The Story of Prophet Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ)
The Qur'an mentions the story of Prophet Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), which is the Arabic name of the Biblical account of Job.
Family Tree Of Prophet Ayyub
Prophet Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was a descendant of Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). Ayyub’s mother was believed by some historians to be the daughter of Prophet Lut (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ). His wife, a direct descendant of Prophet Yusuf (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), was named Rahma. Together, they lived in Rome and were blessed with fourteen children.
The Almighty Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) says in his book,
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَلَمۡ يَلۡبِسُوٓاْ إِيمَٰنَهُم بِظُلۡمٍ أُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱلۡأَمۡنُ وَهُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ
وَتِلۡكَ حُجَّتُنَآ ءَاتَيۡنَٰهَآ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ عَلَىٰ قَوۡمِهِۦۚ نَرۡفَعُ دَرَجَٰتٖ مَّن نَّشَآءُۗ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٞ
وَوَهَبۡنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسۡحَٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَۚ كُلًّا هَدَيۡنَاۚ وَنُوحًا هَدَيۡنَا مِن قَبۡلُۖ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِهِۦ دَاوُۥدَ وَسُلَيۡمَٰنَ وَأَيُّوبَ وَيُوسُفَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجۡزِي ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ
Allazeena aamanoo wa lam yalbisooo eemaanahum bizulmin ulaaa’ika lahumul amnu wa hum muhtadoon (section 9) (82) Wa tilka hujjatunaaa aatainaahaaa Ibraaheema ‘alaa qawmih; narfa’u darajaatim man nashaaa’; inna Rabbaka Hakeemun ‘Aleem (83) Wa wahabnaa lahoo ishaaqa wa ya’qoob; kullan hadainaa; wa Noohan hadainaa min qablu wa min zurriyyatihee Daawooda wa Sulaimaana wa Ayyooba wa Yoosufa wa Moosaa wa Haaroon; wa kazaalika najzil muhsineen (84)
English Translation:
"Those who believe and did not tarnish their faith with wrong-doing for them there is security, and it is they who have been guided to the right way.’ (82) That was Our argument which We gave to Abraham against his people. We raise in ranks whom We will. Truly your lord is All-Wise, All-Knowing. (83) And We bestowed upon Abraham (offspring) Ishaq (Isaac) and Ya’qub (Jacob) and each of them did We guide to the right way as We had earlier guided Noah to the right way; and (of his descendants We guided) Da’ud (David) and Sulayman (Solomon), Ayyub (Job), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron). Thus do We reward those who do good. (84)"
— (Surah Al-An’am 6:82-84)
Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was a Prophet who was immensely blessed by Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) — he was strong and healthy, had large plots of land, abundant livestock, and a righteous and beautiful family. He was also a community leader who was highly respected and beloved by his people. Despite his status and wealth, Ayyub was never arrogant; he was always humble. He readily helped those in need and constantly thanked and glorified Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) for everything he was blessed with.
One day, high up in the heavens, the angels began discussing about the best of humans who lived on earth. An angel amongst them said,
"The best creature on earth today is Ayyub, a man of noble character who displays great patience and always remembers his Generous Lord. He is an excellent model for the worshippers of Allah. In return, his Lord has blessed him with a long life and plenty of servants; the needy and the poor share in his good fortune— he feeds and clothes the poor and buys slaves to set them free. He makes those who receive his charity feel as if they are favoring him— so kind and gentle is he."
Shaitan (Iblis), who was nearby, overhead the discussion and became very angry. He immediately began plotting to lure Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) away from the worship of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). He whispered evil thoughts to Ayyub about the many pleasures of life that a man such as Ayyub could easily enjoy, but the Prophet was a sincere servant of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) and was not easily faltered — this enraged Iblis further.
Iblis approached Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) and informed Him that Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was not a sincere servant of His and was only glorifying Him in fear of losing all his wealth.
He, Iblis, suggested,
"If You remove his wealth then You will find that his tongue will no longer mention Your name and his praying will stop."Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), the All-Knowing, did not believe Iblis, for He knew that Ayyub was among His most sincere believers and did not worship his Lord just for worldly possessions. But He agreed to test Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) to show Iblis the absolute sincerity of His loyal servant. Overjoyed, Satan set out to destroy Prophet Ayyub’s wealth.
Iblis Wrecks Havoc on Ayyub's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) Life:
As time passed, Prophet Ayyub’s wealth began to diminish — his land, livestock, servants, and money slowly evaded him until he was left with nothing.
Immensely satisfied with Ayyub’s ordeal, Iblis, disguised as a wise old man, approached the Prophet and said,
“All your wealth is lost, some people say that it is because you gave too much charity and that you are wasting your time with your continuous prayers to Allah. Others say that Allah has brought this upon you in order to please your enemies. If Allah had the capacity to prevent harm, then He would have protected your wealth.”
Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) replied,
“Allah gives whom He wills, and Allah takes from whom He wills. And all of the wealth that I have belongs to Allah, so He has every authority to take it back from me.”.
Ayyub then turned around and continued to thank and praise Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ).
Feeling rather frustrated, Iblis returned to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) and said,
"I have stripped Ayyub of all his possessions, but he still remains grateful to You. However, he is only hiding his disappointment. The real test of a parent is through his children. You will see how Ayyub will reject You.”
Allah still knew that Ayyub’s faith and love for his Lord would not waver, but He agreed to test Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) further.
Before long, the building in which Ayyub’s children lived crashed, killing all fourteen of his young, beautiful children.
Iblis once again visited Ayyub disguised as a sympathizing bystander and remarked with sorrow,
“The circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, your Lord is not rewarding you properly for all your prayers.”
Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) responded,
“Allah gives me what is good for me, and takes away what Allah sees that is displeasing for Him and for me. Allah sees that all of these children may be a strong test & trial for me, so Allah took them away from me. Whether a thing is beneficial or harmful to me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to my Creator.”
Iblis rushed back to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) and said,
“O my Lord, Ayyub’s wealth is gone, his children are dead, and he is still healthy in body, and as long as he enjoys good health, he will continue to worship You in hopes of regaining his wealth and producing more children. Grant me authority over his body so that I may weaken it. He will surely neglect to worship You and will thus become disobedient.”
Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) granted his request but instructed,
“I give you authority over his body but not over his soul, intellect or heart, for in these places reside the knowledge of Me and My religion.”
Soon after, Ayyub’s health began to deteriorate. He was so ill that the skin of his body used to fall off, revealing his muscles and bones. But as Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) instructed, the only two organs that functioned in his body were his heart and tongue — which he continued to use to glorify Allah. Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) suffered through severe pain, but he never allowed himself to complain or falter in his belief in Allah.
The people of the city began discussing, If Ayyub were a good person, Allah wouldn’t have done this to him. And eventually, they abandoned him — his relatives, friends, and everyone who loved and respected Ayyub deserted him, except for Rahma, his beloved wife.
PROPHET AYYUB’S LOVE FOR ALLAH:
For many years, Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) continued to suffer through his condition, with none but Rahma by his side to take care of him. They had no money and no income, so his wife took up a job to provide for them. But the people of the city did not allow Rahma to work for long, for they feared that she would afflict them with the same illness as her husband. Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), meanwhile, continued to pray to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) to give him the strength and patience to endure this pain and suffering.
One day, Iblis appeared before Rahma in the form of a man and asked her,
“Where is your husband?”
Pointing at the almost lifeless figure of Ayyub, Rahma replied,
“There he is, suspended between life and death.”
Iblis then went on to remind her of the blissful days of good health, children, and wealth.
Overwhelmed with the years of pain and hardship, Rahma approached Ayyub and wailed,
“O Ayyub, you are the prophet and the messenger of Allah. You have the closest relationship to Allah. Ask Allah to take you out of this harm that you are in!”
Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) sighed and replied,
“Satan must have whispered to you and made you dissatisfied. Tell me how long did I enjoy good health and riches?”
His wife responded,
“eighty years or so.”
He replied,
“For how long am I suffering like this?”
She said,
“seven years.”
Ayyub then said,
“In that case I am ashamed to call on my Lord to remove my hardship, for I have not suffered longer than the years of good health and plenty. It seems your faith has weakened, and you are dissatisfied with the fate of Allah. If I ever regain health, I swear I will punish you with a hundred strokes! From this day onward, I forbid myself to eat or drink anything by your hand. Leave me alone and let my Lord do with me as He pleases.”
Feeling helpless, Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) turned to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) seeking His mercy.
Verily, Satan has touched me with distress (by losing my health) and torment (by losing my wealth)! He prayed.
Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) immediately responded to Ayyub’s desperate call for help. Allah said,
Strike the ground with your foot: This is a spring of water to wash in and cool and a refreshing drink.”
Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) immediately performed Allah’s bidding. As he struck the ground with his foot, cold water gushed at his feet. As commanded, Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) drank and washed his entire body using the water. Within a short while, Ayyub’s blisters disappeared, his skin renewed completely, and his internal organs began functioning. Indeed, Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was completely cured by the grace of Allah!
Rahma, who could not stand to be away from her husband any longer, returned home; as she entered their home, she was greeted by Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), whom she did not recognize.
She asked him,
Where is Ayyub? Who are you? You look very similar to him.
He replied smiling,
“It’s me!”
Overjoyed, she immediately embraced him and thanked Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) for His mercy.
Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) remembered his promise to punish his wife with a hundred strokes once he regained his health. He did not want to hurt his beloved wife, nor did he want to break his oath to Allah.
So, Allah, the Most Wise, instructed Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), “Take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith your wife, and break not your oath.”
Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) then restored Ayyub’s wealth. He sent down a rain of locusts made of gold that fell all around Ayyub. As Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) began gathering these golden locusts,
Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) asked him,
“O Ayyub! Have I not made you too rich to need what you see?” Ayyub replied, “Yes, My Lord! But I cannot shun Your Blessings.”
Ayyub replied,
“Yes, My Lord! But I cannot shun Your Blessings.”
Ayyub (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and Rahma were also given back to their family. The couple was blessed with twenty-eight beautiful, healthy children — fourteen girls and fourteen boys.
The story of Prophet Ayyub is one of adversity mixed with patience. It is easy to be a faithful servant of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) when everything is going well, but his faith never faltered during difficult times, which is what makes him a remarkable being.
Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) praises His servant, saying,
إِنَّا وَجَدۡنَٰهُ صَابِرٗاۚ نِّعۡمَ ٱلۡعَبۡدُ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٞ
innaa wajadnaahu saabiraa; ni’mal ‘abd; innahooo awwaab
English Translation:
"...Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah]."
— (Surah Sad, ayah 44)
QURANIC VERSES MENTIONING Ayyub
English Translation:
And [for] their taking of usury while they had been forbidden from
it, and their consuming of the people’s wealth unjustly. And we
have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful
punishment. Abiding eternally therein. The punishment will not be
lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved. Indeed, We have
revealed to you, [O Muhammad], as We revealed to Noah and the
prophets after him. And we revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac,
Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and
to David We gave the book [of Psalms].
(Surah Nisa Ayat 161-163)
English Translation:
They who believe and do not mix their belief with injustice –
those will have security, and they are [rightly] guided. And that
was Our [conclusive] argument which We gave Abraham against his
people. We raise by degrees whom We will. Indeed, your Lord is
Wise and Knowing. And We gave to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – all
[of them] We guided. And Noah, We guided before; and among his
descendants, David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and
Aaron. Thus do We reward the doers of good.
(Surah Anam Ayat 82-84)
English Translation:
And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, “Indeed, adversity
has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.” So
We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity.
And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them
as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers [of Allah].
(Surah Anbiya Ayat 83-84)
English Translation:
And remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, “Indeed,
Satan has touched me with hardship and torment.” [So he was told],
“Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for] a cool
bath and drink.” And We granted him his family and a like [number]
with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for those of
understanding. [We said], “And take in your hand a bunch [of
grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath.” Indeed, We
found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one
repeatedly turning back [to Allah]. And remember Our servants,
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – those of strength and [religious]
vision. Indeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality:
remembrance of the home [of the Hereafter].
(Surah Sad Ayat 41-46)
