5 Positive Lessons to be Learned from the Story of the Prophet Ayub

 

5 Positive Lessons to be Learned from the Story of the Prophet Ayub 

Every prophet and messenger sent by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala  has his own unique life story which of course provides many positive lessons for our lives as ordinary people.

One of them is the Prophet Ayyub ' Alaihissalam who is famous for his extraordinary patience in facing the trials given by Allah. Not only that, there are so many positive lessons that we can learn from his life story as a Prophet and Messenger of Allah.

1. Always be grateful and obey God in rich and poor times  

Prophet Ayyub ' Alaihissalam  who was sent by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala to a country called Hauran which is now located between Syria and Jordan and is told as a rich and respected figure in society where he has a lot of wealth such as livestock, agricultural fields, and have many offspring. 

But all the wealth that Allah Azza wa Jalla gave him did not immediately make him arrogant and forget about His greatness. He thanked him by always giving his possessions to anyone in need and never neglecting his duty to worship God. 

Likewise, when Prophet Ayyub was tested for possessions and everything he owned was gone. However, that did not affect his gratitude and level of obedience to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala which actually increased every time. 

2. Be patient and persevere in facing various trials

Not only did all his possessions disappear in an instant, Prophet Ayyub ' Alaihissalam again received a test from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala  in the form of a very severe and disgusting skin disease for 18 years.

As a result of his illness, he was shunned by everyone around him and even kicked out of his house. It is said that he lived in a garbage dump with his wife named Rahma bint Afrayim and two of his brothers. This story is found in the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah ,  peace be upon him , narrated by Anas bin Malik  Radhiyallahu 'anhu  , which means: 

And Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala also immortalized the ordeal experienced by Prophet Ayyub 'Alaihissalam in Surat Al-Anbiya verse 83 which reads. 

Meaning: And (remember the story of) Job, when he prayed to his Lord, "(My Lord), indeed, I have been afflicted with sickness, whereas You are the Most Merciful Lord of all the Merciful." (QS. Al-Anbiya: 83) 

 

But all of that did not make him complain and blame the situation he was suffering from. He remained calm and patient in facing the trials that continued to plague him repeatedly and continued to increase his worship during this difficult time.

3. Always surrender and pray to God alone

During the 18 years of wading through the ordeal of this disease, the Prophet Ayyub  ' Alaihissalam  always prayed to Allah  Subhanahu wa ta'ala  to be cured of his illness.

Then Allah answered his prayer and ordered him to stamp his feet on the ground which gave rise to springs that could cure his illness. By Allah's permission, the Prophet Ayyub recovered from his illness after he bathed and drank from the water that came out of the place ordered by Allah. This event was immortalized by Allah in Surah Shad verses 41-42 which reads. 

4. Keeping promises or oaths that have been made even though it is difficult

On one occasion, the wife of Prophet Ayyub  ' Alaihissalam  , Rahma bint Afrayim, came home late and made him very angry. Then he vowed to whip his wife a hundred times if she recovered from her illness.

When he had recovered and was about to fulfill his vow, namely to whip his wife a hundred times, the Prophet Ayyub could not do it because of his immense love. To his wife who had accompanied him during his serious illness and his wife often led him to the bathroom because he was so weak. 

But because he felt heavy hearted because his vow had not been fulfilled, God gave Prophet Ayyub an easement. Then he ordered him to take a bundle of wheat straw and hit his wife only once, as stated in the word of God in Surat Shad verse 44 which reads. 

5. Sincere in the face of loss because in fact everything belongs to Allah  

Not only about patience and fortitude that we can get from the story of the Prophet Ayyub ' Alaihissalam , but also taught about the importance of sincerity in living life with all its obstacles, including when we lose something valuable.

Like when Prophet Ayyub found himself poor and lost everything including his children plus a very painful skin disease. At that time the Prophet Ayyub actually received a very heavy trial. However, he sincerely accepted it because he knew and remembered that all property and descendants did not belong to him, but were entrusted to him by God which at any time could be taken back by Him. 

Those are the five positive lessons we can learn from the story of Prophet Ayyub  'Alaihissalam. May it be beneficial and increase our faith in Allah  Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. Amen Ya Rabbal 'Aalamin.