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{{Short description|Prophet in Islam}}
{{religious text primary|date=December 2012}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox
|name = Infobox/Quranic character
| honorific_prefix = {{smaller|[[Prophets in Islam|Islamic prophet]]}}
|bodystyle =
| name = Ayyūb<br />{{lang|ar|{{Nastaliq|أيّوب}}}}<br />Job
|titlestyle =
| other_names = {{Hebrew|אִיּוֹב}} ʾIyyôḇ
|abovestyle = background: #cfc;
| image = Job the prophet.jpg
|subheaderstyle =
| image_size =
|title = [[Prophets and messengers in Islam#Known prophets|Nabī]]
| alt =
|above = Ayūb ([[Alayhi assalam]])
| caption = ''Job''<br/><small>[[Persian miniature]] from a collection of [[Stories of the Prophets]]</small>
|subheader = {{lang|ar|أيوب}}
| birth_name =
|subheader2 = {{Script/Hebrew|אִיּוֹב}} ʾIyyôḇ
| birth_date =
|imagestyle =
| birth_place =
|captionstyle =
| death_date =
| death_place =
|image =
| resting_place =
|caption =
|headerstyle = background: #ccf;
| children =
|labelstyle = background: #ddf;
| parents =
| spouse =
|datastyle =
| header1 = Biography
| relatives =
| label2 = Born
| data2 =<!-- include date and location -->
|header2 =
| label3 = Died
| data3 =<!-- include date and location -->
|header3 =
| label4 = Disappeared
| data4 =
|header4 =
| label5 = Spouse
| data5 =
|header5 =
| label6 = Partner
| data6 =
|header6 =
| label7 = Children
| data7 =
|header7 =
| label8 = Parents
| data8 =
|header8 =
| label9 = Burial
| data9 = (See [[#Associated places]])
| header10 = Quranic narratives
| label11 = Mention by name
| data11 = Yes
|header11 =
| label12 = ''[[Surah]]'' ([[List of chapters in the Quran|Chapters]])
| data12 = [[An-Nisa|4]], [[Al-An'am|6]], [[Al-Anbiya|21]], [[Ṣād (surah)|38]]
|header12 =
| label13 = ''[[Āyah|Āyāt]]''
| data13 = {{Collapsible list
| bullets = on
| title = {{nobold|'''verse:'''}}
|4:163
|6:84
|21:83
|38:41–44
}}
|header13 =
| label14 = ''Tafsir''
| data14 =
|header14 =
| label15 = Number of mentions
| data15 = 4
|header15 =
| label16 = Other narratives
| data16 =
| header16 = Prophethood
| label17 = Other narrations
| data17 =
|header17 =
| label18 = Known for
| data18 = Enduring severe trials while remaining faithful to [[God in Islam|Allah]]
|header18 =
| label19 = Scripture
| data19 =
|header19 =
| label20 = Predecessor
| data20 = [[Joseph in Islam|Yusuf]]
|header20 =
| label21 = Successor
| data21 = [[Shu'ayb]]
|header21 =
| label22 = Status
| data22 = Prophet
|header22 =
| label23 = Other equivalent
| data23 = [[Job (biblical figure)|Job]]
|belowstyle = background: #ddf;
|below = Footnotes
}}
}}
{{Islamic prophets|Prophets in the Quran}}
{{Islamic prophets|Prophets in the Quran}}
'''Job''' ({{langx|ar|أيوب|translit=Ayūb}}) is known as a [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|prophet in Islam]] and is mentioned in the [[Quran]].<ref>[[Abdullah Yusuf Ali]], ''[[The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation and Commentary]]'', note '''2739''': "Job (Ayūb) was a prosperous man, with faith in [[God in Islam|Allah]], living somewhere in the north-east corner of Arabia. He suffers from a number of calamities: his cattle are destroyed, his servants slain by the sword, his family crushed under his roof, and his wealth is lost. But he holds fast to his faith in Allah. As a further calamity he is covered with loathsome sores from head to foot. He loses his peace of mind, and he curses the day he was born. His false friends come and attribute his afflictions to sin. These "Job's comforters" are no comforters at all, and he further loses his balance of mind, but Allah recalls to him all His mercies, and he resumes his humility and gives up self-justification. He is restored to prosperity, with twice as much as he had before; his brethren and friends come back to him; he had a new family of seven sons and three fair daughters. He lived to a good old age, and saw four generations of descendants. All this is recorded in the Book of Job in the Old Testament. Of all the Hebrew writings, the Hebrew of this Book comes nearest to Arabic."</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Surah An-Nisa - 163 |url=https://quran.com/an-nisa/163 |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=Quran.com |language=en}}</ref> Job's story in Islam is parallel to [[Job (biblical figure)|the Hebrew Bible's story]], although the main emphasis is on Job remaining steadfast to [[God in Islam|God]]; there is no mention of Job's discussions with friends in the Qur'anic text, but [[Tafsir|later Muslim literature]] states that Job had brothers, who argued with the man about the cause of his affliction. Some Muslim commentators also spoke of Job as being the ancestor of the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]].<ref name="Wheeler171">Brandon M. Wheeler, ''Historical Dictionary of Prophets in Islam and Judaism'', ''Job'', p. 171.</ref> Islamic literature also comments on Job's time and place of prophetic ministry, saying that he came after [[Islamic view of Joseph|Joseph]] in the prophetic series and that he preached to his own people rather than being sent to a specified community. Tradition further recounts that Job will be the leader in [[Heaven]] of the group of "those who patiently endured".<ref>''Encyclopedia of Islam'', A. Jefferey, ''Ayyub''</ref>
{{Islam}}
'''Job''' ({{lang-ar|أيّوب ''Ayyūb''}}) is considered a [[Prophets of Islam|prophet]] in [[Islam]] and is mentioned in the [[Qur'an]].<ref>[[Abdullah Yusuf Ali]], ''[[The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation and Commentary]]'', note '''2739''': "Job (Ayub) was a prosperous man, with faith in Allah, living somewhere in the north-east corner of Arabia. He suffers from a number of calamities: his cattle are destroyed, his servants slain by the sword, and his family crushed under his roof. But he holds fast to his faith in Allah. As a further calamity he is covered with loathsome sores from head to foot. He loses his peace of mind, and he curses the day he was born. His false friends come and attribute his afflictions to sin. These "Job's comforters" are no comforters at all, and he further loses his balance of mind, but Allah recalls to him all His mercies, and he resumes his humility and gives up self-justification. He is restored to prosperity, with twice as much as he had before; his brethren and friends come back to him; he had a new family of seven sons and three fair daughters. He lived to a good old age, and saw four generations of descendants. All this is recorded in the Book of Job in the Old Testament. Of all the Hebrew writings, the Hebrew of this Book comes nearest to Arabic."</ref>
Job's story in Islam is parallel to [[Job (biblical figure)|the Hebrew Bible story]], although the main emphasis is on Job remaining steadfast to God; there is no mention of Job's discussions with friends in the Qur'anic text, but [[Tafsir|later Muslim literature]] states that Job had brothers, who argued with the man about the cause of his affliction. Some Muslim commentators also spoke of Job as being the ancestor of the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]].<ref name="Wheeler171">Brandon M. Wheeler, ''Historical Dictionary of Prophets in Islam and Judaism'', ''Job'', p. 171.</ref>
Islamic literature also comments on Job's time and place of prophetic ministry, saying that he came after [[Islamic view of Joseph|Joseph]] in the prophetic series and that he preached to his own people rather than being sent to a specified community. Tradition further recounts that Job will be the leader in [[Heaven]] of the group of "those who patiently endured".<ref>''Encyclopedia of Islam'', A. Jefferey, ''Ayyub''</ref>


==In the Quran==
==In the Quran==
Ayyūb (Job) is first mentioned in the [[Quran]] in the following verse: {{Quote| We have sent thee inspiration, as We sent it to Noah and the Messengers after him: we sent inspiration to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, to Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the Psalms. |Quran|sura 4 (An-Nisa), ayah 163<ref>{{Cite quran|4|163|s=ns}}</ref>}}
Ayūb (Job) is first mentioned in the [[Quran]] in the following verse: {{Blockquote| Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him. And we revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the book [of Zabur]. |Quran|surah 4 (An-Nisa), ayah 163<ref>{{Cite quran|4|163|s=ns}}</ref>}}


The Quran describes Job as a righteous servant of Allah, who was afflicted by suffering for a lengthy period of time. However, it clearly states that Job never lost faith in [[God in Islam|God]] and forever called to God in prayer, asking Him to remove his affliction:
The Quran describes Job as a righteous servant of God, who was afflicted by suffering for a lengthy period of time. However, it clearly states that Job never lost faith in God and forever called to God in prayer, asking Him to remove his affliction:
{{Quote|And Job, when he cried unto his Lord, (saying): Lo! Adversity afflicteth me, and Thou art Most Merciful of all who show mercy.|Quran|sura 21 (''[[Al-Anbiya|The Prophets]]''), ayah 83<ref>{{Cite quran|21|83|s=ns}}</ref>}}
{{Blockquote| And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful."|Quran|surah 21 (''[[Al-Anbiya|The Prophets]]''), ayah 83<ref>{{Cite quran|21|83|s=ns}}</ref>}}
The narrative goes on to state that after many years of suffering, God ordered Job to "Strike with thy foot!".<ref>{{cite quran|38|41|s=ns}}</ref> At once, Job struck the ground with his foot and God caused a cool spring of water to gush forth from the Earth, from which Job could replenish himself. The Quran states that it was then that God removed his pain and suffering and He returned Job's family to him, blessed him with many generations of children and granted him great wealth. In addition to the brief descriptions of Job's narrative, the Quran further mentions Job twice in the lists of those whom God had given special guidance, wisdom and inspiration (IV: 163) and as one of the men who received authority, the Book and the gift of prophethood (VI:84).
The narrative goes on to state that after many years of suffering, God ordered Job to "Strike with thy foot!".<ref>{{cite quran|38|41|s=ns}}</ref> At once, Job struck the ground with his foot and God caused a cool spring of water to gush forth from the Earth, from which Job could replenish himself. The Quran states that it was then that God removed his pain and suffering and He returned Job's family to him, blessed him with many generations of children and granted him great wealth. In addition to the brief descriptions of Job's narrative, the Quran further mentions Job twice in the lists of those whom God had given special guidance, wisdom and inspiration (4:163) and as one of the men who received authority, the gift of prophethood (6:84).


After Satan has given up trying to turn Job away from the Lord, God removed Job's affliction and returned his family to him, doubling them in number. He returned Job's wealth and showered Job with gold. Once Job's wife had seen her husband restored to prosperity and health, she prayed thanks to God but then worried over the oath her husband had taken earlier, in which he had promised to beat her with a hundred strokes. Job was also deeply grieved over the oath he had taken, amidst his suffering. God, however, sent a [[revelation]] to Job, which told him to not beat his wife but to gently hit her with a bundle of soft grass.<ref>Qur'an 38:44</ref>
After Satan had given up trying to turn Job away from the Lord, God removed Job's affliction and returned his family to him, doubling them in number. He returned Job's wealth and showered Job with gold. Once [[Job's wife]] had seen her husband restored to prosperity and health, she prayed thanks to God but then worried over the oath her husband had taken earlier, in which he had promised to strike her with a hundred lashes. Job was also deeply grieved over the oath he had taken, amidst his suffering. God, however, sent a [[revelation]] to Job, which told him to not beat his wife but to hit her once, using a bundle of a hundred blades of grass.<ref>Qur'an 38:44</ref>


==Qur'anic commentary and Muslim tradition==
==Qur'anic commentary and Muslim tradition==
[[Ibn Kathir]] narrates the story in the following manner. Job was a very rich person with much land, and many animals and children — all of which were lost and soon he was struck with skin disease as a test from God. He was afflicted with sores that crawled with worms.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/535491547|title=Illustrated dictionary of the Muslim world.|date=2011|publisher=Marshall Cavendish Reference|others=Marshall Cavendish Reference (Firm)|isbn=978-0-7614-7929-1|location=Tarrytown, N.Y.|oclc=535491547}}</ref> He remained steadfast and patient all along, so God eventually relieved him of the disease.<ref>{{cite book |author=Ibn Kathir |title=Stories of the Prophet |date=2001 |publisher=Dar Al-Manarah |location=[[Mansoura, Egypt|Mansura]] |isbn=977-6005-17-9 |pages=157–9}}</ref>

<br />
[[Ibn Kathir]] narrates the story in the following manner. Job was a very rich person with much land, and many animals and children — all of which were lost and soon he was struck with disease as a test from God. He remained steadfast and patient, so God eventually relieved him of the disease.<ref>{{cite book |author=Ibn Kathir |authorlink= |title=Stories of the Prophet |url= |accessdate= |year= |publisher=Dar Al-Manarah |location=[[Mansoura, Egypt|Mansura]] |isbn=977-6005-17-9 |pages=157–9}}</ref>
<br>


Job's lineage was an important field of study for many of the early Islamic scholars. A prevalent belief among early commentators was that Job descended from the line of [[Esau]], the son of [[Isaac in Islam|Ishaq]]. Although various commentators gave different genealogies relating to Job, all of them traced his ancestry to Abraham through Isaac's son Esau.<ref>[[Ibn Kathir]] states in ''[[Stories of the Prophets]]'': "Ibn Ishaaq stated that he was a man of Rum. His name was Job, son of Mose, son of Razeh, son of Esau, son of Isaac, son of Abraham."</ref> Those scholars who traced Job's lineage back to Abraham did so by using the following Qur'anic verse as the basis for their view:<blockquote>"That was the reasoning about Us which We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people. We raise whom We will in degree, for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge. We bestowed upon him [Abraham] Isaac and Jacob, all (three) We guided; and before him We guided Noah and among his progeny David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. Thus do We reward those who do good."<ref>{{Cite quran|6|83-84|s=ns}}</ref></blockquote>
Job's lineage was an important field of study for many of the early Islamic scholars. A prevalent belief among early commentators was that Job descended from the line of [[Esau]], the son of [[Isaac in Islam|Ishaq]]. Although various commentators gave different genealogies relating to Job, all of them traced his ancestry to Abraham through Isaac's son Esau.<ref>[[Ibn Kathir]] states in ''[[Stories of the Prophets]]'': "Ibn Ishaaq stated that he was a man of Rum. His name was Job, son of Mose, son of Razeh, son of Esau, son of Isaac, son of Abraham."</ref> Those scholars who traced Job's lineage back to Abraham did so by using the following Qur'anic verse as the basis for their view:<blockquote>"That was the reasoning about Us which We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people. We raise whom We will in degree, for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge. We bestowed upon him [Abraham] Isaac and Jacob, all (three) We guided; and before him We guided Noah and among his progeny David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. Thus do We reward those who do good."<ref>{{Cite quran|6|83-84|s=ns}}</ref></blockquote>


Muslim historical literature fleshes out Job's story and describes him as being a late descendant of the patriarch [[Noah]]. Similar to the [[Hebrew Bible]]'s narrative, [[Ibn Kathir]] mentions that [[Satan in Islam|Satan]] heard the angels of God speak of Job as being the most faithful man of his generation. Job, being a chosen prophet of God, would remain committed in daily prayer and would frequently call to God, thanking God for blessing him with abundant wealth and a large family. But Satan planned to turn the God-fearing Job away from God and wanted Job to fall into disbelief and corruption. Therefore, God allowed Satan to afflict Job with distress and intense illness and suffering, as God knew that Job would never turn away from his Lord. Although Job's possessions were destroyed and he suffered many calamities, he remained steadfast in his worship of God and remained committed to his religion. Satan then appeared to Job in the guise of an old man and suggested that God was not rewarding Job for his prayer. Job, however, rebuked Satan and told him that God is all-knowing and does what He thinks is best. It is said that then Satan, having failed at tempting Job, turned to Job's wife, who was also a faithful woman. Satan reminded Job's wife of her life before Job's affliction and how they were abundant in family and fortune. Job's wife, although she did not lose faith, burst into tears and asked Job to tell God to remove this suffering from the household. Job, in his misery, rebuked his wife and told her that this suffering had been for a relatively short period of time and, without thinking, told her that he would beat her with 100 strokes for complaining. After Job was cured, God ordered him to take some grass and to hit her once with 100 blades of grass. By doing this, Job fulfilled his promise to God but didn't hurt her. This Islamic narrative has now become symbolic and is often used by Islamic preachers as a reminder to be kind with wives.<ref name="IbnKathir">[[Ibn Kathir]], ''Stories of the Prophets'', ''The Story of the Prophet Job''</ref>
Muslim historical literature fleshes out Job's story and describes him as being a late descendant of the patriarch [[Noah]].
Similar to the [[Hebrew Bible]] narrative, [[Ibn Kathir]] mentions that [[Satan in Islam|Satan]] heard the angels of God speak of Job as being the most faithful man of his generation. Job, being a chosen prophet of God, would remain committed in daily prayer and would frequently call to God, thanking God for blessing him with abundant wealth and a large family. But Satan planned to turn the God-fearing Job away from God and wanted Job to fall into disbelief and corruption. Therefore, God allowed Satan to afflict Job with distress and intense illness and suffering, as God knew that Job would never turn away from his Lord. Although Job's possessions were destroyed and he suffered many calamities, he remained steadfast in his worship of God and remained committed to his religion. Satan then appeared to Job in the guise of an old man and suggested that God was not rewarding Job for his prayer. Job, however, rebuked Satan and told him that God is all-knowing and does what He thinks is best. It is said that then Satan, having failed at tempting Job, turned to Job's wife, who was also a faithful woman. Satan reminded Job's wife of her life before Job's affliction and how they were abundant in family and fortune. Job's wife, although she did not lose faith, burst into tears and asked Job to tell God to remove this suffering from the household. Job, in his misery, rebuked his wife and told her that this suffering had been for a relatively short period of time and, without thinking, told her that he would beat her with 100 strokes for complaining.<ref name="IbnKathir">[[Ibn Kathir]], ''Stories of the Prophets'', ''The Story of the Prophet Job''</ref>


Philip K. Hitti asserted that the subject was an Arab and the setting was Northern Arabia.<ref>Hitti, Philip K. (1970). History of the Arabs: From the earliest time to the present. London: Macmillan Education LTD, 10th edition. pp. 42-43. ISBN
0-333-06152-7 [https://archive.org/stream/HistoryOfTheArabs-PhilipK.Hitti/History%20of%20The%20Arabs%20-%20Philip%20K.%20Hitti#page/42/ Internet Archives website]</ref>


===Eyyub's Cave===
==Associated places==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Jebel Qara - moschea presso la tomba di Giobbe - panoramio.jpg|Ayyub's claimed shrine in [[Dhofar Mountains|Al-Qarah Mountains]], southern [[Oman]]
Eyyub's Cave.JPG|The entrance to the cave where Prophet Ayyub (Job) went through his ordeal with illness, [[Urfa]], southeast [[Turkey]].
Eyyub's Cave.JPG|The entrance to the cave where Ayyub reportedly went through his ordeal with illness, at [[Urfa]] in southeast [[Turkey]]
File:Panoramic Eyyub.JPG|A panoramic view of the Prophet Eyyub Complex
File:Panoramic Eyyub.JPG|A panoramic view of the Prophet Eyyub Complex
</gallery>
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Job (biblical figure)]]


==References==
==References==
Line 58: Line 124:


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
=== Qur'an references===


===Qur'an references===
* Job's prophecy: [http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=4&verseBegin=163&verseEnd=163 4:163], [http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=6&verseBegin=84&verseEnd=84 6:84]
* Trial and patience: [http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=21&verseBegin=83&verseEnd=83 21:83], [http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=21&verseBegin=84&verseEnd=84 21:84], [http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=38&verseBegin=41&verseEnd=41 38:41], [http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=38&verseBegin=42&verseEnd=42 38:42], [http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=38&verseBegin=43&verseEnd=42 38:43], [http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=38&verseBegin=44&verseEnd=44 38:44]
* Job's prophecy: [https://web.archive.org/web/20120310084228/http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=4&verseBegin=163&verseEnd=163 4:163], [https://web.archive.org/web/20120310084104/http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=6&verseBegin=84&verseEnd=84 6:84]
* Trial and patience: [https://web.archive.org/web/20120310084233/http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=21&verseBegin=83&verseEnd=83 21:83], [https://web.archive.org/web/20120310084237/http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=21&verseBegin=84&verseEnd=84 21:84], [https://web.archive.org/web/20120310084241/http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=38&verseBegin=41&verseEnd=41 38:41], [https://web.archive.org/web/20120310084250/http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=38&verseBegin=42&verseEnd=42 38:42], [https://web.archive.org/web/20120310084253/http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=38&verseBegin=43&verseEnd=42 38:43], [https://web.archive.org/web/20120310084257/http://www.submission.info/servlet/qtbrowse?pickthall=true&yusufali=true&shakir=true&arabic=true&chapter=38&verseBegin=44&verseEnd=44 38:44]


===Further reading===
===Further reading===

* [[Ibn Kathir]], ''Bidaya wa l-Nihaya'', i, 220–225
* [[Ibn Kathir]], ''Bidaya wa l-Nihaya'', i, 220–225
* ''Tafsir'' on XXI and XXXVII
* ''Tafsir'' on XXI and XXXVII
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{{Prophets in the Qur'an}}
{{Prophets in the Qur'an}}
{{Qur'anic people}}
{{Qur'anic people}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Prophets of Islam]]
[[Category:Job (biblical figure)]]
[[Category:Job (biblical figure)]]
[[Category:Biblical people in Islam]]
[[Category:Prophets of the Quran]]
[[Category:Hebrew Bible prophets of the Quran]]

Latest revision as of 19:45, 2 November 2024

Nabī
Ayūb (Alayhi assalam)
أيوب
אִיּוֹב‎ ʾIyyôḇ
Biography
Burial(See #Associated places)
Quranic narratives
Mention by nameYes
Surah (Chapters)4, 6, 21, 38
Āyāt
verse:
  • 4:163
  • 6:84
  • 21:83
  • 38:41–44
Number of mentions4
Prophethood
Known forEnduring severe trials while remaining faithful to Allah
PredecessorYusuf
SuccessorShu'ayb
StatusProphet
Other equivalentJob
Footnotes
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Part of a series on Islam
Islamic prophets
Prophets in the Quran
Listed by Islamic name and Biblical name.
Main events
Views
Islam portal

Job (Arabic: أيوب, romanized: Ayūb) is known as a prophet in Islam and is mentioned in the Quran.[1][2] Job's story in Islam is parallel to the Hebrew Bible's story, although the main emphasis is on Job remaining steadfast to God; there is no mention of Job's discussions with friends in the Qur'anic text, but later Muslim literature states that Job had brothers, who argued with the man about the cause of his affliction. Some Muslim commentators also spoke of Job as being the ancestor of the Romans.[3] Islamic literature also comments on Job's time and place of prophetic ministry, saying that he came after Joseph in the prophetic series and that he preached to his own people rather than being sent to a specified community. Tradition further recounts that Job will be the leader in Heaven of the group of "those who patiently endured".[4]

In the Quran

[edit]

Ayūb (Job) is first mentioned in the Quran in the following verse:

Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him. And we revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Descendants, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon, and to David We gave the book [of Zabur].

— Quran, surah 4 (An-Nisa), ayah 163[5]

The Quran describes Job as a righteous servant of God, who was afflicted by suffering for a lengthy period of time. However, it clearly states that Job never lost faith in God and forever called to God in prayer, asking Him to remove his affliction:

And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, adversity has touched me, and you are the Most Merciful of the merciful."

— Quran, surah 21 (The Prophets), ayah 83[6]

The narrative goes on to state that after many years of suffering, God ordered Job to "Strike with thy foot!".[7] At once, Job struck the ground with his foot and God caused a cool spring of water to gush forth from the Earth, from which Job could replenish himself. The Quran states that it was then that God removed his pain and suffering and He returned Job's family to him, blessed him with many generations of children and granted him great wealth. In addition to the brief descriptions of Job's narrative, the Quran further mentions Job twice in the lists of those whom God had given special guidance, wisdom and inspiration (4:163) and as one of the men who received authority, the gift of prophethood (6:84).

After Satan had given up trying to turn Job away from the Lord, God removed Job's affliction and returned his family to him, doubling them in number. He returned Job's wealth and showered Job with gold. Once Job's wife had seen her husband restored to prosperity and health, she prayed thanks to God but then worried over the oath her husband had taken earlier, in which he had promised to strike her with a hundred lashes. Job was also deeply grieved over the oath he had taken, amidst his suffering. God, however, sent a revelation to Job, which told him to not beat his wife but to hit her once, using a bundle of a hundred blades of grass.[8]

Qur'anic commentary and Muslim tradition

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Ibn Kathir narrates the story in the following manner. Job was a very rich person with much land, and many animals and children — all of which were lost and soon he was struck with skin disease as a test from God. He was afflicted with sores that crawled with worms.[9] He remained steadfast and patient all along, so God eventually relieved him of the disease.[10]

Job's lineage was an important field of study for many of the early Islamic scholars. A prevalent belief among early commentators was that Job descended from the line of Esau, the son of Ishaq. Although various commentators gave different genealogies relating to Job, all of them traced his ancestry to Abraham through Isaac's son Esau.[11] Those scholars who traced Job's lineage back to Abraham did so by using the following Qur'anic verse as the basis for their view:

"That was the reasoning about Us which We gave to Abraham (to use) against his people. We raise whom We will in degree, for thy Lord is full of wisdom and knowledge. We bestowed upon him [Abraham] Isaac and Jacob, all (three) We guided; and before him We guided Noah and among his progeny David, Solomon, Job, Joseph, Moses, and Aaron. Thus do We reward those who do good."[12]

Muslim historical literature fleshes out Job's story and describes him as being a late descendant of the patriarch Noah. Similar to the Hebrew Bible's narrative, Ibn Kathir mentions that Satan heard the angels of God speak of Job as being the most faithful man of his generation. Job, being a chosen prophet of God, would remain committed in daily prayer and would frequently call to God, thanking God for blessing him with abundant wealth and a large family. But Satan planned to turn the God-fearing Job away from God and wanted Job to fall into disbelief and corruption. Therefore, God allowed Satan to afflict Job with distress and intense illness and suffering, as God knew that Job would never turn away from his Lord. Although Job's possessions were destroyed and he suffered many calamities, he remained steadfast in his worship of God and remained committed to his religion. Satan then appeared to Job in the guise of an old man and suggested that God was not rewarding Job for his prayer. Job, however, rebuked Satan and told him that God is all-knowing and does what He thinks is best. It is said that then Satan, having failed at tempting Job, turned to Job's wife, who was also a faithful woman. Satan reminded Job's wife of her life before Job's affliction and how they were abundant in family and fortune. Job's wife, although she did not lose faith, burst into tears and asked Job to tell God to remove this suffering from the household. Job, in his misery, rebuked his wife and told her that this suffering had been for a relatively short period of time and, without thinking, told her that he would beat her with 100 strokes for complaining. After Job was cured, God ordered him to take some grass and to hit her once with 100 blades of grass. By doing this, Job fulfilled his promise to God but didn't hurt her. This Islamic narrative has now become symbolic and is often used by Islamic preachers as a reminder to be kind with wives.[13]

Philip K. Hitti asserted that the subject was an Arab and the setting was Northern Arabia.[14]

Associated places

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  • Ayyub's claimed shrine in Al-Qarah Mountains, southern Oman
    Ayyub's claimed shrine in Al-Qarah Mountains, southern Oman
  • The entrance to the cave where Ayyub reportedly went through his ordeal with illness, at Urfa in southeast Turkey
    The entrance to the cave where Ayyub reportedly went through his ordeal with illness, at Urfa in southeast Turkey
  • A panoramic view of the Prophet Eyyub Complex
    A panoramic view of the Prophet Eyyub Complex

References

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  1. ^ Abdullah Yusuf Ali, The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation and Commentary, note 2739: "Job (Ayūb) was a prosperous man, with faith in Allah, living somewhere in the north-east corner of Arabia. He suffers from a number of calamities: his cattle are destroyed, his servants slain by the sword, his family crushed under his roof, and his wealth is lost. But he holds fast to his faith in Allah. As a further calamity he is covered with loathsome sores from head to foot. He loses his peace of mind, and he curses the day he was born. His false friends come and attribute his afflictions to sin. These "Job's comforters" are no comforters at all, and he further loses his balance of mind, but Allah recalls to him all His mercies, and he resumes his humility and gives up self-justification. He is restored to prosperity, with twice as much as he had before; his brethren and friends come back to him; he had a new family of seven sons and three fair daughters. He lived to a good old age, and saw four generations of descendants. All this is recorded in the Book of Job in the Old Testament. Of all the Hebrew writings, the Hebrew of this Book comes nearest to Arabic."
  2. ^ "Surah An-Nisa - 163". Quran.com. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  3. ^ Brandon M. Wheeler, Historical Dictionary of Prophets in Islam and Judaism, Job, p. 171.
  4. ^ Encyclopedia of Islam, A. Jefferey, Ayyub
  5. ^ Quran 4:163
  6. ^ Quran 21:83
  7. ^ Quran 38:41
  8. ^ Qur'an 38:44
  9. ^ Illustrated dictionary of the Muslim world. Marshall Cavendish Reference (Firm). Tarrytown, N.Y.: Marshall Cavendish Reference. 2011. ISBN 978-0-7614-7929-1. OCLC 535491547.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  10. ^ Ibn Kathir (2001). Stories of the Prophet. Mansura: Dar Al-Manarah. pp. 157–9. ISBN 977-6005-17-9.
  11. ^ Ibn Kathir states in Stories of the Prophets: "Ibn Ishaaq stated that he was a man of Rum. His name was Job, son of Mose, son of Razeh, son of Esau, son of Isaac, son of Abraham."
  12. ^ Quran 6:83-84
  13. ^ Ibn Kathir, Stories of the Prophets, The Story of the Prophet Job
  14. ^ Hitti, Philip K. (1970). History of the Arabs: From the earliest time to the present. London: Macmillan Education LTD, 10th edition. pp. 42-43. ISBN 0-333-06152-7 Internet Archives website

Bibliography

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Qur'an references

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Further reading

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