THE PROPHETS OF ISLAM Al-Huda Foundation
PROPHET
AYUB
Ayub
(Job) was a descendant of A'mis, the third son of Ishaq.
Allah had granted him great wealth and a large family, and he lived in
comfort and peace.
Allah
wanted to test his steadfastness of faith in plenty and in deprivation.
Once lightening struck his live stock and all his animals perished.
This was followed by a storm that destroyed his crops.
The test of deprivation continued, and his house collapsed over his
family, killing all his children. Every
time a calamity struck, he went down in submission to Allah acknowledging that the
Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. There
is none other than Allah who has the power to provide and sustain His creatures
in this world and beyond.
The
trial of patience continued, and Ayub developed ulcers over all his body, and
the maggots ate his rotting flesh. At
these troubled times, many of his friends and followers abandoned him.
Only his beloved wife Raheemah stayed with him throughout his troubles.
She washed and caressed his wounds and fed him with whatever she could
gather.
The
towns people forced him and his devoted wife out into the wilderness.
The series of painful trials did not shake him in his belief in the
Benevolence of Allah. He exhibited his
contentment over the trials of life and with whatever meager provisions he had.
Allah was pleased with His steadfast servant.
He gave him full recovery from his oozing sores.
Upon recovery from his illness, he toiled in his land and regained his
wealth that far exceeded his previous possessions.
Allah granted him new and expanded progeny.
His circle of friends and followers grew larger than ever, and all
wonderd over what Ayub had sustained. This
added greater strength to the faith of the believers.
The
patience and perseverance of Ayub in the face of all suffering is proverbial and
the best example for people of all times.