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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.
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.
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)
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 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)
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.
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.
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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