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Ayyub: An Example of Faith and Patience
The story of Ayyub (Job) gives consolation to all those who are ill or deprived of wealth or children.
The angels were discussing the conditions of mankind, their obedience
and disobedience. One of them said that Ayyub was the best man on earth.
He was an obedient believer, always praying to Allah. Allah blessed Ayyub
to be wealthy for eighty years. During this time he never forgot to worship
or thank Allah.
He shared his wealth with the poor and clothed the naked.
Satan could not believe that there was a servant as sincere as Ayyub.
Satan thought that his wealth was the reason for his sincerity, so he asked
Allah for power to take away Ayyub's wealth with the intentions to mislead
him.
He reacted to his lost by saying that the wealth belongs to Allah and
I thank him for what he has granted me and I thank him for what he has taken.
He then kneeled down in prayer. This made Satan angry.
Satan tried twice to mislead Ayyub after losing his wealth by asking
Allah for power to take away his children and health. Allah (subhanahu
wa ta'ala) said I will give you power over his body, but I warn you
against approaching his soul, tongue, and heart, because in them lies the
secret of Faith. Ayyub acted in the same manner as when his wealth was
taken away from him.
Satan realized that he couldn't misguide Ayyub, so he went to his wife
to mislead her, by reminding her of their previous life style. Satan
was successful in misleading his wife. This led to her complaining to
Ayyub about their present state. This caused Ayyub to become upset
with her and he vowed that he would beat her 100 times if Allah gave
him back his health.
Satan was not successful in misguiding Ayyub. Allah then restored him
with all that he had lost. Ayyub now had to fulfill his vow of striking
his wife.
Allah ordered him to strike his wife once with a 100 pieces of good
smelling grass, out of mercy for her. Indeed Allah is the most merciful.
The story of Ayyub should be a constant reminder for us all. We should
read this story often just to remind ourselves. Many of us complain about
the little things in life. Allah tested Ayyub in ways that we can really
relate to. His faith and patience is something that we as true believing
Muslims should try and implement in our lives, when Allah tests us in
these situations. In the Quraan Allah says,
"Truly! We found him patient. How excellent (a) slave! Verily, he was
ever oft returning in repentance (to us)." [Quran:38:4].
During these times we must remember Allah more, pray harder, and be
more thankful instead of being dissatisfied with our condition. We should
praise and thank Allah for every condition that he tests us with. As we know these are the times when Satan tries to work on us the
most by playing with our minds, emotions, and weaknesses. Allah would
never forget to reward a servant for such a great task.
"And (remember) Ayyub when he cried to his Lord: Verily, distress has
seized me and you are the Most Merciful of all who show mercy." [Quraan:21:83]
"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." [Quraan:21:84]
May Allah give us the faith and the patience when we are tested.
Ameen.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Faith wears out in the heart of any one of you just as clothes wear
out, so ask Allaah to renew the faith in your hearts.” (Reported by al-Haakim and its isnaad is saheeh.)
The Messenger of Allah (may peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Faith has over seventy branches or over sixty branches, the most excellent of which is the declaration that there is no god but Allah,
and the humblest of which is the, removal of what is injurious from
the path: and modesty is the branch of faith. (Sahih Muslim)
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it by his
hand (by action), and if he cannot, then by his tongue (by speaking out),
and if he cannot, then by his heart (by feeling that it is wrong),
and that is the weakest of faith.” (Al-Bukhaari).
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