JOB

Ar: Ayub, Heb: 'Iyowb ().

In the Bible, Job was afflicted with loss of family members and diseases. His wife even told him to curse God and then die, but Job's faith stayed firm (Job 2:9-10). His friends came to comfort him, and at the same time, using their own limited understanding, accused Job of sinning, which is why calamity befell him. In the discourses with his friends, Job made clear that he wanted to see God and asked why these were happening to him. God finally spoke to Job and asked him:

> Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?" (Job 37:2)

Job finally recognizes his smallness and longer needed any explanation and realized his folly:

> Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.... My ears have heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:3b,5-6)

Before this encounter, Job was just a faithful servant, observing very carefully many rituals and careful not to sin against God, and if there was any sin, even unintentionally, he was quick to offer sacrifices to atone for his and his family's sins. The calamity however finally brought Job to a close, personal relationship with God.

In the Qur'an, it was not described Job's situation. Sad 38:41-43 seemed to suggest Job's affliction had to do with not having water.

- an-Nisa' 4:163; al-An`am 6:84; al-Anbiya' 21:83; Sad 38:41-43

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