PATIENCE, A MATTER OF WISDOM

Hopeful Not Hopeless

THE Prophet Ayyub (Job) described in the Quran in brief, and in the Bible in detail, was born several hundred years before Jesus Christ. In the Bible, his place of birth is called Uz, the plains stretching from Syria to Palestine.

'According to the Bible he possessed seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred she-asses, and a very great household; he was the greatest of all the men of the East.

Misfortune later befell him leaving him impoverished, yet Job was the epitome of patience. In the words of the Bible, “...Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped. And said, ‘Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return to thither: the Lord gave, and Lord hath taken; blessed be the name of the Lord’.” (JOB 1: 20-21)

Then again circumstances changed and Job regained wealth and resources, more than he had before. According to the Bible, “The Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand she-asses.” (JOB 42: 12)

The Quran ended the tale with “We restored to him his people and as many more with them: a blessing from Us and as a reminder to all those who are endowed with insight.” (38: 43)

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God, being Allmerciful, has devised the system of this world in such a way that here no loss or deprival is final.

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Although given very brief mention in the Qur’an, this incident is important and enlightening. Never despair when afflicted by misfortune or loss in life. God, the All-merciful, has devised a system where no loss or deprival is final. One can always overcome misfortunes and regain losses provided one remains patient and perseveres in one’s struggles, without losing hope of God’s succour.