The Story of Ayyub (Job)
by Imam Ibn Kathir
Note Sayyiduna Ayyub Lost all his family (bar his wife) Lost all his wealth, Lost and his
Health. As this was his Test from Allah and remember he was a Prophet and look and learn from this Story.
there is a says that is Sabr-Ayyub .. he never complained because he know it all came from Allah. He was busy
with doing Dhikr and leaving his Hope in Allah.. from Muhammad Sajad Ali
Ibn Ishaaq stated that he was a man of Rum. His name was Job, Ibn Mose, Ibn Razeh, Ibn Esau, Ibn Isaac , Ibn
Abraham . Someone else said he was Job, Ibn Mose, Ibn Rimil, Ibn Esau, Ibn Isaac, Ibn Jacob. There have also
been other statements on his lineage. Ibn Asaker narrated that his mother was a daughter of Lot . It was said,
also, that his father was one who believed in Abraham when he was cast into the fire.
The first opinion is the most plausable, because he was a descendant of Abraham’s offspring as Allah Almighty
declared:
And that was Our proof which We gave Abraham against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly
your Lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. And We bestowed upon him Isaac and Jacob, each of them We guided, and
before him, We guided Noah, and among his progeny David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. Thus do We
reward the good-doers. Surah 6: 83-84
Allah the Almighty praised His worshiper Job in His Glorious Qur’an:
Truly! We found him patient. How excellent (a) slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)!
Surah 38: 44
Job 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 Job, a man of noble character who displays great patience and always remembers his
Generous Lord. He is an excellent model for the worshipers of Allah. 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.”
Iblis, overhearing all this, became annoyed. He planned to tempt Job to corruption and disbelief, so he
hastened to him. He tried to distract Job from his prayers by whispering to him about the good things in life,
but Job was a true believer and would not let evil thoughts tempt him. This disturbed Iblis more; thus he began
to hate Job even more.
Iblis complained to Allah about Job. He said that although he was continuously glorifying Allah, he was not
doing so out of his sincerity but to satisfy Allah so that his wealth should not be taken away. It was all a
show, all out of greed. “If You remove his wealth then You will find that his tongue will no longer mention
Your name and his praying will stop.”
Allah told Iblis that Job was one of His most sincere devotees. He did not worship Him because of the favors;
his worship stemmed from his heart and had nothing to do with material things. But to prove to Iblis the depth
of Job’s sincerity and patience, Allah allowed him to do whatever he and his helpers wished with Job’s wealth.
Iblis was very happy. He gathered his helpers and set about destroying Job’s cattle, servants, and farms until
he was left with no possessions.
Rubbing his hands in glee, Iblis appeared before Job in the guise of a wise old man and said to him: “All your
wealth is lost. Some people say that it is because you gave too much charity and that you are wasting your time
with your continuous prayers to Allah. Others say that Allah has brought this upon you in order to please your
enemies. If Allah had the capacity to prevent harm, then He would have protected your wealth.” True to his
belief, Job replied: “What Allah has taken away from me belongs to Him. I was only its trustee for a while. He
gives to whom He wills and withholds from whom He wills.” With these words, Job again prostrated to his Lord.
When Iblis saw this, he felt frustrated, so he again addressed Allah: “I have stripped Job of all his
possessions, but he still remains grateful to You. However, he is only hiding his disappointment, for he places
great store by his many children. The real test of a parent is through his children. You will then see how Job
will reject You.” Allah granted Iblis authority, but warned him that it would not reduce Job’s faith in his
Lord nor his patience.
Iblis again gathered his helpers and set about his evil deeds. He shook the foundation of the house in which
Job’s children were living and sent the building crashing, killing all of them. Then he went to Job disguised
as a man who had come to sympathize with him. In a comforting tone he said to Job: ‘The circumstances under
which your children died were sad. Surely, your Lord is not rewarding you properly for all your prayers.”
Having said this, Iblis waited anxiously, hoping Job was now ready to reject Allah. But again Job disappointed
him by replying: “Allah sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is sometimes pleased and sometimes displeased
with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial or harmful to me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain
thankful to my Creator.” Then Job prostrated to his Lord. At this Iblis was extremely vexed.
Iblis again called on Allah. “O my Lord, Job’s wealth is gone, his children are dead, but he is still healthy
in body, and as long as he enjoys good health he will continue to worship You in the hope of regaining his
wealth and producing more children. Grant me authority over his body so that I may weaken it. He will surely
neglect worshipping You and will thus become disobedient.”
Allah wanted to teach Iblis a lesson that Job was a devoted servant of his Lord, so He granted Iblis his third
request but placed a condition: “I give you authority over his body but not over his soul, intellect, or heart,
for in these places reside the knowledge of Me and My religion.”
Armed with this new authority, Iblis began to take revenge on Job’s body and filled it with disease until it
was reduced to mere skin and bone and he suffered severe pain. But through all the suffering Job remained
strong in his faith, patiently bearing all the hardships without complaining. Allah’s righteous servant did not
despair or turn to others for help but remained hopeful of Allah’s mercy. Even 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: “Job was a man having much wealth of all kinds: beasts, 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.”
Therefore, Iblis became desperate. He consulted his helpers, but they could not advise him. They asked: “How is
it that your cleverness cannot work against Job, yet you succeeded in misleading Adam, the father of man, out
of Paradise?”
Iblis went to Job’s wife in the form of a man. “Where is your husband?” he asked her. She pointed to an almost
lifeless form crumpled on the bed and said: ‘There he is, suspended between life and death.” Iblis reminded her
of the days when Job had good health, wealth and children. Suddenly, the painful memory of years of hardship
overcame her, and she burst into tears. She said to Job: “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?” Job 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: “For eighty years.” Then Job
asked: “How long am I suffering like this?” She said: “For seven years.’’ Job 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 from 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 state, Job 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.” Surah 21: 83-84
Almighty Allah also instructed:
And remember Our slave Job, 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, 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. Surah 38: 41-43
Job obeyed, and almost immediately his good health was restored. Meanwhile, his faithful wife could no 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: Job was again healthy! She embraced him and thanked
Allah for His mercy. Job was now worried, for he had taken an oath to punish her with a hundred strokes if he
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:
And take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith (your wife), and break not your oath.” Truly!
We found him patient. How excellent (a) slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)!” Surah
38: 44
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad said: “While Job was naked,
taking a bath, a swarm of gold locusts fell on him, and he started collecting them in his garment. His Lord
called him: ‘0 Job! Have I not made you too rich to need what you see?’ He said: ‘Yes, 0 Lord! But I cannot
shun Your Blessings.”
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. Allah also revealed: "Tell them, O My slaves who have wronged their souls: 'Do not despair of Allah's mercy.' " (Al-Zumar:53).