Download PDF: [S] The Test of Nabi Ayyub

Nabi Ayyub ‘Alayhis Salaam was among the descendants of Nabi Ishaq ‘Alayhis Salaam. His blessed mother was also a descendent of Nabi Lut ‘Alayhis Salaam.

 

Allah azza wajal had blessed Nabi Ayyub ‘Alayhis Salaam with immense wealth and riches. He was very handsome, had many children and had immense wealth in the form of orchards and animals.

 

When Allah azza wajal decided to test him, his house collapsed and all his children were crushed to death. Suddenly, all his crops and orchards dried up and all his animals also died. Nabi Ayyub ‘Alayhis Salaam was left with nothing and was penniless. However, as each thing was destroyed, he continued to praise Allah azza wajal and continued to worship the Creator without any hesitation. He also mentioned to everyone, “Whatever I had belonged to Him. He had kept it with me for a few moments and when He wished, He had taken it away. However, in all conditions, I am happy with His Divine Wish and Decree.”

Nabi Ayyub ‘Alayhis Salaam then became very ill. Large boils appeared on his skin and everyone deserted him except his wife. She was also the granddaughter of Nabi Yusuf ‘Alayhis Salaam. Her name was “Rehmat binte Afraa’im’” In spite of everything, she continued to serve him and look after him. He spent many years in this state.

 

We must also beware of a very sensitive issue which is that there are some ignorant people who say that that he suffered from leprosy. There are many unauthentic books found in the market place which has some ridiculous stories about this incident. All of these stories are baseless and have no proper references. We must bear in mind that one of the important beliefs of the Ahle Sunnah wa Jamaah is that none of the Prophets ever suffered from leprosy or other such disease. It must also be remembered that the mission of a Prophet is to call people towards Allah azza wajal and if they possess such sickness which turns people away, how will they be able to fulfil this important mission for which they have been specifically sent by Allah azza wajal?

 

In conclusion, neither Nabi Ayyub ‘Alayhis Salaam or any Prophet ever suffered from such diseases which made people turn away from them. As for those who turned away from Nabi Ayyub ‘Alayhis Salaam, they could have turned away because they saw that perhaps he had no more money or wealth.

 

The Du’a of Nabi Ayyub ‘Alayhis Salaam

 

As per the Divine Command of Allah azza wajal he was commanded to make the following Du’a which is mentioned in Surah Al Ambiya 21, verse 83:

 

وَ اَیُّوۡبَ اِذْ نَادٰی رَبَّہٗۤ اَنِّیۡ مَسَّنِیَ الضُّرُّ وَ اَنۡتَ اَرْحَمُ الرّٰحِمِیۡنَ ﴿ۚۖ۸۳﴾

 

“And remember Ayub when he called his Lord that distress has touched me and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful.”

 

However, when this great Prophet passed all the tests and trials which came to him, his Du’a was accepted and Allah azza wajal commanded him to stamp his foot on the ground. When he did this, a spring of water suddenly appeared and he was instructed to dip his leg in this water. When Nabi Ayyub ‘Alayhis Salaam did this, suddenly all the blisters on his body disappeared. He then walked another forty paces and again he was commanded to stamp his foot on the ground and another spring of water appeared. The water was extremely cold and very delicious. When Nabi Ayyub ‘Alayhis Salaam drank this water, his inner being began to fill with Nur. He was also blessed with immense power and strength. All his children were once more brought to life. His wife was once again blessed with young age. Nabi Ayyub ‘Alayhis Salaam was also blessed with more children and all his lost wealth and property was once again returned to him. As a matter of fact, twice the amount all of his lost wealth and property was given to him.

 

He once took an oath to whip his wife a hundred times

 

Once during his period of illness, he called out to his wife and she delayed in answering his call. In a fit of anger he took an oath that he would whip her a hundred times. However, such was the blessing on him by the Divine Creator azza wajal that he was ordered to fasten a hundred strands of grass and then lash his wife once. In this way, his oath would also be fulfilled. This is mentioned in Surah Saad (38), verse 42-44:

 

اُرْکُضْ بِرِجْلِکَ ۚ ہٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌۢ بَارِدٌ وَّ شَرَابٌ ﴿۴۲﴾وَ وَہَبْنَا لَہٗۤ اَہۡلَہٗ وَ مِثْلَہُمۡ مَّعَہُمْ رَحْمَۃً مِّنَّا وَ ذِکْرٰی لِاُولِی الْاَلْبٰبِ ﴿۴۳﴾ وَ خُذْ بِیَدِکَ ضِغْثًا فَاضْرِبۡ بِّہٖ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ ؕ اِنَّا وَجَدْنٰہُ صَابِرًا ؕ نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ؕ اِنَّہٗۤ اَوَّابٌ ﴿۴۴﴾

“We said, ‘strike your foot with the ground, here is the cool stream for bathing and for drinking.’ And We bestowed him his family and others like them in addition to them as a mercy from Us and as admonition to the people of understanding. And We said, ‘take in your hand a broom of dry grass and strike there with and break not your oath. Undoubtedly, We found him steadfast, What an excellent slave was he? Verily he is of returning.”

 

In summary, Nabi Ayyub ‘Alayhis Salaam passed all the trials and tests which came to him and he was amply rewarded by Allah azza wajal. The Qur’an has also blessed him with the title of “Awwab” which means that he continued to turn to Allah azza wajal in all circumstances. This also becomes a lesson for the Muslims that they should be prepared all the time for tests and trials in their lives. When they are able to pass all of these trials and tests, then they are given such reward and elevation which is beyond the ordinary mind to fathom.