AYY'OOB
(JOB)
PROPHET
AYY'OOB (JOB)
In the northeastern corner of Arabia, where the land
is hot and sandy, Ayy'oob was privileged by Allah to be the Prophet for the local people. Ayy'oob was one of the descendants of Prophet Ibrahim and a nephew of Ya'qoob (Jacob).
Ayy'oob began to preach about Allah (swt) and for
what Allah called. As with other Prophets, few people believed at first. With time, however, through persistence and perseverance, Ayy'oob began to have a large number of
believers.
Ayy'oob was well known by virtue of patience. He
used to say that all things come from Allah; some of the unfortunate things come from Allah too, but only for special reasons.
CATASTROPHES BEFALL
Ayy'oob was well-to-do and lived comfortably but
began to experience personal catastrophes. His patience and endurance for the sake of the Almighty continues to be matchless. His patience is the best example for
us. Ayy'oob had a large and prosperous farm, with many
sheep and cattle, and a good number of employees. While things were progressing well, his farm was suddenly attacked; the animals were stolen, and the employees were killed.
But upon hearing the news Ayy'oob accepted it in
stride. His heart felt in much pain, of course, and was quite distressed that people were murdered, cattle stolen, and farm destroyed. He felt for the families whose members
were killed, and it hurt him greatly. But in the meantime Ayy'oob saw just about all his livelihood destroyed.
Before recovering from the shock of this catastrophe, the roof of his house fell on his own family
killing everyone. Not a single person survived, his wife, sons, daughters, and relatives, all perished! (Surah 21:
Ayah 83-84.)
TRAGEDIES CONTINUE
It seemed as if one tragedy was in the footstep of
another. Prophet Ayy'oob suddenly had no family now, his house had fallen on itself, his farm destroyed, his sheep and cattle stolen, and his workers murdered. Nothing was
left for him!
Prophet Ayy'oob was utterly shaken, he became
lonely, but his faith in Allah was immense, he was patient and asked for Allah's help. Despite the series of tragedies, Ayy'oob patiently accepted all that happened to him. He
continued his mission of Prophethood, the mission of Allah's Directives.
People questioned Ayy'oob's wisdom and
wondered about Allah's mercy and compassion. They questioned the value of his teachings, since so much had befallen him. People began to doubt, wonder, and disbelieve. Some
even ridiculed Ayy'oob reminding him of the troubles pouring over his head.
In return, Ayy'oob spoke of Allah's mercy
and love, and how to be righteous through faith in Him.
As if he hadn't enough, Ayy'oob developed
an ugly skin disease. Many ulcers covered his face and head, some were nodules, others with brown scars, and some very disfiguring. The lesions spread progressively, covering
his arms and legs, and he became so disfigured that most people could hardly recognize him. It became so severe that it even scared anyone who looked at him!
It became so repulsive that people avoided
him. They left him alone and Ayy'oob felt like the loneliest man in the world. He lost his family and his wealth, and now no one dared to come near him. His condition seemed
hopeless, and his loneliness was the hardest to take.
FINALLY, RELIEF
When Ayy'oob saw the devastation that
befell him, he prayed and prayed saying, "Oh Lord, so much distress and trouble has seized me, but You are the most merciful and I ask Your mercy."
Allah was testing Prophet Ayy'oob for his patience. Allah answered Ayy'oob's prayer. Allah (swt) let
water gush from a spring near Ayy'oob and told him to wash, refresh and bathe in the water. (Surah 38: Ayah 41-44.)
Ayy'oob turned around, and sure enough, a
spring of water was gushing; he washed his face, then poured the water on himself and bathed.
To his delight, he miraculously saw the
bumps and ulcers disappear. Oh what a joy of seeing his normal skin return! Oh how wonderful Allah Almighty is! Oh what a wonderful feeling Ayy'oob must have had!
He knelt and prayed, thanking and praising
the Lord. He never forgot Allah's favors, His mercy, and love.
Prophet Ayy'oob went back to town, and the
people could hardly believe their eyes. They saw that he was cured, looking perfectly normal. He was vigorous, active and ready for work. He reminded them then and there of
Allah's mercy and how important it is to be patient. They witnessed a powerful lesson—one should never, never despair of Allah's mercy.
Prophet Ayy'oob went to work again! He
became well‑to‑do for a second time, became married and had many children. He worked tirelessly as a Prophet to guide, educate, and teach people Allah's Directives.