Ayyûb (peace be upon him) is named four times in the Qur'an, each time among the prophets.
Indeed, We have revealed to you as We revealed to Nûh and the prophets after him…
…and to 'Îsâ, Ayyûb, Yûnus, Hârûn and Sulaymân.
In Sûrat al-An'âm, he is counted among the descendants of a prophet: Ibrâhîm or Nûh, the commentators differ.
What did he own before the trial? The Qur'an gives no list. It only says his family was given back to him.
The commentators report great wealth: livestock, crops, fine houses, and many children.
On his origin, the accounts differ: a descendant of Ibrâhîm for most, of Roman origin for others.
Then everything was tested: his wealth, then his children, then his own body.
The Qur'an does not name his illness. It keeps only his words: “Harm has touched me.”
The vivid descriptions of his wounds that you may hear come from accounts, not from the text.
Why would Allah test someone He loves? A man once asked the Prophet ﷺ who is tested most severely.
He answered: “The prophets, then those nearest to them, then those nearest to them.”
“A man is tried according to his religion. If his religion is firm, his trial is more severe.”
The hadith ends: the trial stays with the servant until he walks on the earth with no sin left on him.
As mercy from Us, and a reminder for the worshippers.
Ibn Kathîr explains: so that the one who is tried never thinks Allah has stopped caring for him.
His story closes on a praise few receive: “What an excellent servant.” This book will show why.
But first come the long years. That is the next chapter.
A man has wealth, children and health. Then, one after another, they are taken from him.
If that man is a prophet, what does it say about your own trials?
Ayyûb was tried because he was close to Allah, not because he was far.
Tonight, name a trial you carry and tell yourself: this is not a sign that Allah has left me.