SAEDNEWS: Prophets are often remembered for the unique stories of their lives—lives shaped by patience, miracles, and a remarkable series of extraordinary events.
According to Saednews, Prophet Ayyub (Job), whose lineage is mentioned in some Islamic sources as Ayyub ibn Isa ibn Maryam ibn Lawi ibn Muslih ibn Qahwar ibn Ra'il ibn Ishaq ibn Ismail ibn Ibrahim, is regarded as one of the prophets of Islam. He is particularly remembered as an outstanding example of patience, steadfastness, and unwavering faith in God during times of severe hardship and trials.
The story of Prophet Ayyub, especially his extraordinary patience and physical endurance, appears in the Qur'an and in various Islamic narrations. His life is often presented as one of the most remarkable examples of remaining devoted to God despite suffering and loss.
Prophet Ayyub is mentioned in the Qur'an as one of God's prophets and as an example of patience and perseverance in the face of hardship.
His name appears four times in the Qur'an:
Surah An-Nisa, 4:163
Surah Al-An'am, 6:84
Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:83
Surah Sad, 38:41
According to some narrations, Ayyub was descended from one of the believers who followed Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). However, Surah Al-An'am suggests that he belonged to the descendants of either Prophet Ibrahim or Prophet Nuh (Noah).
Some Islamic scholars explain that Ayyub was given this name because he continually turned back toward God in every circumstance. According to this interpretation, the name is associated with the Arabic root “Awb” (أوب), which conveys the meaning of returning or turning back.
There are different opinions concerning the historical period in which Prophet Ayyub lived.
One view holds that he lived during the time of Prophet Ya'qub (Jacob), the son of Prophet Ishaq (Isaac). Other historical accounts place him during the era of Pharaoh, around the time of Prophet Musa (Moses), when he was appointed as a prophet.
Because the Qur'an does not provide a detailed historical chronology for Ayyub's life, the exact period remains uncertain.
Islamic historical and exegetical sources give different names for the wife of Prophet Ayyub. Among the names mentioned are:
Liya, daughter of Ya'qub (Jacob)
Rahmat, daughter of Yusuf (Joseph)
Rahmah, daughter of Ephraim ibn Yusuf ibn Ya'qub
Makhir, daughter of Misha ibn Yusuf
These reports differ from one source to another, and there is no single universally accepted identification.
According to some accounts, Prophet Ayyub had seven sons and three daughters before his great trial. After he recovered, he was again blessed with seven sons and three daughters.
Other sources report that he had three sons and four daughters.
Thus, the exact number of his children varies among historical and exegetical traditions.
The Qur'an highlights several important qualities of Prophet Ayyub. Above all, he is remembered for his extraordinary patience and constant devotion to God.
God says:
“Indeed, We found him patient. What an excellent servant! Indeed, he was ever turning back to Us.”
This description captures the central characteristic associated with Ayyub: despite everything he endured, he never abandoned his faith or turned away from God.
Islamic historical and interpretive sources also attribute several other qualities to him, including:
Ayyub was described as deeply grateful for God's blessings and consistently thankful for what he had been given.
He was said to treat people with compassion and to show sympathy toward those who were suffering or in need.
He was known for his generosity, kindness, and concern for others.
Accounts describe him as hospitable and welcoming toward his guests.
He was also regarded as a person of excellent manners and noble character.
Ayyub was described as deeply devoted to God and careful to live a righteous life.
Some reports state that he took responsibility for orphans and provided them with care and support.
One remarkable characteristic attributed to Prophet Ayyub was his humility when asking God to relieve his suffering.
According to one traditional account, during his illness people came to him from near and far. Many of them were themselves sick or facing difficulties, and they asked Ayyub to pray for them. He would pray for them, and they were said to receive healing through his supplications.
People eventually asked him:
“Why don't you pray for yourself?”
He reportedly replied that he felt ashamed to ask God for relief after having enjoyed His blessings and good health for eighty years, simply because he had been tested with hardship for a relatively short period.
This account illustrates the extraordinary patience and gratitude traditionally associated with Prophet Ayyub.
What Was the Trial That Befell Prophet Ayyub?
According to a narration attributed to Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, the suffering that came upon Ayyub was not a punishment for ingratitude or sin. Rather, the trial occurred despite his profound gratitude to God.
According to the narration, Satan became jealous of Ayyub because of his constant gratitude. Satan argued that Ayyub was grateful only because he had been given abundant wealth, comfortable living conditions, children, and worldly blessings.
He challenged God, claiming that if Ayyub's worldly possessions were taken away, Ayyub would no longer remain grateful.
God permitted Satan to test him.
Satan then caused Ayyub's wealth and children to be taken from him one after another. Yet these devastating losses did not weaken Ayyub's gratitude. Instead, his thankfulness increased.
Satan then asked permission to destroy Ayyub's crops and livestock. The crops were destroyed and his animals were lost, but once again Ayyub continued to praise and thank God.
Finally, Satan was permitted to afflict Ayyub's body with severe illness. His condition became so serious that he was unable to move because of the pain and wounds.
Despite the severity of his physical suffering, his mind, understanding, and faith remained intact.
His blessings were gradually taken away, but his spiritual rank continued to rise through his patience and gratitude.
Eventually, a group of religious men visited him and questioned him about his suffering. They suggested that he must have committed some great sin to have been subjected to such an extreme trial.
Ayyub rejected this accusation. He reportedly swore by the honor of his Lord that whenever he ate a meal, he would ensure that a poor or vulnerable person was sharing it with him. Whenever he faced a religious obligation, he would choose the most demanding form of obedience.
After enduring all these trials with patience and gratitude, Ayyub finally turned to God in prayer. His supplication was expressed with great humility and without accusing God or complaining about His decree.
Then God's mercy came to him. His difficulties were removed, and he was granted blessings even greater than those he had previously possessed.
After Prophet Ayyub successfully passed his difficult trial, God instructed him to strike the ground with his foot.
A spring of cool water emerged, providing water for both washing and drinking.
The Qur'an states:
“Strike the ground with your foot. Here is a cool spring for washing and drinking.”
This is mentioned in Surah Sad, 38:42.
According to some traditional reports, Ayyub drank from the spring and washed himself with its water. Before long, he regained his health and youth.
The Qur'an also describes how God restored Ayyub's family and blessings after his suffering had ended.
Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:84 states that God gave him back his family and granted him additional blessings.
Similarly, Surah Sad, 38:43 says:
“And We restored his family to him and added to them the like of them.”
According to a narration attributed to Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, God restored the members of Ayyub's family who had died, including those who had passed away before or during his trial.
Thus, his story ends not with loss, but with restoration and renewed blessings.
Islamic scholars emphasize that Prophet Ayyub's illness was not of a kind that would make people repulsed by him or cause them to avoid him. Such a condition would not be considered appropriate for a prophet.
Rather, the traditional accounts describe his illness, loss of wealth, and loss of family as elements of a divine test.
The central purpose of the story is therefore not to focus on the medical nature of his illness, but on his extraordinary patience, faith, and perseverance throughout the trial.
The Incident Involving Prophet Ayyub and His Wife
The Qur'an refers briefly to an incident involving an oath taken by Prophet Ayyub and his wife.
God says in Surah Sad:
“Take in your hand a bundle of grass and strike with it, and do not break your oath. Indeed, We found him patient. What an excellent servant! He was ever turning back to Us.”
The Qur'an does not identify Ayyub's wife in this passage, nor does it explain precisely what she had done that led Ayyub to make the oath.
However, the verse contains several important points.
The Arabic word “dighth” (ضِغْث) refers to a bundle of grass, plants, or similar stalks.
From the wording of the verse, scholars understood that Ayyub had made an oath concerning his wife. At the same time, the solution provided by God ensured that she would not suffer serious physical harm.
The Arabic word “hanth” (حنث) can mean breaking an oath.
Therefore, according to the traditional interpretation, Ayyub had sworn that he would punish his wife. God then showed him a way to fulfill the oath without causing her significant harm: he was instructed to strike her with a small bundle rather than individually striking her.
This interpretation is also viewed as demonstrating God's mercy and His protection of Ayyub's wife from serious injury.
A Famous Supplication Attributed to Prophet Ayyub
One of the supplications attributed to Prophet Ayyub is as follows:
“O Allah, today I seek refuge in You, so grant me refuge. Today I seek Your protection from the severity of this trial, so protect me. Today I call upon You for help, so help me. Today I call upon You against Your enemy and my enemy, so support me. Today I seek victory from You, so grant me victory. Today I seek Your assistance in my affairs, so assist me. I place my trust in You, so suffice me. I hold firmly to You, so protect me. I believe in You, so grant me security. I ask You, so give to me. I seek provision from You, so provide for me. I seek Your forgiveness, so forgive me. I call upon You, so remember me. I seek Your mercy, so have mercy upon me.”
This supplication is attributed to Mahaj al-Da'awat wa Manhaj al-'Ibadat, pages 308–309.
According to some accounts, after God restored Ayyub's health, wealth, and children, he lived for another 140 years and witnessed four generations of his descendants.
Other reports state that he lived for approximately 200 years in total, including the years before and after his illness and recovery.
The exact length of his life is therefore uncertain and varies among historical sources.
Some historical accounts state that after his death, Prophet Ayyub was buried near the same spring from which he had drunk and with whose water he had washed himself and recovered.
The exact location of his grave, however, is not established with certainty.
The story of Prophet Ayyub remains one of the most powerful examples of patience and faith in Islamic tradition.
His story teaches that hardship is not necessarily a sign of God's displeasure. A person may experience severe loss and suffering while remaining beloved and honored by God.
Ayyub's wealth disappeared, his family suffered, his body became severely ill, and his worldly circumstances changed completely. Yet his gratitude, faith, and trust in God remained firm.
For this reason, Prophet Ayyub is remembered as a symbol of patience, gratitude, humility, perseverance, and unwavering trust in God.
