2. A long time ago there lived a kind and pious man called Ayyub. Ayyub was a very
wealthy man but he would still work hard with the peasants and farmers. He was
always thankful to Allah for giving him so much. He would also help the poor and
needy people with what he had. Allah was pleased with Ayyub and made him a
Prophet.
3. One day Shaytan came to the people in the form of a man and told them: Don’t you
know that Ayyub is only thankful and pious because he has so much wealth? If
everything was taken away from him he would surely lose his faith in Allah. Upon
hearing this, some people stopped believing in Prophet Ayyub (‘a)
4. Shaytan went to the heavens and said to Allah: If I
had the permission I would prove to the people that
Ayyub is only thankful because of the wealth You
have given him.
Allah said: We know Our servants better than you. If
you wish to test him, you have the permission to do
so. Upon hearing this, Shaytan was very happy and
shouted to his friends: Now we shall see!
5. The next day, Shaytan put a terrible disease in the sheep that belonged to Prophet Ayyub
(‘a) and they all died. Instead of getting upset, Ayyub (‘a) raised his hands and prayed to
Allah: O Allah, these sheep were a trust from You and now You have taken Your trust back.
I have no complaint and I give thanks to You!
Shaytan said to his companions:
Of course he still has a large farm
from which he gets much yeild and
he can afford to buy even more
sheep. That is why he is not
complaining.
6. In the middle of the night, Shaytan came to the farm and gardens of Ayyub (‘a) and
burnt them to the ground. In the morning, Ayyub (‘a) was told that his whole farm
and all his gardens had been burnt. Instead of becoming sad, Prophet Ayyub (‘a)
raised his hands and said: O Allah, I still give thanks to You!
7. Shaytan became angry and caused
the houses of the children of
Prophet Ayyub (‘a) to collapse over
them, killing them all. When the
news of this reached Ayyub (‘a), he
was worshipping Allah. He became
silent for a moment and then said: O
Allah, life and death are in Your
hands. You gave me offspring and
now You have taken them back. I
continue to give thanks to You!
8. One of the followers of Shaytan said: Ayyub is indeed a good servant of Allah and is
thankful to Him at all times.
Shaytan replied: But look! Even though he has lost all his possessions, he is still
healthy and strong. I am sure that if he loses his good health, then he will certainly
stop giving thanks to Allah!
9. The next day when Ayyub (‘a) awoke, he found that his whole body was covered with
wounds. When his wife saw his wounds she immediately began cleaning and
bandaging them. Shaytan told the people: Look at Ayyub, he has a dangerous
disease! You must force him to leave this town otherwise you will all be infected! The
people listened to Shaytan and forced Prophet Ayyub (‘a) to leave the town with his
wife and go to a desert outside the city. His wife would work in the town during the
day and take care of him in the evening.
10. Seven years passed, then one day Shaytan
came to Prophet Ayyub (‘a) and said: What
condition are you in Ayyub? Do you still
give thanks to Allah? Ayyub replied: Go
away from me you accursed Shaytan! I will
continue to give thanks to Allah till the day I
die! And saying that he raised his hands
and said: O Allah, I seek Your protection
and give thanks to You! Indeed You are the
Most Kind!
11. At that very moment he received a
reply from Allah: O Ayyub! You are
indeed a thankful servant of mine.
Now strike your foot on the ground
and a spring of water will gush forth.
Take a bath with this water and you
will be cured of all sickness. When
Ayyub (‘a) did this, not only did all
the wounds disappear from his
body, but he became young again!
Upon seeing this, Shaytan gave out
a shriek, shot up in a ball of fire and
disappeared.
12. When his wife returned from the town, at
first she did not recognize him but later she
understood what had happened. She too
washed herself with the miraculous water
and became young. And Allah blessed them
with children and gave them all the bounties
that they had lost, and more…!
F.T. Jaffer
