The Story of Prophet Job (Ayoub)|

From: http://www.jannah.org/morearticles/50.html


By: Al Imam Ibn Kathir[(701 - 774 AH) or (1301 - 1372 AD)]

Ibn Ishaaq (Jewish Convert to Islam) stated that he was a man of Rum. His names was Job Ibn Mose IbnRazeh Ibn Esau Ibn Isaac Ibn Abraham. Someone else said he was Job Ibn Mose,Ibn Rimil Ibn Esau Ibn Isaac Ibn Jacob. There have also been otherstatements in his lineage. Ibn Asaker narrated that his mother was adaughter of Prophet Lot.It was said, also, that his father was one whobelieved in Abraham when he was cast into the fire.
The first opinion is the most plausable as he was a descendant of Abrahamsoffspring as Allah Almighty declared:
"That was the reasoning about Us which We gave to Abraham (to use) againsthis people: We raise whom We will degree after degree: for thy Lord is fullof wisdom and knowledge. We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) We guided:and before him We guided Noah and before him We guided Noah and among hisprogeny David Solomon Job Joseph Moses and Aaron: thus do We reward thosewho do good"Quran 6:83-84
Allah the Almighty praised His worshipper Job in His Glorious Quran:
"Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was everoft-returning in repentance to Us"Quran 38:44
Job was repentant, remembering Allah with thankfulness, patience andsteadfastness. This was the cause of his rescue and the secret of Allah'spraising him.
A group of angels were discussing Allah's other human creatures, how thosewho were humble earned Allah's displease, while those who were arrogantincurred His displeasure. One of the angels remarked:
"The best creature on earth today is Job, a man of noble character whodisplays excellent patience and always remembers his Generous Lord. He is anexcellent model for the worshippers of Allah. In return, his Lord hasblessed him with a long life and plenty of riches, yet he is never haughtyor selfish. His family, his servants, as well as the needy and the poorshare in his good fortune; he feeds and clothes the poor and buys slaves toset them free. He makes those who receive his charity feel as if they arefavouring him, so kind and gentle is he."
Iblis, overhearing all this, became annoyed. He planned to tempt Job tocorruption and disbelief, so he hastened to him. He tried to distract Jobfrom his prayers by whispering to him about the good things in life, but Jobwas a true believer and would not let evil thoughts tempt him. Thisdistrubed Iblis more; thus he began to hate Job even more.
Iblis complained to Allah about Job. He said that althought he wascontinously glorifying Allah, he was not doing so out of his sincerity butto satisfy Allah so that his wealth should not be taken away. It was all ashow, all out of greed. "If You remove his wealth then You will find thathis tongue will no longer mention Your name and his praying will stop."
Allah told Iblis that Job was one of His most sincere devotees. He did notworship Him because of the favors; his worship stemmed from his heart andhad nothing to do with material things. But to prove Iblis the depth of Job's sincerity and patience, Allah allowed him to do whatever he and hishelpers wished with Job's wealth.
Iblis was very happy. He gathered his helpers and set about destroying Job'scattle, servants, and farms until he was left with no posessions. Rubbinghis hands in glee, Iblis appeared before Job in the guise of a wise old manand said to him:
"All your wealth is lost. Some people say that it is because yo ugave toomuch charity and that you are wasting your time with your continous prayersto Allah. Others say that Allah has bought this upon you in order to pleaseyour enemies. If Allah had the capacit to prevent harm, then He would haveprotected your wealth"
True to his belief, Job replied:
"What Allah has taken away from me belongs to Him. I was only its trusteefor a while. He gives to whom He wills and witholds from whom He wills"
With these words, Job again prostrated to his Lord.
When Iblis saw this, he felt frustrated, so he again addressed Allah:
"I have stripped Job of all his posessions, but he still remains grateful toYou. However, he is only hiding his dissapointment, for he places greatstore by his many children. The real test of a parent is through himchildren. You will then see how Job will reject You"
Allah granted Iblis authority, but warned him that it would not reduce Job'sfaith in his Lord nor his patience.
Iblis again gathered his helpers and set about his evol deeds. He shook thefoundation of the house in which Job's children were living and sent thebuilding crashing, killing all of them. Then he went to Job disguised as aman who had come to sympathise with him. In a comforting tone he said toJob:
"The circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, yourLord isnot rewarding youproperly for all your prayers?"
Having said this Iblis waited anxiously, hoping Job was now ready to rejectAllah. But again Job dissapointed him by replying:
"Allah sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is sometimes pleased andsometimes displeased with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial orharmful to me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to myCreator"
Then Job prostrated to his Lord. At this Iblis was extremely vexed. Iblisagain called on Allah:
"O my Lord, Job's wealth is gone, his children are dead, but he is stillhealthy in body, and as long as he enjoys good health he will continue toworship You in the hope of regaining his wealth and producing more children.Grant me authority over his body so that I may weakne it. He will surelyneglect worshipping You and withh thus becomes disobedient"
Allah wanted to teach Iblis a lesson that Job was a devoted servant of hisLord, so He granted Iblis his third request but placed a condition:
"I give you authority over his body but not over his soul, intellect, orheart, for in these places reside the knowledge of Me and My religion"
Armed with this new authority, Iblis began to take revenge on Job's bodyandfilled it with diseas until it was reduced to mere skin and bone qnd hesuffered severe pain. But through all the suffering Job remeined string inhis faith, patiently bearing all the hardships without complaining. Allah'srighteous servant did not despair or turn to others for help but remainedhopeful of Allah's Mercy. Even close relatives and friends deserted him.Only his kind loving wife stayed with him. In his hour of need, she showeredher kindness on him and cared for him. She remained his sole companion andcomforter through many years of his suffering.
Ibn Asaker narrated:
"Job was a man having much wealth of all kinds: beasts, slaves, sheep, vastlands of Haran and many children. All those favors were taken from him andhe was physically afflicted as well. Never a single orga was sound excepthis heart and tongue, with both of which he glorified Allah, the Almightyall the time day and night. His disease lasted for a long time until hisvisitors felt disgusted with him. His friend kept away from him, and peopleabstained from visiting him. No one felt sympathy for him except his wife.She took good care of him, knowing his former charity and pity for her"
Therefore, Iblis became desperate. He consulted his helpers but they couldnot advise him. They asked:
"How is it that your cleverness cannot work against Job, yet you succeededin misleading Adam, the father of man, out of paradise?"
Iblis went to Job's wife in the form of a man. "Where is your husband?" heasked her.
She pointed to an almost lifeless form crumpled on the bed and said: "Therehe is, suspended between life and death."
Iblis reminded her of the days when Job had good health, wealth andchildren. Suddenly, the painful memory of yeas of hardship overcame her, andshe burst into tears. She said to Job:
"How long are you goinng to bear this torture from our Lord? Are we toremain without wealth, children or friends forever? Why don't you call uponAllah to remove this suffering?"
Job sighed, and in a soft voice replied:
"Iblis must have whispered to you and made you dissatisfied. Tell me, howlong did I enjoy good health and riches?"
She replied, "For eighty years"
Then Job asked, "How long am I suffering like this?"
She said, "for seven years"
Then Job told her:
"In that case I am ashamed to call on my Lord to remove the hardship, for Ihave not suffered longer than the years of good health and plenty. It seemsyourfaith has weakened and you are dissatisfied with the fate of Allah. If Ieverreagin health, I swear I will punish you with a hundred strokes! Fromthis day onward, I forbid myself to eat or drink anything from your hand.Leave me alone and let my Lord do with me as He pleases."
Crying bitterly and with a heavy heart, she had no choice but to leave himand seek shelter elsewhere. In his helpless state, Job turned to Allah,notto complain but to seek His mercy:
"Verily, dsitress has seized me, and You and the Most Merciful of all thosewho show Mercy. So We answered his call, and We removed the distress thatwas on him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost) and thelike thereof along with them - as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder forall who whorship Us"Quran 21:83-84
Almighty Allah also instructed:
"Commemorate Our servant Job behold he cried to his Lord: "The Evil One hasafflicted me with distress and suffering"! (The command was given:) "Strikewith thy foot: here is (water) wherein to wash cool and refreshing and(water) to drink." And We gave him (back) his people and doubled theirnumber as a Grace from Ourselves and a thing for commemoration for all whohave Understanding."Quran 38:41-43
Job obeyed, and almost immediately his good health was restored. Meanwhile,his faithful wife could no longer bear to be parted from her husband andreturned to beg his forgiveness, desiring to serve him. On entering hehouse, she was amazed at the sudden change: Job was again healthy! Sheembraced him and thanked Allah for His mercy.
Job was now worried, for he had taken an oath to punish her with a hundredstrokes if he regained health, but he had no desireto hurt her. He knew ifhe did not fulfill the oath, he would be guilty of breaking a promise toAllah. Therefore, in His wisdom and mercy, Allah came to the assistance ofHis faithful servant, and advised him:
"And take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith (yourwife), and break not your oath. Truly we found him patient. How excellent aslave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance to Us"Quran 38:44
Abu Huraira (ra) narrated that the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said:
"While Job was naked, taking a bath, a swarm of locusts fell on him, and hestarted collecting them in his garment. His Lord called him: 'O Job! Have Inot made you too rich to need what you see?' He said: 'Yes, O Lord! But Icannot shun Your Blessings"(Bukhari)