He lost his health and his family, and his prayer still did not contain a single complaint.
أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
His story
Ayyub was tested with illness and loss. Listen to how he asked for help: "Harm has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful" 21:83. He described his pain, and described his Lord, and did not demand anything.
Allah answered. He was told to strike the ground with his foot, and a spring came out to wash in and drink from 38:42. His family was given back to him, and as many again with them 21:84.
Allah's verdict on him: "We found him patient. An excellent servant. He was always turning back to Us" 38:44.
Moments
- 01
His prayer
Ayyub was touched by harm and loss, and called his Lord: "Harm has touched me, and You are the most merciful of the merciful." He did not demand. He described his pain and named Allah's mercy in the same breath. Allah answered him, removed his harm, and gave him back his family and as many again with them.
- 02
The spring
Allah told him: "Strike the ground with your foot. Here is cool water to wash with, and to drink." A spring burst from the ground where he stood. His healing was mercy from Allah, "and a reminder for people of understanding."
What he did when…
Long illness and loss, and his prayer was one sentence: "Harm has touched me, and You are the most merciful of the merciful." He named his pain honestly to Allah, and named Allah's mercy in the same breath. He did not stop believing in mercy because he was hurting.
Ayyub lost nearly everything, and Allah returned it with more: his family "and as many again with them, as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers." His story is told so that people who have lost everything know the story is not over.
His words, for you to keep
أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ
If your child carries this name
أيوب Ayyub
Ayyub is the name of patience itself. It is a strong name for a child who will one day face hard days.
Sources on this page
Quran 21:83Quran 21:83-84Quran 21:84Quran 38:41-43Quran 38:43
Quran meanings are given in plain English, close to the Arabic. Hadith numbers follow sunnah.com.