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The story of Prophet
Ayyoob
His Lineage
Imaam Ibn Is-haaq may
Allaah have mercy upon him stated that Prophet Ayyoob's full name was
Ayyoob, Ibn (son of) Mose, Ibn Razeh, Ibn Esau, Ibn Isaac (Is-haaq), Ibn
Abraham (Ibraaheem), may Allaah exalt the mention of them all. Others
stated that he was Ayyoob, Ibn Mose, Ibn Rimil, Ibn Esau, Ibn Isaac
(Is-haaq, Ibn Jacob (Ya'qoob) may Allaah have mercy upon them all. There
have also been other statements on his lineage. Imaam Ibn 'Asaakir may
Allaah exalt his mention narrated that Prophet Ayyoob's mother was a
daughter of Lot may Allaah exalt his mention. It was said also that Prophet
Ayyoob's father was one who believed in Ibraaheem may Allaah exalt his
mention when he was cast into the fire.
The first opinion is
the most plausible, because Prophet Ayyoob may Allaah exalt his mention was
a descendant of Ibraaheem's offspring, as Allaah Almighty declares in the
Quran (what means): "And that was Our [conclusive] argument which we
gave Ibraaheem against his people. We raise by degrees whom We will.
Indeed, your Lord is Wise and Knowing. And We gave to him [i.e., Ibraaheem]
Is-haaq [Isaac] and Ya'qoob [Jacob] – all [of them] We guided. And Nooh
[Noah], We guided before; and among his descendants, Daawood [David] and
Sulaymaan [Solomon] and Ayyoob [Job] and Yoosuf [Joseph] and Moosaa [Moses]
and Haaroon [Aaron]. Thus do We reward the doers of good." [Quran
6:83-84]
Allaah Praises Him
Allaah the Almighty
praised His worshipper Ayyoob may Allaah exalt his mention in His Glorious
Quran, Saying (what means): "…Indeed, We found him patient, an
excellent servant. Indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to
Allaah]." [Quran 38:44]
Ayyoob may Allaah exalt
his mention was repentant, remembering Allaah with thankfulness, patience,
and steadfastness. This was the cause of his rescue and the secret of
Allaah's praising him.
A group of angels were
discussing Allaah's other human creatures, how those who were humble earned
Allaah's pleasure, while those who were arrogant incurred His displeasure.
One of the angels remarked: "The best creature on earth today is
Ayyoob, a man of noble character who displays great patience and always
remembers his Generous Lord. He is an excellent model for the worshippers
of Allaah. In return, his Lord has blessed him with a long life and plenty
of servants, as well as the needy and the poor sharing 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 favouring him, so kind
and gentle is he."
Satan's Envy of Him
Iblees (Satan)
overhearing all of this, became annoyed. He planned to entice Ayyoob to
corruption and disbelief, so he hastened to him. He tried to distract
Ayyoob from his prayers by whispering to him about the good things in life,
but Ayyoob was a true believer and would not let evil thoughts tempt him.
This disturbed Iblees even more; thus he began to hate Ayyoob with even
greater fervour.
Iblees complained to
Allaah about Ayyoob may Allaah exalt his mention. He said that although he
was continuously glorifying Allaah, he was not doing so out of his
sincerity but to satisfy Allaah so that his wealth should not be taken
away. It was all a show, all out of greed. "If You remove his wealth,
then You will find that his tongue will no longer mention Your name and his
praying will stop," he said to Allaah.
Allaah told Iblees that
Ayyoob may Allaah exalt his mention was one of His most sincere devotees.
He did not worship Him because of the favours; his worship stemmed from his
heart and had nothing to do with material things. But to prove to Iblees
the depth of Ayyoob's sincerity and patience, Allaah allowed him to do
whatever he and his helpers wished with Ayyoob's wealth.
Iblees was ecstatic. He
gathered his helpers and set about destroying Ayyoob's cattle, servants and
farms until he was left with no possessions. Rubbing his hands in glee,
Iblees appeared before Ayyoob may Allaah exalt his mention in the guise of
a wise old man and said to him: "All your wealth is lost; some people
say that it is because you gave too much in charity and that you are
wasting your time with your continuous prayers to Allaah. Others say that
Allaah has brought this upon you in order to please your enemies. If Allaah
had the capacity to prevent harm, then He would have protected your
wealth."
True to his belief,
Ayyoob may Allaah exalt his mention replied: "What Allaah has taken
away from me belongs to Him. I was only its trustee for a while. He gives
to whom He wills and withholds from whom He wills." With these words,
Ayyoob may Allaah exalt his mention again prostrated to his Lord.
When Iblees saw this,
he felt frustrated, so he again addressed Allaah: "I have stripped
Ayyoob of all his possessions, but he still remains grateful to You.
However he is only hiding his disappointment, for he places great store by
his many children. The real test of a parent is through his children. You
will see how Ayyoob will reject You."
Allaah again granted
Iblees authority, but warned him that it would not reduce Ayyoob's faith in
His Lord nor his patience.
Iblees again gathered
his helpers and set about his evil deeds. He shook the fountain of the
house in which Ayyoob's children were living and sent the building
crashing, killing all of them. Then he went to Ayyoob may Allaah exalt his
mention disguised as a man who had come to sympathise with him. In a
comforting tone he said to Ayyoob may Allaah exalt his mention: "The
circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, your Lord is
not rewarding you properly for all your prayers." Having said this,
Iblees waited anxiously, hoping Ayyoob may Allaah exalt his mention was now
ready to reject Allaah.
But again Ayyoob may
Allaah exalt his mention disappointed him by replying: "Allaah
sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is sometimes pleased and sometimes
displeased with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial or harmful to me,
I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to my Creator."
Then Ayyoob may Allaah exalt his mention prostrated to his Lord. At this,
Iblees was extremely vexed
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