Who was Hazrat Prophet Ayub – story?

Allah has sent 124,000 Prophets out of which one was Hazrat Ayub عليه السلام who spent 18 years with a skin disease.

• Biblical name: Prophet Job.
• Full Name: Ayub Ibn Amose Ibn Zerah Ibn Esau Ibn Ishaq عليه السلام.
• Wife: Leah bint Manasseh Ibn Yusuf عليه السلام.

Birth of Prophet Ayub

Prophet Ayub عليه السلام was born around 1630 BC and died in 1537 BC at the age of 93 years in present-day Oman. It is said that his native country was the land of Aouss which was located towards Dhofar in Oman.

These dates are approximate as it is believed that he was born after the death of Prophet Yusuf عليه السلام and died before the birth of Prophet Musa عليه السلام.

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. – Job 1:8

Prophet Ayub in Quran

The name of Prophet Ayub عليه السلام is mentioned 4 times in the Holy Quran at different places.

Prophet Ayub Skin Disease

Prophet Ayub عليه السلام was blessed with health, wealth, and family. Yet Allah wanted to test his faith and eventually all was taken.

At the age of 70 years, his wealth vanished, he lost his family and he got terribly sick. Prophet Ayub عليه السلام got infected with a skin-related disease (could be smallpox) where his entire body got covered with sores except his tongue and heart. Yet he had such a strong faith in Allah that he did not become hopeless.

It is also important to mention here that his illness did not cause worms to emerge from his body, as some said, nor did his flesh fall off of his body as some claim. All of that is repulsive and did not occur to Prophet Ayub عليه السلام.

Leah bint Manasseh – the wife

Leah bint Manasseh, the wife of Prophet Ayub عليه السلام was the only person who used to take care of him.

Leah bint Manasseh was the grand-daughter of Prophet Yusuf عليه السلام who used to rule Egypt at one time, she was raised like a princess. Yet she was doing odd jobs at people’s houses to take care of her husband when their financial condition weakened.

Soon, people stopped employing her due to the fear of contagious diseases her husband had and she had to sell everything she had to arrange food.

Prophet Ayub عليه السلام sickness lasted for 18 years and it was a test for not only him but for her wife as well who was brought up like a princess.

Prophet Ayub عليه السلام and Leah bint Manasseh had 26 sons together.

Two Brothers

Prophet Ayub عليه السلام had two brothers who used to come to ask for his health. One day when they came, they could not come nearby due to the immense smell. One of them said to another one, if Ayub had done anything good in his life, Allah would not have given him this much sickness. 

It was so painful for Prophet Ayub عليه السلام that he immediately told them.

• I have never spent a peaceful night if I knew that someone is hungry.
• I never kept two shirts with me if I knew that there is someone who does not have a single shirt.
• If I hear someone taking the oath, I pay Kaffara for breaking the oath from his side thinking that he might have done it wrongly.

Recovery from the sickness

His wife used to take him to the toilet and stayed with him throughout the time.

One day she got late and Prophet Ayub عليه السلام started crying to Allah saying: Satan has afflicted me with distress and suffering.

Allah responded, “Stomp your foot now. Here is a cool ˹and refreshing˺ spring for washing and drinking.” – Suad 38:42

Prophet Ayub عليه السلام stomped his foot on the ground and a cool and refreshing water stream emerged from there. The miraculous water helped him heal all his sores and soon his health was recovered.

• This water spring is called Sharsate and it is still intact in Oman.
• His footprints are also preserved and embedded in a stone.

When the wife of Prophet Ayub عليه السلام saw him, she could not recognize him with his youthful appearance. She asked him considering a stranger, “Have you seen the Prophet of God, the one who is inflicted with illness?  You resemble him greatly.”

Prophet Ayub عليه السلام told her, “It is I”. Then she recognized her husband.

Allah praised his patience and gave him back his health, wealth, and family.

Oath of 100 lashes

Once Prophet Ayub عليه السلام became angry with his wife and vowed to give her one hundred lashes if he recovered. When his affliction was lifted, he became remorseful at what he had said. How can he harm his wife when she was so helpful to him for 18 years?

To help him fulfill his vow without harming his wife, Allah ordered him to strike her with a bundle of one hundred blades of grass. – Suad 38:44

Prophet Ayub grave

Prophet Ayub عليه السلام died in 1537 BC at the age of 93 years in present-day Oman and got buried there. His tomb is located in Beit Zarbji, 27 kilometers from Salalah in the mountains.

• Prophet Ayub Tomb location.