Monday, April 22, 2013

Stories of the Prophets: 20. PROPHET AYYUB A.S.: THE HALLMARK OF PATIENCE



 Ayyub a.s. (Job as quoted in many English translation of Al-Quran) was the son of Mous, the son of Razaak, the son of Al-Ees, the son of Ishaq a.s., the son of Ibrahim a.s.  Ayyub a.s. was a Messenger of Allah s.w.t. raised from among the people of Haran.  He was a wealthy man.  Allah s.w.t. blessed Ayyub a.s. with health and physical strength.  Allah s.w.t. also blessed him with 7 strong and handsome sons and 7 beautiful daughters.
Allah s.w.t. began to withdraw the blessings of good life that Ayyub a.s. was enjoying.  He became very poor.  His children died one after the other.  He was left alone with just his wife.  A severe disease attacked him.  He became weak and was not even able to stand.  His flesh began to decay and his bones were almost exposed, people began to desert him, even his close friends and family members.  Only his loyal and beloved wife came close to him.
  His wife reminds him that as a prophet and messenger of Allah s.w.t., his prayers would surely be answered and he would be relieved from all the sufferings.  He just thanked Allah s.w.t.  They had enjoyed the period of prosperity and ease for 80 years.  Whereas he has been suffering for only 7 years.  He was shy to ask for relieve from Allah s.w.t.  When the wife persisted, Ayyub a.s. became annoyed and swore to hit her with 100 lashes if he recovered.  Ayyub a.s. endure all these personal calamities and suffering for 18 years.
Soon people refuse to hire Ayyub’s a.s. wife to work for them out of fear that she might transmit the disease.  They had no food.  After a few days of hunger, she brought him some food.  She had secretly cut half of her beautiful hair and sold it for some food.  When the provisions were consumed, she had the rest of her hair cut and sold for the much needed food.  Ayyub a.s. asked her how she obtained the food.  Quietly she uncovered her head to reveal the cut hair.
 
 Ayyub a.s. clearly ascribed his calamities to the Evil One.  He blamed it entirely upon Shaitan, the devil.  For his patience, Allah s.w.t. relieved him from the suffering.  Allah s.w.t. commanded him to stamp his foot.  Ayyub a.s. did so and water emerged from the land.  Allah s.w.t. commanded Ayyub a.s. wash and bathe himself with the water and also drink it.  The water cleansed him from the disease.  Immediately he regained his strength.  All signs and scars of the disease disappeared.  His wife came but did not recognize him.
Allah s.w.t. continued to bless Ayyub a.s. for the patience he endured.  Allah s.w.t. also honored and blesses his wife for being patient and faithful to her husband.  Allah s.w.t. made her young and strong again.  Allah s.w.t. blessed them both with a new batch of 28 sons and daughters.  Allah s.w.t. also immediately increased his wealth and strengthens his health.  Ayyub a.s. had previously sworn to hit his wife with 100 lashes.  Allah s.w.t. ordered him to hit her with some straws of grass, just for him to honor his oath.

 
Such was the story of Ayyub a.s., an example of piety despite his enormous wealth and continued piety with enduring patience in facing of great personal calamities.  Zulkifli a.s. (Ezekiel) as mentioned in Al-Quran was the son of Ayyub a.s.  Zulkifli a.s. was trained by his father and was also known for his patience.  His original name was Bishir son of Ayyub a.s.

STORIES OF THE PROPHETS IN AL-QURAN
(Lessons that we can extract, lessons that we can apply)
(Teaser extraction from the book)

 To be continued…
(Enjoy and read the full version from the book http://www.estore.ansi.com.my/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=256_0_3_2
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