Day: March 27, 2025

JOB (AYUB)

Job (Ayub) was a descendant of A’mis, the third son of Isaac. God had granted him great wealth and a large family and he lived in comfort and peace.

God wanted to test his steadfastness of faith in wealth and in deprivation. Once lightening struck his livestock and all his animals perished. This was followed by a storm that destroyed his crops. The test of deprivation continued and his house collapsed over his family, killing all his children. Every time a calamity struck, he went down in submission to God acknowledging that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. There is none other than God who has the power to provide and sustain His creatures in this world and beyond.

The trial of patience continued and Job developed ulcers all over his body and the maggots ate his rotting flesh. During these troubled times, many of his friends and followers abandoned him. Only his beloved wife Raheemah stayed with him throughout his troubles. She washed and caressed his wounds and fed him with whatever she could gather.

The town people forced him and his devoted wife out into the wilderness. The series of painful trials did not shake him in his belief in the benevolence of God. He exhibited his contentment over the fact of life and whatever meager provisions he had. God was pleased with His steadfast servant. He gave him full recovery from his oozing sores. Upon recovery from his illness, he toiled in his land and regained his wealth that exceeded his previous losses. God granted him new and expanded progeny. His circle of friends and followers grew larger than ever and all wondered over what Yob had sustained. This added greater strength to the faith of the believers.

The patience and perseverance of Yob in the face of all suffering is proverbial and the best example for people of all
times.

(Ayub is known as Job in Torah) References: The Qu’an: Sura An’am, Anbiya’ and Jinn.