The Story of Job (Ayyub), a lesson on patience

Sometimes in life, hardships befall us. It sometimes feels like difficulties add up on one another and the light at the end of the tunnel, is merely a mirage.

The Story of Job (Ayyub)

Ayyub was a Prophet of Allah. It is said he was a descendant of Ibrahim and was extremely wealthy. He had plenty of livestock, cattle, and crops, many children and beautiful houses. Ayyub was a devotee of Allah. He was engaged in constant remembrance of Allah, giving charity to the poor in such an extensive way.

Ayyub was tested in all his riches, losing everything he had: possessions, children. Then he was tested with regard to his body until there was no part of it that was healthy except his heart.

Everybody around him shunned him: friends, relatives and even strangers; he was left alone on the edge of the city and there was no one who treated him with compassion except for his wife, who took care of him. He lived in a state of indigence, sickness for 13, 17, or 18 years depending on the narrations.

The Prophet of Allah, Ayyub, had the utmost patience! He is the best example of that. So much that Allah praised him in His Glorious Quran:

“…Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance to Us”[].

The Qur’an teaches us that Ayyub said:

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

Came the answer of Allah

“So We answered his call, and We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his family to him, and the like thereof along with them as a mercy from Ourselves and a Reminder for all those who worship Us.”[21:84]

What a happy end for those who trust Allah! We should learn to remain patient in the darkest times and make the most of every single minute of it. Following this example we could:

Step 1 – Say Alhamdulillah first.

“The real patience is at the first stroke of a calamity”[Bukhari].

Step 2 – Engage ourselves in repentance in an extensive way.

Step 3 – Trust Allah whatever befalls us and think well of Him. During the dark times of Ayyub’s tribulations he kept thinking well of Allah.

Step 4 –

“Verily, distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy.”[21:83].

We should make dua to Allah alone, using duas from the Quran and Sunnah.

Step 5 – Be patient; we shouldn’t be hasty in obtaining an answer from Allah. And remember, Allah, most merciful loves us and everything that befalls us is for the best.

Step 6 – Stay away from sins.

Step 7 – Be proactive by being thankful in times of ease.