Trials of Patience: A Story About Prophet Ayyub (A.S

Trials of Patience

Long ago, there lived a very pious and righteous man named Ayyub. He was one of Allah’s prophets, sent to teach his people about God and guide them towards the right path. Prophet Ayyub (Peace be Upon Him) always advised his community to do good and to shun evil. He always helped his relatives, friends and neighbours. Prophet Ayyub was also very kind to orphans and poor people, and often invited them to share his meals. His noble character and elevated status as Allah’s prophet earned him the respect of most, if not all, the members of his community.

In addition to offering Ayyub the gift of prophecy, Allah showered him with many blessings. Indeed, Prophet Ayyub had a kind and faithful wife named Rahma and many children. He also possessed vast stretches of land, many fields, and was blessed with livestock. But despite his great wealth, Prophet Ayyub never became arrogant. Instead, he remained humble and believed that Allah had given him the ability to seek his grace. Prophet Ayyub repeatedly glorified Allah and thanked Him for everything that He had endowed upon him. Not a day went by that Prophet Ayyub did not express his gratitude with the beautiful phrase of “Alhamdulillah,” praise be to God..

Prophet Ayyub had been living in prosperity for a long time when a series of calamities befell him. These calamities were sent by Allah to test how strong his faith was and how much patience he had. First, all of Ayyub’s wealth and properties were taken away from him. A terrible drought destroyed the entirety of his crops and all his animals died of thirst, hunger and illnesses. His servants were taken away by raiders and he was left devoid of any possession. However, Prophet Ayyub was neither shattered nor shaken by these terrible events. He remained firm and constant in his glorification of Allah and continued saying “Alhamdulillah.”

Next, Allah took the lives of every single one of Ayyub’s children. Their souls returned to their Lord, leaving Prophet Ayyub without his closest family. And although he had lost the joys and comforts brought to him by his many sons and daughters, Prophet Ayyub’s faith never faltered. He continued to be steadfast in his devotion and service to Allah and never stopped saying, “Alhamdulillah.”

The final, and perhaps the greatest, trial that Prophet Ayyub faced was the loss of his good health. Allah afflicted him with many horrible diseases which caused him a lot of pain and suffering. He had terrible sores all over his body and became very weak. His ailment was so loathsome that the people in his community avoided him. Indeed, they were afraid that Ayyub’s sickness was contagious. The community sent him to the outskirts of the city and his relatives, friends and neighbours stopped visiting him. Yet, Ayyub’s calmness

remained because he held Allah in his heart. He knew that his Lord would never abandon him, nor that He would afflict him with more than he could bear. And so, despite all his hardships Ayyub continued to say “Alhamdulillah.”

The only person who faithfully remained with Prophet Ayyub was his wife Rahma. Her faith and patience were also tested as she experienced the loss of her wealth and children along with her husband. However, she remained steadfast and unwearyingly stood by Ayyub. When he got sick, she took great care of him by nursing him and providing for him. As Ayyub’s condition got worse and they no longer had money, she had to work as a servant in order to continue supporting her sick husband and herself. This was quite difficult for her, seeing that she was not used to hard labour, but she bore it all patiently for the sake of her husband, whom she loved dearly. Rahma’s devotion to Ayyub was a mercy from Allah, who would never allow one of his faithful servants to be utterly forsaken.

Prophet Ayyub lived in misery for a long time. As the days passed by, it

became more and more difficult for him to bear his pain. So, he turned towards the only One who could relieve him of his suffering, Allah Almighty, and prayed. Ayyub said to Him “Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful.” Allah heard his supplication and answered it. He told Prophet Ayyub to strike the ground with his foot. When Ayyub did this, water from a spring miraculously flowed out of the earth. When Prophet Ayyub drank from that water and bathed in it, Allah cured him of all his illnesses and washed away his pain.

By the grace and mercy of Allah, Ayyub regained his strength, beauty and youth, so much so that his wife almost did not recognise him when she came home from work that day! After this, Allah restored Ayyub’s prosperity, and, to reward him for his beautiful patience, He increased His blessings upon him. Indeed, Allah provided his prophet with more wealth and more children than before. Prophet Ayyub (Peace be Upon Him)’s trials truly showed the sincerity and strength of his faith, and his incredible patience in the face of hardship is a lesson for us all.

GLOSSARY

Shun: To avoid Livestock: Farm animals such as cows, sheep, horses & mules Endow: To provide, to gift someone with something Calamity: Disastrous event marked by a great loss Falter: To start losing strength Steadfast: Firm in belief Ailment: Disease Loathsome: Repulsive Unwearyingly: Tirelessly Forsaken: Abandoned