The story of the gradual trials of Prophet Ayyub by Iblis, beginning from the loss of his wealth, the death of his sons, to severe illness, and how he remained patient and steadfast in faith through each trial.
The Trials That Prophet Ayyub Endured During His Lifetime
By various means of disturbance, the forces of Shaytan finally succeeded in shattering Ayyub's wealth, beginning with his livestock that died one by one until they were all gone, followed by his fields and gardens which were damaged and dried up, and his buildings which were burned to ashes by fire, so that in a very short time Ayyub who was wealthy suddenly became a poor man possessing nothing except his heart full of faith and God-consciousness and his noble soul.
After succeeding in destroying Ayyub's wealth and riches, Iblis came to him disguised as an old man who appeared wise and experienced and said: "Indeed, the calamity that has befallen you is terrible, so that in such a short time all your wealth has been exhausted and all your riches have disappeared. Your friends are saddened while your enemies are delighted and happy to see the suffering you experience because of the successive calamities that have struck your wealth and riches."
They wonder, what could have caused Ayyub to be struck by such a terrible calamity that made him lose all his wealth in a blink of an eye. Meanwhile, some of them say that perhaps because Ayyub was not sincere in his worship and all his good deeds, and some say that if Allah, Ayyub's Lord, were truly all-powerful, surely He could save Ayyub from disaster, considering that he has spent all his time worshiping and remembering Allah, never disobeying His commands.
The Trial of Prophet Ayyub
Another gossips by saying that perhaps Ayyub's worship was not accepted by the Lord, because he did not do it from a clean heart, and out of a desire to show off and be praised, and many more stories about this very sad event. I too sympathize with you, O Ayyub, and share your sadness and sorrow over the unfortunate fate that has befallen you."
Iblis, disguised as an old man, ended his words of incitement while observing Ayyub's face which remained calm and radiant, showing no signs of sadness or regret that Iblis sought to create with his poisonous words.
Ayyub said to him: "Know that what I have possessed in the form of wealth, buildings, fields and livestock and other things are all things that are a trust from Allah which He asks me to return after I have enjoyed them and benefited from them for a time, or like borrowed goods which are asked back by their owner when the time comes. So all praise and thanks be to Allah who has given His blessings to me and has also taken them back from whoever He wills and deprives of whoever He wishes."
He is the All-Powerful who raises the rank of one person or lowers it according to His will. We as servants and weak creatures of His should surrender ourselves to Him and accept all His decree and destiny, which sometimes we cannot yet understand and grasp the wisdom contained in His decree and destiny."
Having finished speaking his reply to Iblis who sat stunned before him, Ayyub bowed and prostrated to Allah beseeching His forgiveness for all his sins and for his steadfastness and patience through all His trials and tribulations.
The Trial of Prophet Ayyub
Iblis soon left Ayyub's house feeling disappointed that his poisonous incitement had not taken hold of the heart of this servant of Allah named Ayyub. But Iblis will never give up the oath he has declared before Allah and His angels that he will try to lead the sons of Adam astray wherever they may be. He planned to continue his efforts to trouble and tempt Ayyub through the destruction of his family which was living in harmony, peace and mutual love and respect.
Iblis came again before the Lord and asked permission to continue his efforts to test Ayyub. He said to the Lord: "O Lord, Ayyub was not taken in by my incitement and his faith and belief in You have not wavered at all even though he has lost all his wealth and returned to living poor and miserable because he still has capable sons on whom he can rely to restore all that is lost and who are his support and hope in his old age."
In my estimation, Ayyub will not endure if the calamity that has struck his wealth also strikes his family, especially since he loves and cherishes them dearly, so allow me to test his patience and steadfastness this time through the temptation I will inflict on his family and sons whom he loves and cherishes very much."
The Trial of Prophet Ayyub
Allah granted Iblis's request and said: "I allow you to test once more Ayyub's heart full of faith, trust and patience in another way, but know that you will not succeed in achieving your goal of weakening Ayyub's faith and undermining his trust in Me."
Iblis then departed with his assistants to the residence of Ayyub's sons in a building full of luxuries and grandeur, and shook the building until it collapsed and buried all its inhabitants.
Then Iblis quickly went to visit Ayyub at his home, disguised as one of Ayyub's friends, who came to offer condolences and express sorrow over the calamity that had befallen his sons. He said to Ayyub in his condolences: "O Ayyub, have you seen your sons who are dead buried under the ruins of the collapsed building from the earthquake? I think, O Ayyub, that the Lord does not accept your worship until now and does not protect you in return for your righteous deeds and your bowing and prostration day and night."
Hearing Iblis's words, Ayyub wept with sobs while saying: "Allah is the One who gives and He is the One who takes back. All praise be to Him, the Lord who is the Greatest Giver and the Greatest Taker."
The Trial of Prophet Ayyub
Iblis left Ayyub in a state of bowing in supplication, feeling angry and upset at himself for having failed for the second time to persuade and incite Ayyub. He went before the Lord and said: "O Lord, Ayyub has lost all his wealth and all his riches and today he is left by his sons who are dead crushed under the ruins of the building that we have destroyed, yet he still remains mentally strong and healthy."
He only weeps with sobs, but his heart, his soul, his faith and his trust in You are not shaken at all. Allow me to test him this time by disturbing his physical health and strength, because if he falls ill and his strength becomes paralyzed, surely he will begin to neglect his worship and over time will abandon his duties to You and his faith and belief will fade."
Allah continues to counter Iblis that he will not succeed in his efforts to tempt Ayyub no matter how great the calamity inflicted upon him and no matter how heavy the trials he experiences. For Allah has ordained him to be an example of patience, steadfastness of faith and perseverance in worship to His servants. Allah said to Iblis: "You may try again in your efforts to disturb Ayyub's physical health and strength. I will see how skilled you are in troubling this chosen servant of Mine."
The Trial of Prophet Ayyub
Iblis then ordered his subordinates to sow disease-causing bacilli into Ayyub's body. The bacilli that were sown immediately destroyed Ayyub's health, causing him to suffer from various diseases, high fever, cough and others, so that his body became increasingly thin, his strength weak and his face became pale and bloodless and his skin became spotted.
He was finally shunned by the people of his village and by his close friends, because Ayyub's illness could be transmitted quickly to those who touched him or came near him. He became isolated from the company of people in his place and only his wife remained by his side, caring for him with patience and affection, serving all his needs without complaining or showing any sign of displeasure at her husband's illness that showed no signs of healing.
Iblis watched Ayyub in that very severe state not abandoning his habits, his worship, his remembrance, he does not complain, he does not grieve, he only calls upon Allah seeking His forgiveness and protection when he feels pain. Iblis felt annoyed and irritated watching Ayyub's forbearance in bearing suffering and his patience in accepting various calamities and trials. Iblis was at his wit's end, not knowing what else to do to achieve his goal of corrupting Ayyub's belief and faith.
He then asked for help from the thinking of his assistants and helpers, what else should be done to lead Ayyub astray after all his efforts have failed to reach his goal.
They asked him: "Where is your skill and powerful cunning and your cleverness in spreading doubt and suspicion in the hearts of men which is usually never futile?" Another helper said: "You have succeeded in driving Adam out of paradise, how did you accomplish all that until you achieved your goal?"
"By seducing his wife," Iblis replied. "If that is so," said the Shaytan again, "then carry out that strategy and apply it to Ayyub, blow your poison into the ear of his wife who appears to be somewhat upset in caring for him, yet still remains obedient and faithful."
"You are right and your thought is correct," said Iblis, "That is the only one thing I have not yet tried. Surely this time by inciting his wife, I will succeed in carrying out my purpose all this time."
With his new plan, Iblis went to visit Ayyub's wife, disguised as a male friend who was close to her husband. He said to Ayyub's wife: "How are you and how is your husband doing at this time?"
The Trial of Prophet Ayyub
Pointing her finger toward her husband, Ayyub's wife said to Iblis, her guest: "There he is lying in pain, but his mouth does not cease to remember Allah. He is still in a severe state, neither dead nor alive."
Ayyub's wife's words kindled hope in Iblis that he would succeed this time, so he reminded Ayyub's wife of her youth when she lived with her husband in good health, happy and prosperous and brought back memories and affection.
Then Iblis left Ayyub's house leaving Ayyub's wife sitting pensively alone, remembering her past, the days of her husband's glory and the prosperity of her life, comparing it with the time when she experienced various suffering and calamities, which began with the destruction of wealth and possessions, followed by the death of her son, and then finally followed by her husband's severe illness which was very tiring. Ayyub's wife felt lonely being in the house alone with her sick husband, no friend, no relative, no companion, no confidant, everyone avoided them because they feared contracting Ayyub's contagious skin disease which was disgusting.
Taking a long breath, Ayyub's wife came close to her suffering husband and whispered to him saying: "My beloved, how long will you be tortured by your Lord? Where is your wealth, your sons, your friends and your closest companions?"
"Oh, how beautiful were our past days, our youth, our healthy bodies, the means of happiness and well-being in life were available surrounded by family, and would the sweet days return? Please ask your Lord, O Ayyub, to free us from all these prolonged sufferings and calamities."
Ayyub answered his wife's complaint: "O my beloved wife, you are mourning the happiness and well-being of the past, mourning our children who have died taken by Allah and you ask me to beg Allah to free us from the misery and suffering we are experiencing now. I want to ask you, how long did we not enjoy that luxurious, prosperous and comfortable life?" "Eighty years," answered Ayyub's wife. "Then how long have we lived in this suffering?" asked Ayyub again. "Seven years," answered his wife.
"I am ashamed," Ayyub continued his reply, "to ask Allah to free us from the misery and suffering we have experienced which is still not as long as the period of glory that Allah has bestowed upon us. I think you have been taken in by the temptation and persuasion of Shaytan, so your faith has begun to weaken and you are unhappy accepting the decree and judgment of Allah. Wait for your reward later when I have healed from my illness and my body's strength is restored. I will strike you a hundred times. And from this moment I forbid myself to eat or drink from your hand or ask you to do anything for me. Leave me alone in this place until Allah determines His decree."
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