LANALLAH __Islamic BlogZine__: Ayyub (A.S): An Example of Faith and Patience

LANALLAH __Islamic BlogZine__

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Ayyub (A.S): An Example of Faith and Patience

The story of Ayyub (Job) gives consolation to all those who are ill
or deprived of wealth or children.

The angels were discussing the conditions of mankind, their
obedience and disobedience. One of them said that Ayyub was the best
man on earth. He was an obedient believer, always praying to Allah.
Allah blessed Ayyub to be wealthy for eighty years. During this time
he never forgot to worship or thank Allah. He shared his wealth with the poor and clothed the naked.

Satan could not believe that there was a servant as sincere as
Ayyub. Satan thought that his wealth was the reason for his
sincerity, so he asked Allah for power to take away Ayyub's wealth
with the intentions to mislead him. He reacted to his lost by saying
that the wealth belongs to Allah and I thank him for what he has
granted me and I thank .him for what he has taken. He then kneeled
down in prayer. This made Satan angry.

Satan tried twice to mislead Ayyub after losing his wealth by asking
Allah for power to take away his children and health. Allah
(subhanahu wa ta'ala) said I will give you power over his body, but
I warn you against approaching his soul, tongue, and heart, because
in them lies the secret of Faith. Ayyub acted in the same manner as
when his wealth was taken away from him.

Satan realized that he couldn't misguide Ayyub, so he went to his
wife to mislead her, by reminding her of their previous life style.
Satan was successful in misleading his wife. This led to her
complaining to Ayyub about their present state. This caused Ayyub to
become upset with her and he vowed that he would beat her 100 times
if Allah gave him back his health.

Satan was not successful in misguiding Ayyub. Allah then restored
him with all that he had lost. Ayyub now had to fulfill his vow of
striking his wife.

Allah ordered him to strike his wife once with a 100 pieces of good
smelling grass, out of mercy for her. Indeed Allah is the most
merciful.

The story of Ayyub should be a constant reminder for us all. We
should read this story often just to remind ourselves. Many of us
complain about the little things in life. Allah tested Ayyub in ways
that we can really relate to. His faith and patience is something
that we as true believing Muslims should try and implement in our
lives, when Allah tests us in these situations. In the Quraan Allah
says,

"Truly! We found him patient. How excellent (a) slave! Verily, he
was ever oft returning in repentance (to us)." [Quran:38:4].

During these times we must remember Allah more, pray harder, and be
more thankful instead of being dissatisfied with our condition. We
should praise and thank Allah for every condition that he tests us
with. As we know these are the times when Satan tries to work on us
the most by playing with our minds, emotions, and weaknesses. Allah
would never forget to reward a servant for such a great task.

"And (remember) Ayyub when he cried to his Lord: Verily, distress
has seized me and you are the Most Merciful of all who show mercy."
[Quraan:21:83]

"So We answered his call, and We removed the distress that was on
him, and We restored his family to him (that he had lost), and the
like thereof along with them, as a mercy from Ourselves and a
Reminder for all those who worship us." [Quraan:21:84]

May Allah give us the faith and the patience when we are tested.
Ameen.

¶ 5:43 PM