who were humble earned Allaah’s Pleasure, while those who were arrogant incurred His displeasure. One of the angels remarked that the best created being on earth today is Job, a man of noble character who displays great patience and always remembers his generous Lord. He is an excellent model for the worshippers of Allaah. In return, his Lord has blessed him with a long life and plenty of riches, yet he is never haughty or selfish. His family, his 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.”
The general meaning of the story
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Saad (39:41):
وَٱذۡكُرۡ عَبۡدَنَآ أَيُّوبَ إِذۡ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ بِنُصۡبٖ وَعَذَابٍ
“And remember Our servant ‘Ayyoub, when he invoked his Lord (saying): “Verily! Shaytaan has afflicted me with distress and torment!”
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “(Remember) in this Book full of reminders (Our slave ‘Ayyoub) and mention him in the best terms, speaking highly of him. When harm befell him, he bore it with patience and did not complain to anyone except his Lord, turning only to Him. (When he called upon his Lord) in supplication, complaining to Him and none other, he said: My Lord (Verily the Shaytaan has afflicted me with hardship and pain) that is, something very hard, tough, and painful. The Shaytaan had been given power to harm him physically.
He was afflicted with great sores that stayed for a long time. He faced severe calamity, his family died, and he lost his wealth.” [Tayseer al-Kareem]
It was said that “distress” referred to bodily afflictions and “torment” referred to the loss of his wealth and children.
‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) complained to Allaah that evil touched him with a painful torment, and tiresome, evil, distress and Waswasah (evil whispers).
Shaytaan can harm the son of Adam by his evil whispers till the person becomes mentally disturbed and sick.
Yazid ibn Maysarah said: “When Allaah tested ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) with loss of his family, wealth and children, and he had nothing left, he started to focus upon the remembrance of Allaah. ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) called upon Allaah and said: ‘I praise You, O Lord of the lords, Who has given me from His Bounty, wealth and children, and my heart was so busy with them. So You have taken them all, and made my heart empty except for Your remembrance. Now nothing comes between me and You, and if my enemy Iblees knows what You did to me, he will envy me.’” [Hilyat al-Awliya’ (5:239)]
Armed with this new authority, Iblees began to take revenge on ‘Ayyoub’s (‘Alayhis-salaam) body and filled it with disease until it was reduced to mere skin and bone, and ‘Ayyoub suffered severe pain. But through all the suffering ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) remained strong in his faith, patiently bearing all the hardships without complaining. Allaah’s righteous servant did not despair or turn to others for help; he remained hopeful of Allaah’s Mercy. Even his 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 his suffering.
Ibn Asaker narrated: “‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) was a man having much wealth of all kinds, beasts, slaves, vast lands of Haran and many children. All those favors were taken from him and he was physically afflicted as well. Not a single organ was sound except his heart and tongue, with which he glorified Allaah, the Almighty all day and night. His disease lasted for a long time until his visitors left, 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, and she was serving people to gain money and feed her husband.”
‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) called out to his Lord:
وَأَيُّوبَ إِذۡ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ ٱلضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرۡحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
“And (remember) ‘Ayyoub (Job), when he cried to his Lord: ‘Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy.’” [Surat Al-Anbiyaa’ (21:83)]
He beseeched Allaah by telling Him about his situation, that his affliction had become so severe, and he referred to His abundant mercy.
Notice here that ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) did not ask Allaah to remove the distress. He (‘Alayhis-salaam) just complained to Allaah about his state, and this complaint to Allaah was sufficient, which implies a request for removal of distress. Therefore, Allaah (Ta’ala) said:
فَٱسۡتَجَبۡنَا لَه
“So We answered his prayer.”
The context shows the Mercy and care of Allaah with His Prophets for them at the time of distress, whether the distress was the belying of their people for them as in the story of Ibraheem, Lut, Nuh (‘Alayhimus-salaam) or affliction with bounties as in the story of Dawoud and Sulayman (‘Alayhumus-salaam) or affliction with harm and sickness like in the story of ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam).
Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahimahullaah) said, as a commentary on the Du’aa of ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam): “This Du’aa (supplication) joined the reality of Tawheed along with showing neediness to His Lord, and confession of attribute of mercy of Allaah, that He is the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy, and imploring (beseeching) Allaah with His Attributes showing intensive neediness and poverty. And whenever the afflicted person has all this, then his calamity will be removed.” [Al-Fawa’id, p.201]
فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِۦ مِن ضُرٍّۖ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ أَهْلَهُۥ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَٰبِدِينَ
“So We answered his prayer and relieved his affliction. And We restored his family to him and doubled their number, as a mercy from Us and as a reminder for all who worship Us.” [Surat Al-Anbiyaa’ (21:84)]
Allaah, the Most Merciful of those who show mercy responded to him, and said to him:
ٱرْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَۖ هَٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌۢ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ
“Strike the ground with your foot. This is (a spring of) water to wash in, cool and a (refreshing) drink.”[Surat Saad (38:42)]
So he struck the ground with his foot, and as a result of his doing so, a spring of cold water gushed forth. He bathed in it and drank from it, and Allaah relieved him of his affliction. [Tayseer al-Kareem]
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ أَهْلَهُۥ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَٰبِ
“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.” [Surat Saad (38:43)]
Al-Hasan and Qatadah said: “Allaah brought his family themselves back to life, and added others like them.” [At-Tabari]
رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا
“ (as a mercy from Us,) means, in return for his patience, steadfastness, repentance, humility and constant turning to Allaah.”
وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَٰب
“(and a reminder for those who understand.)”
means, for those who understand that the consequence of patience is a solution and a way out. [Ibn Katheer]
Shaikh As-Sa’dee (Rahimahullaah) said: “(And We restored his family to him)- it was said that Allaah brought them back to life for him (and doubled their number) in this world, and Allaah made him rich and bestowed upon him a great deal of wealth (as a Mercy from Us) to Our slave ‘Ayyoub, as he was patient and steadfast. Thus, We granted him reward by Our Mercy in this world and the Hereafter (and as a reminder to people of understanding), so that people of understanding might remember the story of ‘Ayyoub and learn a lesson from it, and realize that whoever bears harm with patience, Allaah (Ta’ala) will reward him in this world and the Hereafter, and will answer his supplication when he calls upon Him.” [Tayseer al-Kareem]
‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) got angry with his wife and was upset about something she had done, so he swore an oath that if Allaah healed him, he would strike her with one hundred lashes. When Allaah healed him, how could her service, mercy, compassion, and kindness be repaid with a beating? So Allaah showed him a way out:
وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَٱضْرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحْنَث
“And take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith (your wife) and break not your oath.” [Surat Saad (38:44)]
So Allaah (Ta’ala) told him to strike her once with a bundle of one hundred reeds, thus enabling him to fulfil his oath without harming her or being unjust towards her.
Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Anas ibn Maalik (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Allaah’s Prophet ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam), suffered for eighteen years from his affliction and was shunned by relatives and strangers alike, besides two men who were the closest of his brothers to him. They used to visit him every morning and every evening. One of them said to his companion: ‘You know, by Allaah, that ‘Ayyoub committed a great sin which nobody in the world ever committed.’ His companion said: ‘Why are you saying that?’ He said: ‘For eighteen years he has been suffering and Allaah has not had mercy on him and relieved his suffering.’ When he went to him the next morning, the (second) man could not wait to tell this to ‘Ayyoub. ‘Ayyoub, (‘Alayhis-salaam) said: ‘I do not know what you are talking about, but Allaah knows if I passed by two men who were arguing and they mentioned the Name of Allaah, I would go back home and offer expiation lest they had mentioned the Name of Allaah in an improper manner.’ Whenever he went out to answer the call of nature, when he finished, his wife would take his hand until he came back home. One day he took a long time, and Allaah had revealed to ‘Ayyoub, [Strike the ground with your foot. This is (a spring of) water to wash in, cool and a (refreshing) drink]. She thought that he had taken too long, so she turned to look at him, and saw that Allaah had taken away the afflictions he had been suffering, and he looked better than he had ever looked. When she saw him, she said: ‘May Allaah bless you! Have you seen Allaah’s Prophet, the one who is sorely tested? By Allaah, I have never seen a man who looks more like him than you, if he were healthy.’ He said: ‘I am he.’ He had two threshing floors (an area where the husks are removed from grains), one for wheat and one for barley. Allaah sent two clouds, and when one of them reached the threshing floor of the wheat, it rained gold until it was full. The other rained silver on the threshing floor of the barley until it was full.” This is the wording of Ibn Jarir (Rahimahullaah).
[At-Tabari 21: (211), Al-Hakim no. 4115 and authenticated by Al-Albaani in Al-Silsilah as-Saheeha no.17 and graded Saheeh]
Imaam Ahmad (Rahimahullaah) recorded that Abu Hurairah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“While ‘Ayyoub was bathing naked, locusts of gold fell upon him. ‘Ayyoub, (‘Alayhis-salaam) began gathering them in his garment. Then his Lord called to him: “O ‘Ayyoub, have I not made you so rich that you have no need of what you see?” He (Alayhis-salaam) said: “Yes, O Lord! But I can never be self-sufficient of Your blessing!” [Al-Bukhaari [nos. 279, 3391, 7493 and Sunan An-Nasaa’i no. 409]
Lessons from the story of ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam):
- Allaah praised ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) for his patience and steadfastness:
إِنَّا وَجَدْنَٰهُ صَابِرًاۚ نِّعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ
“Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a servant! Verily, he was ever oft returning in repentance (to Us)!” [Surat Saad (38:44)]
- Allaah (Ta’ala) praised ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) for being an excellent servant:
نِّعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ
“How excellent a servant!”
This indicates the high status of servitude with Allaah (Ta’ala) and servitude is a praiseworthy character for a person. The good and faithful slave is he who reaches the highest levels of servitude to Allaah at times of both ease and hardship.
- Allaah (Ta’ala) also praised ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) for being oft returning to Him. He often turned to Allaah to help him reach his spiritual and worldly goals, and constantly remembered his Lord, called upon Him, loved Him and showed devotion to Him.
- The Prophets do not possess the power of benefitting or harming themselves. Allaah mentions what ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) said in Surat Saad (38:41):
أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنُ بِنُصۡبٖ وَعَذَابٍ
“Verily! Shaytaan has afflicted me with distress and torment!”
If the Prophets were capable of repelling harm from themselves, ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) would have done that for himself. No one other than Allaah (Ta’ala) Owns the Power of affecting benefit and harm.
- The permissibility of beseeching Allaah by mentioning one’s state:
‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) beseeched Allaah by mentioning his state and calamity and complained only to Allaah about the harm and distress which had befallen him.
- Allaah’s responds to the invocation of the one calling unto Him (Ta’ala), and Allaah might delay the response for a wisdom.
For eighteen years ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) remained in his distress and Allaah (Ta’ala) postponed the removal of his distress for a wisdom, and ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) was elevated and increased in status with Allaah (Ta’ala). Had Allaah (Ta’ala) responded to the invocation of ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) the next day, he (‘Alayhis-salaam) would not have attained the degree that he attained after eighteen years of distress, and he would not have become an example of patience for the early and later generations.
- Allaah’s great Ability in making the spring gush forth with the strike of the foot of ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam)
- The affirmation of taking the means. ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) was commanded to strike the ground with his foot because he was unable to dig the ground to get the water. Although the strike of ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) was weak, Allaah (Ta’ala) wills to teach His servants to take the means no matter how weak they are. It was said to Maryam (‘Alayhas-salaam):
وَهُزِّىٓ إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ ٱلنَّخْلَةِ
“And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you,” [Surat Maryam (19:25)]
One takes the means while putting his trust in Allaah (Ta’ala).
- The story of ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) is a lesson for the people of understanding. The story indicates (points out) that the good end is for those who are patient. Allaah (Ta’ala) rewarded ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) after the calamity was over.
- When Allaah loves a slave, He afflicts him.
The story emphasizes that the slaves of Allaah are afflicted as well as the rebellious and wicked people. ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) was an obedient slave to Allaah when Allaah afflicted him.
- Shaytaan may be given power over the Prophet.
In one story, Shaytaan was given authority against Sulayman (‘Alayhis-salaam), and in another story, our Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was afflicted by magic done by a Jew who took the help of devils.
- When an afflicted person invokes Allaah (Ta’ala), Allaah will respond to him, as Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat An-Naml (27:62):
أَمَّن يُجِيبُ ٱلْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ
“Is not He (better than your gods) Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him,”
And Allaah brings relief after distress and adversity, and ease follows every difficulty.
- Allaah (Ta’ala) is Able to remove sicknesses and distresses immediately without any means. However, He (Ta’ala) intends to teach His servants to take the means (which is part of having Tawakkul on Him) and seek the means of healing and curing. Prophet Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Verily, for every sickness (illness) that Allaah sends down, there is a medicine. There are those who know it and others who do not know it.” [Reported by Al-Haakim no. 7423 and authenticated by Al-Albaani in Al-Silsilah as-Saheeha no. 451]
- Breaking an oath and not fulfilling it, basically, is forbidden. This is because Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat Al-Maa’idah (5:89):
وَلَٰكِن يُؤَاخِذُكُم بِمَا عَقَّدتُّمُ ٱلْأَيْمَٰنَۖ
“But He will punish you for your deliberate oaths;”
The scholars said regarding Allaah’s Statement in Surat Al-Maa’idah (5:89):
وَٱحْفَظُوٓا۟ أَيْمَٰنَكُمْ
“And protect your oaths”
“Do not swear much.”
“It is better not to take oaths, but if you have taken it, and later you find a better solution for the problem, then act according to the better one and give atonement (expiation) for the oath.”
- Whoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him and turns to Him in repentance, Allaah will make a way out for him from every difficulty, as Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat At-Talaq (65:2-3):
وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًا
وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ
“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).
And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.”
Allaah (Ta’ala) made a way out and gave the solution for ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) to fulfil his oath to punish his loyal wife and avoid breaking his vow. Allaah guided him to take a bundle of thin grass, with one hundred stems, and hit her with it once.
- The permissibility of beating the wife in a way of admonishing her
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Your rights over them are that they should not allow anyone whom you dislike to tread on your bedding. If they do that, then hit them, but in a manner that does not cause injury or leave a mark.” [Muslim no. 1218]
Allaah (Ta’ala) says in Surat An-Nisaa’ (4:34):
وَٱضْرِبُوهُنَّ
“(and last) beat them (lightly, if it is useful),”
and the Sunnah explained it to be without causing injury or leaving a mark.
- There is a lesson in the two righteous men who used to visit ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) every day after all his relatives and people shunned him. It is incumbent upon a Muslim to help his brother if he is afflicted, and to stand beside him, supporting him spiritually and financially.
- The wife is loyal to her husband when he is afflicted with any affliction in his body or wealth or so forth; she remains patient with him and does not abandon him.
In the story of ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam), he (‘Alayhis-salaam) used to depend on his wife to take him with hand to answer the call of nature and bring him back. Sometimes he used to cling to her braided hair to get up.
- Complaining to Allaah does not contradict or oppose patience, as ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) did, saying:
أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ ٱلضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
“Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy.” [Surat Al-Anbiyaa’ (21:83)]
And this is considered an act of worship, while complaining to people is an act of humiliation. ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) complained about his state to Allaah (Ta’ala), like how Ya’qoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) said in Surat Yusuf (13:86):
إِنَّمَآ أَشْكُوا۟ بَثِّى وَحُزْنِىٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ
“I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allaah,”
Sources:
Tafseer Ibn Katheer
Tayseer Al-Kareem
Story of ‘Ayyoub (‘Alayhis-salaam) by Muhammad Salih al-Munajjid, Al-Munajjid.com
