Much can be learned from the story of the Prophet Ayyub, for he is the ideal example of a suffering believer who was patient and loyal to the Lord.

 

Everyone faces trials and tribulations at some point in their lives. Patience helps believers to cope with it. When calamity strikes a patient believer, it does not overwhelm him. Instead, the believer perseveres, insists, and hopes for Allah’s mercy and the rewards that await him on the Day of Judgment. Patience is a virtue that can be worked to develop.

 

 

The Holy Quran mentions the Prophet Ayyub (Peace be upon him) four times. He lived in what is now Syria. Before he fell ill, the Prophet Ayyub was a very wealthy man. He owned treasures of gold and silver owned lands, farms, fields and cattle. He also had many children. Scholars say that the Prophet Ayyub contracted the disease when he was 70.

 

 

The illness was severe. Historians write that Ayub’s one limb was disease-free, except his tongue and heart, which remembered Allah. Nevertheless, he lost his children and all his family except his wife, who was devoted to him.

 

Historians record varying durations and degrees of the Prophet’s illness. Some claim that his illness lasted three years, others seven, and even eighteen. Regardless of the exact number of years, it is sure that the Prophet Ayyub endured illness for a very long time.

 

 

 

Prophet Ayyub never complained, got angry, or rejected the fate Allah intended for him. In harsh and challenging times, the Prophet Ayyub praised the Lord day and night.

 

What prompted this patience? Why didn’t he lose it?

 

 

Prophets and devout believers know that Allah will test His servants with trials and tribulations to test their endurance, to increase their rank in Paradise, and to blot out the sins they have committed.

 

 

Disasters befalling a Muslim should not be perceived as disasters that ruin his/her life but as signs that Allah loves him/her. For some Muslims, it is a blessing in disguise, a wake-up call to turn to Allah and repent.

 

Companion Saad ibn Abhi, His Waqas, asked:

 

“O Messenger of Allah, who will be tested most severely?” One is tested by religious piety. If his religious commitment is strong, he will be tested harder. If his religious bond is weak, he will be tested according to his religious bond. Calamity will befall them until they walk the earth without sin.”

 

Both the Prophet Ayyub and his wife were very patient. She cared for her husband, served her husband alone, worked in the village, and earned her livelihood to feed herself and her husband. However, one day she asked her husband why he had not prayed to Allah to cure her illness.

 

Prophet Ayyub replied, “I lived for seventy years in prosperity and health. Why shouldn’t I be patient for the sake of Allah for seventy years.”

 

After realizing the physical toll his situation had taken on his wife, Prophet Ayyub raised his hands and supplicated to Allah without complaining to anyone else. Making dua is consistent with being patient. A believer is encouraged to make dua to Allah but to be wary of complaining and grumbling to people.

 

“And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, ‘Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the most merciful of the merciful.'” 

 

(Qur’an 21:83)

 

After turning to Allah, calling fervently upon Allah, and supplicating, without becoming disgruntled or dissatisfied with the decree of Allah, Ayyub’s call was answered. Allah directed Prophet Ayyub to drink from and bathe in a cool spring. He was cured and his body healed.

 

“[So he was told], ‘Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for a] cool bath and drink.'” (Qur’an 38:42)

 

Prophet Ayyub was cured, and Allah restored his wife’s youth.

 

What we learn from the story of Prophet Ayyub is true patience and acceptance while still seeking refuge in Allah and turning to Allah for help.

 

We will encounter hardships, but we must deal with our hardships as a test, an opportunity to exhibit patience and firm belief in Allah.

 

How do we pass these tests? The calamity will only serve as an expiation of sins and higher rewards if we are patient. If we respond to the tests with discontent, rage, constant complaining to every person we meet, and indecent behavior, we fail the test.

 

What do we say when faced with difficulty, grief, injury, or illness? We should say, “Verily to Allah we belong and unto Him is our return.

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Great reward comes with great trials. When Allah loves a people, He tests them, and whoever accepts it attains His pleasure, whereas whoever shows discontent with it incurs His wrath.”

 

The collective Muslim community is being tested in these times. May Allah grant us patience.

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Lessons learned from the life of Prophet Ayub (as):

 

Allah does not burden us beyond our power:

 

Trials and trials are part of his life; the more devout a Muslim is, the more trials there are. Not only the Prophet Ayub (As) had to go through multiple trials and tragedies, but he remained grateful to Allah. When the Prophet Ayub (Peace be upon him) was in a very miserable state, he prayed:

 

 “Truly calamity has befallen me. You are the Merciful of all who show mercy.”

 

(Surah 21:83)

 

Difficulties do not last forever. Any pain will be relieved. Trust and believe in Allah’s plan. Keep remembering Allah, follow your prayers and never stop repenting. Indeed, Allah is All-Merciful and beneficial.

 

All belong to Allah:

 

All these worldly possessions and possessions have been given to you by Allah. He loves you and gives you good things. Thank Allah in every situation and stay calm.

 

This is how the Prophet Ayub (as) led his life. It was another name for patience. He was grateful and patient when he had it all and was no different when he had it all taken from him. Trials and hardships made no change in his faith and trust in Allah.

 

Trials are often hidden blessings, so be patient.

 

The more needs, relationships, poverty, or health you see, the more your sins are removed. Do not stop prostrating. Never stop regretting. Prophet Ayub (as) repented and continued to thank Allah.

 

The Holy Quran affirms:

 

 “So We, in answer to his prayer, relieved him of the need he suffered. We gave him his family. as a mercy from Our reserves and an admonition to his worshipers.”

 

(Surah 21:84)

 

Remember that this world is temporary:

 

This world is an illusion, and everything here is temporary. Therefore, you need to prepare your life for the afterlife. In this temporary world, the best People of Allah will be tried and tested in their patience and faith. This was the situation of the Prophet Ayub. For this, he was tested and rewarded.

 

 

The Holy Quran affirms:

 

 “And indeed, we will try you with fear and hunger and loss of wealth and harvest, but when calamity befalls them, we will bring good news to those we trust! We are the property of Allah. These people have received blessings and mercy from their Lord, and such people will be rightly led.” Online Quran Classes in USA

 

(Surah 2: verse 155-157)

 

Allah Hates Arrogance:

Ayub (A.S) spent a lavish life for around 80 years in which he had luxuries, lands, gold and silver and not but he never looked down upon his people and never gave an arrogant vibe. No matter how rich you are, always be humble. All our luxuries in this world are the blessing of Allah, and he can take them away from us. So why be haughty?

 

Never Let Satan Win

 

During bad and dark days, we might wonder why only me. When will these trials end? How long will I stay in this situation? and so on. Satan brings all these thoughts and disappointments. He makes our beliefs weak, and we start questioning ourselves. Never let him win. Disappointments and sadness mean you do not rely on Allah’s plan and do not trust him either. However, Allah loves his creations. He is the best planner.  Online Quran Classes

 

Jannah is eternal and never-ending. Therefore, we should follow the righteous path and thank Allah in every situation. Trials and tests are a part of life, but never stop asking for Allah’s mercy because Allah is the most beneficial All-Knowing. In the life of Prophet Ayub, we have a lesson that even the most beloved of Allah’s messengers were tested. Nevertheless, they never once complained but used it to draw closer to Allah.