A Prophet Known for His Fortitude

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Many people have no patience in the face of difficulties but they should know that God places hardships on people’s path to test them. Prophet Ayub (Job), who was grateful to God even in the most difficult situations, can be a role model in this regard.

Ayub (AS) is among messengers of God who were a descendant of Prophet Abraham (AS). His mother was a descendant of Prophet Lut (AS). It has been said that his wife was the daughter of Joseph (AS) or the daughter of Jacob (AS).

Ayub (AS) lived in the Levant. He invited the Bani Isra’il to God for 17 years but no one followed him except three.

God gave many blessings to Ayub (AS) and he was always grateful. This caused the fire of jealousy to flare up in Satan’s heart and he asked God to allow him to control Ayub’s fortunes. God allowed thus and soon afterward, Ayub (AS) lost all of what he had. Then Satan blew a venomous breath into his nostrils. As a result Ayub was inflicted with a severe malady that covered his whole body with sores and leprous wounds.

But despite all of these, Ayub remained thankful to God. After he passed all the difficult divine tests, God sent an Angel who kicked the earth and a spring of water gushed out. Ayub bathed in it and was immediately cured of all diseases and discomfort.  

Some have referred to verse 41 of Surah Saad, “And remember Our servant Ayub, when he called upon his Lord: Satan has afflicted me with toil and torment,” raising questions about Ayub’s purity and prophethood, arguing that he was under the influence of Satan. However, scholars have responded to this question, noting that Satan had control only over Ayub’s body, wealth and belongings not his soul and Nafs.

Ayub’s name is mentioned four times in the Quran (In Surahs Al-Ana’am, An-Nisa, Al-Anbiya, and Saad). In these Surahs, reference has been made to Ayub’s forefathers, his prophethood, God accepting his prayers and he becoming free from diseases and hardships after passing divine tests.

In the Old Testament, one of the 39 books is about Ayub (AS) and his story is like the one mentioned in the Quran. The only difference is that unlike what the Quran says about Ayub’s patience and fortitude, in the Old Testament he is said to be impatient.

Ayub is said to have lived 200 years, including seven or eighteen years in illness. He was buried next to the spring of water where he had been healed. There is no evidence about where his tomb is although there are references to areas in different countries like Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, and Oman.