Job

  Name Of Job’s father was Amos. Esau Edom son of Isaac and Jac0b’S elder brother was his ancestor. His mother was in the linage of Lut. After his separation with his brother Jacob Esau settled in a valley of Mount Sarata, in the north west of Arabia. According to the historians, soil of this land was red and Edom also meant red, S0 this dwelling was named as Edom. Job lived in Basra, a habitation that still exists in the north of Arabia near Palestine. Holy Prophet (PBUH), during his journey to Syria made his sojourn there.

In Arabic Job is known as Ayub and in Hebrew it is Oab. He was not only a prophet of God but God had made him the chief of his tribe and he enjoyed respect and honor. He had herds of cattle and hundreds of servants with vast lands with orchards and fields.  He was very generous person and used to help the indigent, needy and destitute people.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that he was perfect, and upright and one that feared God and eschewed evil.

(The Book of Job)

His wife Ramah was the daughter of Ephraim son of Joseph. Job was blessed with seven sons and three daughters.

Job preached the teachings of the Religion of Abraham and instructed them to refrain from pagan worship and evil deeds. He taught ' them the difference between good and evil, vice and virtue and told them that which of the acts, God likes and which He does not. He taught the people Of Ed0m ab0ut Oneness of God, the significance of sending prophets, believing the Day of Judgment, Self-realization and Cognition of the Lord God. He was truthful and upright person. He is popular for his extraordinary patience against miseries and gratitude for that which God had blessed him with.

Trick of Satan:

It is said that once angels were expressing their appreciations for Job’s humbleness and obedience. Satan happened to over hear them and he claimed that Job is so because God had blessed him with wealth and riches, health and honor and if God ever touched him with misery he won’t be grateful any longer.

Situation changed, miseries, misfortunes and sufferings started to test his nerves. Storehouses that contained provisions caught fire and with that everything turned into ashes. Invaders attacked him and his servants were slain and his cattle were driven away. His sons and daughters were enjoying a banquet when the roof collapsed and they all died there. Within hours he was practically left with nothing. People would come and tell him one after the other disaster but he did not frown even. People associated with him had no nerves to see him in that inflicted state. He prostrated before his Lord and praised Him.

He said, “ I was born naked and would leave the world naked. God had given all this to me and He had taken his belongings.

Patience and gratitude:

            Although he was deprived of every belonging, which he had, the test had hardly begun. Painful boils covered him from his toe to crown. He scratched himself with a potsherd and he sat down in the ashes to comfort himself. All his kiths and kin turned away from him only his wife stood with him in that hour of difficulty and she looked after him in every possible manner. She started working as maidservant and earned bread for him and herself. In that state of pain and anguish he spent eighteen years.

Once his wife complained and said such a thing, which he didn’t like and vowed that he would punish her with one hundred lashes, whenever he would recover. God forgave his wife and when he got well, God told him to have a broom of hundred sticks and smite her with that, thus God arranged for him to fulfill his vow.

According to Old Testament when the news of Job’s disaster reached his three friends, they came and seeing him in such an anguished misery, they were unable to speak and they sat with him for seven days and seven nights silently.

Quran has mentioned his last period of trial in these words:

Commemorate Our Servant Job. Behold he cried to his Lord:

"The Evil One has afflicted me with distress and suffering! " 

 The command was given: "Strike with thy foot: here is water wherein to wash, cool and refreshing, and water to drink."

 (S: 38,V: 41-42)

He hit the ground with his foot and water gushed out from the earth. Job bathed and drank from that spring. Within minutes he was cured of boils and was healthier than before even. In the evening when his wife returned and did not see her weak and sick husband, where she had left him, she got worried and asked that healthy man of prime age, sitting there, about her husband. He smilingly told her that he was her husband and that now God had blessed him with health and cured from his protracted disease.

God blessed them both with youthfulness and they had children more than before and gave him all those comfort, which he had before entering into the trial, many folds more than ever before. A brief account of the holy Quran in these words:

And remember Job, when He cried to his Lord, "Truly distress has seized me, but Thou art the Most Merciful of those that are merciful.” So We listened to him: We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his people to him, and doubled their number, as a Grace from Ourselves, and a thing for commemoration, for all who serve Us.

(S:21, V: 82-84)

Youth Giving Water:

The spring (well), which water healed Job still exists in the town of Nova in Jordan, and is known as the Job’s Salon. The place where Job used to live is now called ‘Job’s Place.’

            Job’s story has been related in  It was God’s will that a spring gushed for His servant and its water contains such minerals that transformed the old age into youth. That water made Job and his wife so young that they lived to see their four generations.

Say: ”O ye my servants who believe! Fear your Lord, good is the Reward for those who do good in this world. Spacious is God ’s earth! Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!” Say: ”Verily, I am commanded to serve God with sincere devotion.

(S: 39,V: 10-11)

Patience is the Light of God:

            Patience is the Light of God that fills the material senses with such effulgence, which brings a person closer to the Lord God. Actual meanings of exercising patience are to leave the results of one’s endeavors and struggles upon God. After negating one’s will, one should acknowledge his Lord God as the Omnipotent and should wait patiently for fulfillment of God’s Will and Decision in the delay or failure of one’s plans. The entire system that is activated by exercising patience is to mold a person’s mind into a mind of obedience and submission to the holy Will of God. Patience enables a person to experience one’s helplessness and powerlessness before one’s Lord Creator. Certain measures of Nooric lights enter in that person who exercises patience. When a person becomes habitual of being patient every difficulty turns out to be easiness and one becomes connected with his Lord Creator God. Such are the people whom God calls the steadfast and persevering.

            God tells the Holy Prophet (PBUH), “Be patient, just as the steadfast prophets were."

Patience enables a person to be steadfast and persevering, who is a quality of the prophets of God and it helps in learning the ways of life. It is that force, which carries a person from the lowest state to the most transcendental and exalted stage know as Illieen.

Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.

(S: 2, V: 155)

Not so do those who show patience and constancy, and work righteousness; for them is forgiveness of sins and a great reward.

(S: 11,V: 11)

Seek God's help with patient perseverance and prayer: It is indeed hard, except to those who bring a lowly spirit, who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that they are to return to Him.

(5: 2,V: 45-46)

Who say, when afflicted with calamity: ”To God We belong, and to Him is our return”.

(S: 2, V: 156)

And We appointed, from among them, leaders, giving guidance under Our command, so long as they persevered with patience and continued to have faith in our signs.

(S: 32,V: 24)

Say: “O ye my servants who believe! Fear your Lord, good is the reward for those who do good in this world. Spacious is God 's earth! Those who patiently persevere will truly receive a reward without measure!"

(S: 39,V: 10)

Twice will they be given their reward for that they have persevered, that they avert Evil with Good, and that they spend (in charity) out of what We have given them.

(S: 28,V: 54)

Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and ye shall certainly hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if ye persevere patiently and guard against evil, then that will be a determining factor in all affairs. 

(S: 3,V: 186)

            God is with those who steadfastly persevere.

(S: 2,V: 249)

 ’’Our Lord! Pour out constancy on us and make our steps firm: Help us against those that reject faith.”

  (S: 2,V: 250)

If aught that is good befalls you, it grieves them; but if some misfortune overtakes you, they rejoice at it. But if ye are constant and do right, not the least harm will their cunning do to you; for God Compasses round about all that they do.

(S: 3,V: 120)

O ye who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer, for God is with those who patiently persevere. 

   (S: 2,V: 153)

How many of the prophets fought in God ’s way, and with them fought large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in God ’s way, nor did they weaken in will nor give in. And God loves those who are firm and steadfast. 

     (S: 3,V: 146)

Remember thou telling to the Faithful: ”Is it not enough for you that God should help you with three thousand angels Specially sent down? ”Yea, if ye remain firm, and act aright, even if the enemy should rush here on you in hot haste, your Lord would help you with five thousand angels making a terrific onslaught

(S: 3,V: 124-125)

But those who believe and work deeds of righteousness – to them shall We give a Home in Heaven, lofty mansions beneath which flow rivers, to dwell therein for aye; an excellent reward for those who do good, those who persevere in patience and put their trust, in their Lord and Cherisher.

(S: 29,V: 58-59)

And obey God and His Messenger and fall into no disputes, lest ye lose heart and your power depart; and be patient and persevering: For God is with those who patiently persevere. 

                                                (S: 8,V: 46)

And be steadfast in patience; for verily God will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.

(S: 11,v: 115)

But verily thy Lord, to those who leave their homes after trials and persecutions, and who thereafter strive and fight for the faith and patiently persevere, Thy Lord, after all this is oft- forgiving, Most Merciful.

 (S: 16,V: 110)

Therefore patiently persevere, as did all apostles of inflexible purpose," and be in no haste about the Unbelievers.

(S: 46,V: 35)

And (remember) Ishmael, Idrees, and Zulkifl, all (men) of constancy and patience; We admitted them to Our mercy: for they were of the righteous ones.

 (S: 21,V: 85-86)

Then when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!"' (The Son) said: “O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if God so wills one practicing Patience and Constancy!

                                                            (S: 37,V: 102)

We (once) sent Noah to his People, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty: but the Deluge overwhelmed them while they (persisted in) sin.

(S: 29,V: 14)

They said: "O our father! We went racing with one another, and left Joseph with our things; and the wolf devoured him.... But thou will never believe us even though we tell the truth." They stained his shirt with false blood. He said: ”Nay, but your minds have made up a tale (that may pass) with you, (for me) patience is most fitting: Against that which ye assert, it is God alone whose help can be sought”.

(S:12, V: 17-18)

"Turn ye back to your father, and say, 'O our father! Behold! Thy son committed theft! We bear witness only to what we know, and we could not well guard against the unseen! “Ask at the town where We have been and the caravan in which We returned, and (you will find) we are indeed telling the truth. "’ Jacob said: ”Nay, but ye have yourselves contrived a story good enough) for you. So patience is most fitting (for me). Maybe God will bring them (back) all to me (in the end). For He is indeed full of knowledge and wisdom.” And he turned away from them, and said: "How great is my grief for Joseph!” And his eyes became white with sorrow, and he fell into silent melancholy. They said: "By God. Never wilt thou cease to remember Joseph until thou reach the last extremity of illness, or until thou die!” He said: ”I only complain of my distraction and anguish to God and I know from God that which ye know not...”O my sons! go ye and enquire about Joseph and his brother, and never give up hope of God’s Soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of God ’s Soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith. "

(S: 12, V: 81-87)

Commemorate Our Servant Job. Behold he cried to his Lord: "The Evil One has afflicted me with distress and suffering!" The command was given: "Strike with thy foot: here is (water) wherein to wash, cool and refreshing, and (water) to drink.” And gave him (back) his People, and doubled their number, as a grace from ourselves and a thing for commemoration, for all who have Understanding. "And take in thy hand a little grass, and strike therewith: and break not (thy oath). " Truly We found him full of patience and constancy. How excellent in our service! Ever did he turn (to Us)!

(S: 38,V: 41-44)

             And (remember) Job, when He cried to his Lord, "Truly distress has seized me, but Thou art the Most Merciful of those that are merciful.” So We listened to him: We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his people to him, and doubled their number,- as a Grace from Ourselves and a thing for commemoration, for all who serve Us.

(S: 21,V: 83-84)

Point to note:

            In the story of Job, it has been elaborated that Job exercised patience for the sake of God and patience is the way of life and the chief component of the thinking pattern of the prophets of God. It is the quality of the prophets of God that they exercise  - patience when they suffer pain and anguish and consider that God is their companion. In trial they keep an eye upon the exigencies of God. They feel gratitude for the favors that God has blessed them with. They associate their wealth and every state they are in, with God.

Wisdom and prudence can be seen in Job’s living through those hardships and sufferings. It has been established in this story that when a person develops complete dependency upon God and his faith is perfected then he does not utter a word of complain. God, by giving the examples of Ishmael, ldrees, Zulkifl, Noah, Jacob and Job, tells His Beloved Prophet (PBUH) to be patient and persevere just as the‘ steadfast prophets did.

God telling those men and women, who believe in Him and have faith, says:

Those who believe and are righteous in their deeds, shall abode in the high places of the Paradise, underneath would be flowing brooks. What a good reward of the good deeds of those who persevered and trusted upon their Lord God only.

Meanings of Patience:

In Arabic Sabar (Patience) means to withstand and forebear. Each and every dictum of God, basically, is a program to acquaint man with his inner nature and instinct. God has hinted the human weaknesses, for instance, he is disobedient, has hasty temperament, is quarrelsome, has weaknesses, is ignorant, cruel and transgressor. Basis of the weaknesses, from which no one is free, is ignorance, frailty of the Conscious and the attraction of the glitter of the world.

Ignorance purports to nescience whereas the whole life is nothing but knowledge, which is provided to us in the form of continuously pouring in information. Information and knowledge are perpetual movement; and the Movement is the Will of God. And the Will of God is that when He intends a thing, He commands it, ‘to be!’ and there ‘it is.’ Will is the behest and the very behest is the sovereignty, which means that one may do what one wishes, as when and where.

God is Sovereign:

Sovereignty means that not even a single moment is out of One’s reach and everything is possible for Him. All those information that transform into feelings, sensations, sentiments and emotions, manifest them as such after passing through various steps of creation.

            It is an established reality that a body of lights known as astral body surrounds the physical body of man. This very body of lights feeds the physical body and when feeding of the body of lights comes to an end, physical body perishes and is known as dead body. Since the creative process depends entirely upon the body of lights, therefore the astral body remains fully aware of the record of the past, present and future. Having the knowledge of this record, this body of lights keeps on inspiring patience and perseverance upon the human conscious and keeps on telling it that this hardship is temporary and is sure to pass. This understanding gives courage and strength to man t: face the challenging difficulty and helps in having determination Worries disturb the balance of these lights and patience helps in maintaining this balance in them.

Job was a great prophet of God, through his experience, God gives us this message that God is with those who persevere and have patience. And, when a person after having patience believes wholeheartedly that God is the One who loves him and is his real well wisher, then God opens up doors of comfort and ease and provides him such means that give him happiness and delights. Just as God provided Job with a spring of health giving water and both the husband and wife became young and lived to see their four generations grow before their eyes.

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