Lessons Learned from the Story of Prophet Ayoub / Job (A) | IqraSense.com

Lessons Learned from the Story of Prophet Ayoub / Job (A)

Lessons Learned from the Story of Prophet Ayoub / Job (A)

Patience and help from Allah for Prophet Ayoub

Prophet Ayoub (Alaihi-salam – May be peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was one of Allah’s very sincere worshippers. We find in his story many lessons that we can reflect upon to assess our relationship with Allah. This story especially should make us question whether all our sincerity and worship for Allah is dependent on His blessings on us.

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The following story was documented by Ibn Kathir. (See Stories of the Prophets)

Prophet Ayoub (A) was Allah’s thankful, repentant, patient and steadfast worshipper. Allah the Almighty has praised Him in the Quran thus:

Prophet Ayoub Patience in the Quran

“Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance to Us” (Saad 38:44).

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Ibn Kathir narrates that once Iblis (satan) heard an angel praising Ayoub (A) to other angels, extolling his noble character, patience and remembrance of Allah and describing him as “the best creature on earth today, and an excellent model for the worshippers of Allah.” The angel also added that Allah had blessed him with long life and plenty of riches, yet he was never haughty or selfish. His family, servants, the needy and the poor, all had a share in his good fortune. He bought slaves to set them free and made those who received his charity feel as if they were doing him a favor.

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Overhearing all this, Iblis became annoyed and planned to tempt Ayoub (A) and lead him to disbelief. First, he tried to distract him from his prayers by whispering to him about the good things in life, but as a true believer, Ayoub would not let evil thoughts tempt him. Iblis, then tried to attribute ulterior motives to his constant glorification of Allah, projecting his worship as being motivated from greed to safeguard his wealth. Iblis thus said to Allah, “If You deprive him of his wealth You will find that he will no longer mention Your name and his praying will stop.”

Allah told Iblis that Ayoub (A) was one of His most sincere devotees whose worship stemmed from his heart and had nothing to do with material gifts or favors granted to him. To prove His devotee’s depth of sincerity and patience, Allah allowed Iblis to do whatever he wished with Ayoub (A)’s wealth.

Delighted, Iblis gathered his helpers and set about destroying Ayoub (A)’s cattle, servants and farms, depriving him of all his possessions. Then in the guise of a wise old man he approached him and said:

“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.

Steadfast in his faith, Ayoub (A) 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,” and he prostrated before his Lord.

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Frustrated with his failure, Iblis again addressed Allah:

“I have stripped Ayoub (A) 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 Ayoub (A) will reject You.”

Allah again granted Iblis authority, but warned him that it would reduce neither Ayoub (A)’s faith in his Lord nor his patience.

Iblis gathered his helpers and brought the house in which Ayoub (A)’s children were living, crashing down, killing all of them. Disguised as a man who had come to sympathize with him, he said:

“The circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, your Lord is not rewarding you properly for all your prayers.”

The faithful believer of Allah replied, disappointing Iblis once again:

“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.”

Saying this he prostrated to his Lord. Extremely vexed, Iblis again called on Allah:

O my Lord, Ayoub (A)’s wealth is gone and 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 stop worshipping You and will thus become disobedient.”

Allah 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 afflicted Ayoub (A)’s body with disease, reducing it to mere skin and bone. He suffered severe pain yet remained strong in faith, and patiently bore all the suffering without complaints. Hopeful of Allah’s Mercy, he neither despaired nor turned to others for help. Although he had lost all his children and was deprived of his wealth and physically afflicted, he still continued to glorify Allah the Almighty day and night. His disease lasted for a long time. His friends felt disgusted and his close relatives deserted him. The sole companion and comforter through many years of his suffering was his kind and loving wife.

Iblis became desperate. He consulted his helpers but they asked him:

“How is it that your cleverness cannot work against Ayoub (A), yet you succeeded in misleading Adam, the father of man, out of paradise?”

Iblis went to Ayoub (A)’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 he had enjoyed good health, wealth and children. The painful memory of years of hardship overwhelmed her. She burst into tears and asked her husband:

“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?

Ayoub (A) sighed, and replied softly:

“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 he asked, “How long have I been suffering like this?”

She said, “Seven years.”

Then he 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 that I enjoyed. Your faith seems to have weakened and you are dissatisfied with the fate decreed by Allah. If I ever regain health, I swear I will punish you with a hundred strokes! From this day, I shall not eat or drink anything from your hand. Leave me alone and let my Lord do with me as He pleases.”

Crying bitterly, with no other choice, she left with a heavy heart. In his helpless state, Ayoub (A) turned to Allah, not to complain but to seek His mercy:

Prophet Ayoub called Allah for help and dua

“And (remember) Ayyub (Job), when he cried to his Lord: ‘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 those who worship Us” (Al-Anbiya 21:83-84).

Almighty Allah further says in the Quran:

Shaitan satan after Prophet Ayoub

“And remember Our slave Ayyub (Job), when he invoked his Lord (saying): ‘Verily Shaitan (Satan) has touched me with distress (by ruining my health) and torment (by ruining my wealth)!’ (Allah said to him): “Strike the ground with your foot: This is (a spring of) water to wash in, and a cool and (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 (Sad 38:41-43).

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Ayoub (A) obeyed Allah’s instructions, and almost immediately his good health was restored. Meanwhile, his faithful wife who could no longer bear to be parted from her husband returned to beg his forgiveness, and to serve him. On entering the house, she was amazed at the sudden change she saw. Ayoub (A) had regained his health! She embraced him and thanked Allah for His mercy.

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Ayoub (A) was now worried about the oath he had taken to punish her with a hundred strokes if he regained health. He did not wish to hurt her but could not break a promise to Allah. Therefore, Allah in His wisdom and mercy, came to the assistance of His faithful servant, and instructed him:

Allah told Prophet Ayoub

“And take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith (your wife), and break not your oath” (Sad 38:44).

Thus Allah the Most Merciful rewards His faithful and grateful servants.

Source: Ibn Kathir

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This story should remind us that we should never make our worship and sincerity toward Allah contingent on our perceived blessings. Allah tests us in many ways and we should, therefore, be steadfast in His worship constantly.

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61 comments… add one
  • Sameena Link Reply

    JazakAllah khair for making us realise through this story that we should “never make our worship and sincerity toward Allah contingent on our perceived blessings.” How often don’t we make the mistake of taking Allah’s blessings for granted, and complain about the least of inconveniences! May Allah Grant us steadfast faith which wouldn’t waver with the world’s perception of the test we may be going through. Let us also learn to strengthen each other’s faith instead of speaking in the discouraging and misleading manner that satan spoke to Ayoub Alaihi-salam.

    • EDGAR M. LEONARD Sr. Link Reply

      This life is a test and depending on how we acquit ourselves in that test will decide our existence in this life and in the life in the hereafter.
      Regardless of our trials and tribulations, we must never ever loose our faith, sole dependence and trust in Almighty God.
      We must worship and serve HIM only, do good works to our fellow man, and believe in the Last Day. There is no other god besides Almighty God.
      May Almighty God Allah bless you for the elucidation of this life-relevant story.
      Edgar M. Leonard Sr.
      True Faith Believer.

  • maryam Link Reply

    May Allah (swa) give us the ability to serve him in all conditions we find our selves. Ameen

  • Muhammed Ghani Link Reply

    SubhanAllah, May Allah Give us the Tofeeq (strength) to face each and every difficulty with Iman (Ameen) Our mother loves us nine times more than our father, because she carry us for 9 months but Allah loves us many more times than that. Allah never put his own creation in difficulties it is merely our own wrong doings that we suffer. Allah sometimes test us with his provision and sometime by taking away from us. Allah is very very very merciful and kind. May Allah give us the strength to face the difficulties with Iman. (Ameen)

  • Benyamin Link Reply

    Alhamdulillah may Allah swt make us all, as well as all of our brothers and sisters worldwide to be those who beg for forgiveness, repent often as He swt loves, that He swt will becomes our wali, who will act as Al-Mujib for us “the responsive” to our dua’s. Ameen

  • Shamsa Link Reply

    SubahanAllah!!! Shukraan for the information! Sometimes the answers come to us in amazing ways…especially if we are in the situation!!
    My Almighty hears our DUA!
    May Almighty Allah grant us knowledge in our DEEN:
    Shukraan for your work::: May Alamighty Allah reward you all!

  • Samreen Link Reply

    Jazakallah!
    You have refreshed my memory about one of the greatest prophets In Islam. Your efforts are commendable!
    May Allah help your team in its noble work, ameen

  • Mashallah very inspiring story of prophet Ayub(as) this is a great lesson and reminder that we have to be steadfast in our deen and have patience and iman to our creator.He is the one who gives and he can take it away as he wills.May Allah make us among the believers inshallah.

  • khairat Link Reply

    Gud story mashallah Inshallah may Allah guide us and strengthen our faith AMIN

  • Rauph Egbewole Link Reply

    Allah will continue to bless those responsible for this and also bless all who endeavour to read and understand as well as follow His directives

  • Hakeem Link Reply

    May ALLAH make it easy for us to submit to HIM,Amin!

  • zainab Link Reply

    Jazzakhallah khayran for dis message, it came jst in time for me, i shall pass this on to my family as a reminder of Allah’s mercy. Also to remind them that no matter the condition, never stop worshipping Allah 4 He alone can take away hardship in our lives..May Allah Subhanahu Watahalla make us one of His tru and obedient slaves Ameen

  • Anisa nassir Link Reply

    Allahumma jaalnna minal swbirin.allahuma la tajal duniya akbara hammina wala mablagha ilmina amin.

  • Rahma Link Reply

    May Allah subhanahu wata’aala reward you and increase our knowledge. We are so busy nowadays we forget to glorify Allah and thank Allah for the innumerable blessings He bestows us. May Allah forgive us for he is surely merciful.

  • Anjum Amin Link Reply

    Yes, it is certainly a test every step of the way on this earth were Shaitan is always out to get us and prevent us for being grateful to Almighty Allah. May Allah Almighty give us the strength, courage and wisdom to avoid the regular incitements from Shaitan and let us follow the example of Hazarat Ayoub.

    Thanks to IqraSense for sharing this wonderful story of Prophet Ayoub.

  • Nasrine Link Reply

    what a good lecture for our teenagers and everyone who does not have sabaar(patience) including me. May Allah guide us and our family and protects us from Shaitan. Ameen

    Thank you

  • SAFIEYAH Link Reply

    Algamdoelielaa what a beautifull reminder of how strong our imaan should be & how gratefull we should be towards Allah
    Allahu Akbar
    Jazakala Khair

  • yusra Link Reply

    Jazakumullahu khair, may Allah SWT grant us Sabar

  • Yahaya Kashim Link Reply

    Subhannallah, Alhamdullillah W’allahu akbar!

  • adamu sufi Link Reply

    Salamu alaikum
    Please contemplate on the lessions from prophet Ayub (A)
    in summary we will be test with following
    1 LOST OF WEALTH: inform of investments in various forms
    2 LOST OF BELOVED: in form of loss children, parents,wives, trusted friends, etc
    3. LOST OF HEALTH : in various forms
    4. FITNAH FROM FAMILY: From wife, children, relatives,friends, etc
    May Allah(SWA) help us to overcome it.
    may Allah increase our Iman and guide us from mischief of Satans. Amin
    Adamu sufi

  • Anon Link Reply

    Yes, could’nt leave with out saying or praising Prophet Ayoub A.S patience with the help of Almighty Allah blessings, its true they are the chosen one indeed from Allah, and we should not just obey Allah for the reward,
    the concept of reward and punish has created by Almighty Allah by himself and Allah says that we do not put load or hardships more than a person’s bearings. and indeed as Allah SWT chosen his prophets and special people for his work they are special not just like common person. their faith, patience, act, knowledge, beliefs, puriety, intellectual power, innocency, prayers, are many times more stronger than us common people. so they have got unique and special place with their Lord or Allah SWT.
    May Almighty Allah help us to be on right path till we die.Ameen.

  • ummhafsat Link Reply

    masha Allah this is a great lesson to all true believers may the almigty increase our faith ameen

  • Muhammad Nazeer Link Reply

    Alhammdulillah this is indeed a great reminder. May Allah makes us patience and steadfast in his worship. Patience and taqwa are the greatest things we should pursue and seek Allah’s assistance in achieving them. This is because they summarise what Allah enjoys us to do, to get his ultimate blessing. Remember in suratul Yusufa (AS) Allah is saying …..Innahu man yataqi wa yasbir fa innAllaha la yudhi’u ajral muhusinin.Also remember suratul Asr said it all by pointing to sabar and taqwa.May Allah make us among his favoured servants Ameen.

  • Haadiyah Link Reply

    JazakAllah for sharing. This is inspiration 2 me.

  • A very beautiful and inspiring story!!!

  • Arib Link Reply

    JazakAllah Khair!
    Wonderful and great lessons for us!!!
    Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Salman Link Reply

    Alhamdulillah Rabbil’alameen…May Allah in His infinity mercy continue to enrich the knowledge of the editor(s) and the members…Absolute faith in Allah(SWT) is highly rewarding but somehow not so easy except with the help and mercy of Allah(SWT)..However, we must be steadfast in reading “Rabbana Latus’kulubbana Ba’ada is’ahadaetana Wa’abulana Min Ladun Karamatan Innaka Antal’Wahab” all the times for Allah guidance and faith in him because it is only Allah who can make us to be steadfast and strong in Him…Not by power or myths….Jazakallah Khaera

  • Bilal Ahmad Link Reply

    A good story for all people. May Almighty Allah increase our faith and Patience.

  • SIKIRU ABODUNRIN Link Reply

    MAY ALLAH CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE THOSE PEOPLE THAT POST TO THIS WEBSITE IN KNOWLEDGE AS THEY STRIVE TO REMIND US OF OUR PURPOSE IN LIFE

  • Imran Link Reply

    assalamu alaikum
    Alhamdulillah Rabbil’alameen…May Allah in His infinity mercy continue to enrich the knowledge of the editor(s) and the members…Absolute faith in Allah(SWT) is highly rewarding but somehow not so easy except with the help and mercy of Allah(SWT)..However, we must be steadfast in reading “Rabbana Latuzigh’kulubbana Ba’ada is’ahadaetana Wa’hablana Min Ladun Ka rahmatan Innaka Antal’Wahab” all the times for Allah guidance and faith in him because it is only Allah who can make us to be steadfast and strong in Him

  • Sana Link Reply

    I am so touched with this story. Allah almighty is great and his creations like the messengers have such great patience and faith towards Allah SWT. Ya Allah guide us to the straioght path whom you favored.
    Ameen!

    Iqrasense team, I am delighted to be a reader of this forum. May Allah help us to spread the Islamic knowledge to many and hope we all apply the good morals of it in our lives.
    Ameen!

  • Bintou Link Reply

    Masha ALLAH
    I am happy to have read this article and I have learnt a lot from it. May ALLAH TBARAKA-WATA’ALA reward the person and all those who contributed in making this article reach us. May ALLAH in HIS infinite power guide us all muslims to the right path of whom HE has favoured no those who went astray or whom earn his anger. May ALLAH SUBHANAHU WA TA;ALA guide us from shaitans temptation and make us devouted muslims.
    JAZAKALLAHU HAIR.

  • Mohammed shoeb khan Link Reply

    As salam alai kum

    Its really great knowledge about Islam I am really thankful for the beautiful knowledge just keep it up

    Thanking All Of You
    shoeb

  • Zenna Kibwanga Awio Link Reply

    Thank U so much for this post n reminder, most of us do not remember Allah at all times. May this really be a lesson to us.

    Allah bless U 4 this post

  • Bro. Ramadhan Suleiman Link Reply

    Wallahi this story is as if it’s my first time to hear it. Mashalla, what a lesson to learn in our entire life. May Allah bless Iqra sense .com

  • jaafar Link Reply

    AWW. Thanks Iqrasense for sharing such a wonderful and educative story of Prophet Ayoud (as). Thanks Kathir and God bless you. Wabilah tawfiq

  • maimuna Link Reply

    Alhamdullahi for this beautiful and encouraging story. For some time now my spirit has been down: thinking, why Allah would not accept my prayers and make my dreams come to reality. i have been repeating the same prayer point for over 20 years. from this story i understand that patience and firm faith are the key words. may Allah give us all patience and strong faith to withstand any test that might come our way. Amin.

    • Sameena Link Reply

      Sister Maimuna, I recollect reading a prayer which went something like this: “O Allah I am content with what you have planned for me, for I know that your plans for me are better than my dreams.”
      May Allah Grant us all the wisdom and patience required to make this our constant prayer – Aameen!

  • Farouk Link Reply

    Masha Allah and Jazakallah Khairan. Am proud and happy to associate with Iqrasense. Please continue to remind us, for you are performing another form of Da’awah.

  • galid Link Reply

    May Allah make us better men and more understanding in our religion. Because i used to pray, than stopped . I hate myself 4 it, for being weak. I wish i was stronger in that!! There is no god but Allah and Muhammed is his prophet! Salam alaikum brothers and sisters from the Netherlands.

  • Anonymous Link Reply

    Subhanallah,this story shows it is Allah who is in control of everything,even Ibliss asks Allah to allow him to test Ayoub[a.s]
    Such kind of tests will only come to those who truely are sincere to Allah in all ways of worship and truely living Islam it is a test of those who truelly lived islam and remeber that everything is from Allah,even ibliss has to get permission from Allah.What we should ask ourselves are we ready for even a 1/8 portion of Ayoubs test?
    May Allah keep as alive with Islam until we are true to our selves.Amin

  • M waseem Akram Link Reply

    Alhamdulilah.Great work.Let allah bless us with firm faith on him.keep it

  • sharifa Link Reply

    Asalam,

    Thank you for always reminding us about the Remebrance of Allah. May the Almighty reward you abundantly.

  • assalmu alliekum we should follow what this story is talking about and inssallah Allah will reward us well

  • Aminu Jibril Link Reply

    Strong and sustainable faith are what we lack these days. This story of Prophet Ayoub (A) conveys great lessons for any Muslim that is afflicted with sickness. We saw how his faith was stregntened with challenges, he never lost hope as we wuold have done today. Anyway, that was the Prophet of Allah. However, we can learn some lessons therewith, however small. May Allah guide us, amin. Jazakumullah bikhair.

  • Leila Link Reply

    Assalam aleikum,am always happy and peaceful when i get to read such teachings you present to me.i will try as much as i can to put into practice and May Allah swt be my guide all through amin,Shukran Iqrasence

  • Alhamdollilah, this story is like a blessing in disguise for my life. As I am currently going through the worst phase of my life and very often say that Allah is responsible for all my problems and get disappointed. But this has made me stronger and i m quite sure that InshaAllah Allah will solve all my problems and grant me a blessed marital life. Please pray for me

  • mubasshira Link Reply

    wow ammeeen

  • Jimoh Haruna Link Reply

    May Almighty Allah continue to shower His endless blessing upon the prophet and make it easy for us to exercise the type of his patience. (Ameen)

  • muzakir Link Reply

    may Allah bestowed us with a firm faith and patient

  • Anonymous Link Reply

    May Allah in his infinite mercy grant us all the steadfastness in our worship

  • zakariyya Aboubkr Link Reply

    May Allah in his infinite mercy grant us all the steadfastness in his worship

  • Basheer Link Reply

    Alhamdu Lillah, I could read it when I needed it the most. It gives me more strength to be steadfast in the worship of Allah The Almighty and get rid of the whisperings of Iblis. I will always seek the help of Allah to be successful.
    Thanks and Regards to the publisher. May Allah shower his blessings to your endeavors of enlightening people like me.

  • Sarah Rasheed Link Reply

    Alhamdu lillah, i have laerned many things when i have read this story.
    i now know that you always should have patients and stay calm and also the most important thing is have faith in Allah

  • ghadeeer Link Reply

    thank u very much i have learned alot

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