Sūrat al-Anbiyāʾ

Section 14 of 21 · Surah Studies · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera

The Patience of Ayyūb

Then the discussion moves to Ayyūb (peace be upon him), and the patience he had to keep through the affliction that came upon him. This is the ṣabr of Ayyūb (peace be upon him), which is famous.

But then Allah says — and with all of these the discussion is the same: then We answered them; then We made them better; then We gave them respite; then We saved them.

فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِۦ مِن ضُرٍّ ۖ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ أَهْلَهُۥ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَـٰبِدِينَ

“So, We answered his prayer and removed whatever pain he had, and gave him (back) his family and the like thereof along with them, as a mercy from Our own Self and as a lesson for the worshippers.” (21:84)

Fa-stajabnā lahu fa-kashafnā mā bihi min ḍurr: We removed all the sickness from him. Read the account of his sickness and one would think he could never get better. But Allah made him far better than he had been before. So those who have severe eczema, or severe burns upon the body, or whatever it may be — let them make duʿāʾ to Allah (swt).

Then Idrīs, Ismāʿīl and Dhū al-Kifl are spoken of; but all of these briefly.