Speaking Tree | November 30, 2024

The Prophet Ayyub, or Job, a great prophet who lived in the ninth century BC in Hawran near Damascus in Syria, set great examples for mankind. Apart from his great wisdom and compassion, Ayyub was also a very rich man.

He had huge herds of cattle, vast fields, a large family and many friends. Yet, he remained an extremely steadfast and sincere servant of Allah, and was forever calling others to worship Him. But Satan made people think that it was only because Ayyub was wealthy that he lived a good life, and that if his blessings were taken away, he would no longer be grateful to Allah.

To put him to the test, Allah struck him with a series of calamities. His cattle and crops were destroyed, his children died and, worst of all, he became very ill, remaining bedridden for many years. Within a very short period of time, Ayyub became very poor and his friends left him one by one. But Ayyub was not angry. He put his entire trust in Allah, being confident that Allah knew everything. When his suffering and loneliness worsened, and his ailment and pain became unbearable, Ayyub turned to Allah in humble prayer, crying: “I am overcome by distress. But you are the most merciful of those that are merciful.”

Allah heard his beautiful prayer, and put an end to his long and terrible hardship. He ordered Ayyub to strike the ground with his feet. He did as commanded, and by a miracle, a spring of fresh water gushed forth. No sooner did Ayyub take a bath in it, than his illness was cured and he regained his health and strength.

Because Ayyub showed great patience throughout the worst of disasters, Allah not only rewarded him with great bounty in the hereafter, but redoubled his former prosperity in this world. He had a new family of seven sons and three daughters. He lived to the ripe old age of 93 and saw four generations. He became so rich that it was said that “he was rained upon with locusts of gold.”