Allah told Iblis that Ayoub (A)
was one of His most sincere devotees whose worship stemmed from his heart and
had nothing to do with material gifts or favors granted to him. To prove His
devotee’s depth of sincerity and patience, Allah allowed Iblis to do whatever he
wished with Ayoub (A)’s wealth.
Delighted, Iblis gathered his helpers and set about destroying Ayoub (A)’s
cattle, servants and farms, depriving him of all his possessions. Then in the
guise of a wise old man he approached him and said:
"All your wealth is lost. Some people say that it is because you gave too much
charity and that you are wasting your time with your continuous prayers to
Allah. Others say that Allah has brought this upon you in order to please your
enemies. If Allah had the capacity to prevent harm, then He would have protected
your wealth."
Steadfast in his faith, Ayoub (A) replied: "What Allah has taken away from me
belongs to Him. I was only its trustee for a while. He gives to whom He wills
and withholds from whom He wills,” and he prostrated before his Lord.
Frustrated with his failure, Iblis again addressed Allah:
"I have stripped Ayoub (A) of all his possessions, but he still remains grateful
to You. However, he is only hiding his disappointment, for he places great store
by his many children. The real test of a parent is through his children. You
will then see how Ayoub (A) will reject You."
Allah again granted Iblis authority, but warned him that it would reduce neither
Ayoub (A)’s faith in his Lord nor his patience.
Iblis gathered his helpers and brought the house in which Ayoub (A)’s children
were living, crashing down, killing all of them. Disguised as a man who had come
to sympathize with him, he said:
"The circumstances under which your children died were sad. Surely, your Lord is
not rewarding you properly for all your prayers."
The faithful believer of Allah replied, disappointing Iblis once again:
"Allah sometimes gives and sometimes takes. He is sometimes pleased and
sometimes displeased with our deeds. Whether a thing is beneficial or harmful to
me, I will remain firm in my belief and remain thankful to my Creator."
Saying this he prostrated to his Lord. Extremely vexed, Iblis again called on
Allah:
"O my Lord, Ayoub (A)’s wealth is gone and his children are dead, but he is
still healthy in body, and as long as he enjoys good health he will continue to
worship You in the hope of regaining his wealth and producing more children.
Grant me authority over his body so that I may weaken it. He will surely stop
worshipping You and will thus become disobedient."
Allah granted Iblis his third request but placed a condition:
"I give you authority over his body but not over his soul, intellect, or heart,
for in these places reside the knowledge of Me and My religion."
Armed with this new authority, Iblis afflicted Ayoub (A)’s body with disease,
reducing it to mere skin and bone. He suffered severe pain yet remained strong
in faith, and patiently bore all the suffering without complaints. Hopeful of
Allah’s Mercy, he neither despaired nor turned to others for help. Although he
had lost all his children and was deprived of his wealth and physically
afflicted, he still continued to glorify Allah the Almighty day and night. His
disease lasted for a long time. His friends felt disgusted and his close
relatives deserted him. The sole companion and comforter through many years of
his suffering was his kind and loving wife.