The Qur’ān (21:83-84) says: “And remember Ayub (Job), when he cried out to his Lord. Affliction has befallen me, but of all those who show mercy You are the most merciful. We responded to him and removed all the affliction he suffered. We restored to him his family and as many more with them, as an act of grace from Ourself, and as a reminder to all who worship Us.”
Prophet Ayub’s story is one of the finest that centres on a test. Qur’ānic texts mentioning Ayub only speak in general terms, giving few details. In this particular instance, the surah mentions Ayub’s supplication and Allah’s response, because the overall atmosphere of the surah is one of grace bestowed from on high on His prophets and the care He takes of them when He tests them. This applies in all test situations, including rejection by their peoples, as with Abraham, Lot and Noah; power and wealth as with David and Solomon; or hardship with Ayub.
Some suggest that Ayub suffered an illness that made people turn away from him, unable to look at him. Thus, was he left outside the city. What Qur’ānic texts suggest however is that he suffered hardship within himself and within his family. That is more than enough as a test for anyone.
The remaining elements of this story have come down to us either through authentic sayings or by way of historical accounts. Ibn Kathir has recorded the story as follows: Allah, the Exalted, had bestowed upon Ayub, in the early days of his life, all sorts of material comforts such as wealth, property, magnificent houses, children, servants and attendants. But later he faced a trial and was deprived of all these comforts.
Moreover, he suffered from a serious disease which was like leprosy and which affected his whole body except the heart and the tongue. In this miserable condition too, he spent his time in prayers and in giving thanks to Allah with his heart and tongue. Because of this serious illness all his relatives, friends and neighbours avoided him and placed him outside the city.
Nobody went near him except his wife who used to take care of him. She was either the daughter or granddaughter of Prophet Yusuf and her name was Layya . All his wealth having been lost, she worked and earned a living for him and for herself and nursed him in his illness.
Ayub occupies a distinctive position among all the prophets for firmness in his devotion and endurance in his sufferings. He is a model of endurance and fortitude in the most trying circumstances. When Allah deprived him of all his worldly possessions and subjected him to a severe ordeal, he concentrated all his mind and efforts upon the sole purpose of remembering Allah and offering prayers to Him.
While thanking Allah for all sorts of worldly comforts and children granted to him earlier and whose love had filled his heart completely, he also thanked Him for their total withdrawal because nothing remained to distract him from total devotion to Allah.
Ayub’s prayer, as mentioned here, does not go beyond describing his condition and emphasising Allah’s attributes: “And remember Ayub (Job) when he cried out to his Lord. “Affliction has befallen me, but of all those who show mercy You are the most merciful.”
He does not appeal for his condition to be changed, because he wants to remain patient in adversity. His is an attitude of perfect humility before Him. Thus, he is Allah’s model servant: neither panicking in a situation of adversity nor expressing frustration at the hardship he endures. He is reluctant even to pray to Allah to lift his hardship. Therefore, he leaves the matter entirely to Allah, knowing that He knows his situation and does not need his prayer.
At the moment Ayub addressed his Lord with such confidence and humility, his prayer was answered, and Allah’s grace was bestowed on him in abundance. His test was over: “We responded to him and relieved all the affliction he suffered. We restored to him his family and as many more with them.” (Ayah 84) Ibn Abi Hatim has reported on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Abbas that when Ayub supplication was granted, he was told to rub his heels on the ground and a stream of fresh and clear water would gush forth. He should then bathe himself in the water and also drink it, and the disease would disappear. Ayub did as he was told and in no time his body, which was covered with boils and was reduced to skin and bones, regained its original shape and health.
Allah sent him garments from Paradise which he wore and sat down in a corner. His wife came to see him as usual and when she did not find him, she started crying. She did not recognise Ayub who was sitting nearby in a corner because his appearance had changed completely. Then she turned to him and asked him if he had any information about the sick man who was lying there, and whether he had gone somewhere or had been eaten up by dogs and wolves. She spoke to him for some time without realising that the man was none other than her husband. Then Ayub revealed himself, but even then, she did not recognise him and asked him why he was making fun of her. He then told her to look at him again and try to recognise him. He also informed her that Allah had healed his body after he invoked His Mercy. Abdullah Ibn Abbas reports that after this, Allah restored to him all his wealth and children and gave him more children equal in number to the children which he had before (Ibn Kathir).
All this was as “an act of grace from Ourself,” because every blessing is an act of Allah’s grace. It was also “a reminder to all who worship Us.” It reminds us of Allah and the tests He may put us through, and of His grace that will not fail to follow the hardship. The test to which Ayub was put provides an example for all mankind, and his patient endurance sets a model for all to follow.
The reference to those “who worship Us” within the context of hard tests is especially significant. Such worshippers may be subjected to tests and hardship. To endure with patience is a requirement of faith and worship. The whole matter is very serious. Faith is a trust which is given only to those who are able to shoulder its responsibility and endure its hardship. It is not mere words, carelessly uttered by anyone.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ has said: “The prophets face the most severe tests, and then come the other believers according to their degree of piety.” In another tradition it is reported that every man is tested according to his adherence and devotion to religion. The stronger his beliefs, the harder is the test to which he is subjected, so that his rewards are in proportion to his sufferings.