In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Beneficent
And remember Job, when he cried out to his Lord: “Affliction has befallen me, but of all those that show mercy You are the most merciful.”
We responded to him and relieved all the affliction he suffered. We restored to him his family and as many more with them, as an act of grace from Ourself, and as a reminder to all who worship Us.
And remember Ishmael, Idris and Dhul-Kifl: They all were men of constancy and patience. We admitted them to Our grace, for they were among the righteous.
(The Prophets: 21: 83-86)
We saw last week that two prophets were tested with power and affluence. David and Solomon were kings, in addition to their being prophets. They mustered power which was tamed by the wisdom and the knowledge imparted to them by God as aspects of His blessings. Now the surah gives us a different example, with Prophet Job, (peace be upon him), being tested with hardship.
The story of Job is one of the finest that centers on a test. Qur’anic texts mentioning Job only speak in general terms, giving a few details. In this particular instance, the surah mentions Job’s supplication and God’s response, because the overall atmosphere of the surah is one of grace bestowed from on high on his prophets and the care He takes of them when they are subjected to a test and go through it. This applies in all test situations, including rejection by their peoples, as in the case of Abraham, Lot and Noah, power and wealth as in the case of David and Solomon, or hardship, as in Job’s case.
Job’s prayer, as mentioned here, does not go beyond describing his condition and emphasizing God’s attributes: “And remember Job, when he cried out to his Lord: ‘Affliction has befallen me, but of all those that show mercy You are the most merciful.’” He does not appeal for a change of his condition, because he wants to remain patient in adversity. Nor does he suggest anything to his Lord, adopting an attitude of perfect humility in front of God. Thus, he is a model servant of God: Showing no panic in a situation of adversity, and expressing no frustration at the hardship he had to endure. Indeed, his is considered as a test of the highest severity in all generations. He is reluctant even to pray to God to lift his hardship. Therefore, he leaves the matter entirely to God, knowing that He knows his situation and does not need his prayer.
At the moment Job addressed his Lord with such confidence and humility, his prayer was answered and God’s grace was bestowed on him in abundance. His test was over: “We responded to him and relieved all the affliction he suffered. We restored to him his family and as many more with them.” His personal affliction was removed, and his health restored. This indicates complete recovery, leaving no trace of his illness. The other form of affliction, which concerned his family, was also lifted. God compensated him for the one he had lost and gave him twice as many. It is said that he had lost his children, and God gave him twice their number, or He might have given him new children and grandchildren.
All this was as “an act of grace from Ourself,” because every blessing is an act of God’s grace. It was also “a reminder to all who worship Us.” It reminds them of God and the tests He may put us through, and of His grace that will not fail to come after the hardship. The test to which Job was put provides an example for all mankind, and his patient endurance sets a model for all to follow.
The reference to those “who worship Us” within the context of hard tests is very significant. Such worshipers may be subjected to tests and hardship. To endure with patience is a requirement of faith and worship.
The whole matter is very serious. Faith is a trust which is given only to those who are able to shoulder its responsibility and endure its hardship. It is not mere words, carelessly uttered by anyone
The surah then refers very briefly to three other prophets: “And remember Ishmael, Idris and Dhul-Kifl: They all were men of constancy and patience. We admitted them to Our grace, for they were among the righteous.” Again with all three the quality of patience in adversity is highlighted. Ishmael showed his patience when he was required to submit himself for sacrifice, and he duly did so, saying to his father, Abraham: “Father, do as you are bidden. You will find me, if God so wills, among those who are patient in adversity.” (37: 102)
As for Idris, we said earlier that we know nothing about his time or where he lived. Some people suggest that he was Osiris, whom the Egyptians worshipped and about whom they invented some legends after his death. He is said to have been the first teacher of mankind, as he taught them farming and industry. But we have no evidence to support this. We need only know that he was patient in some good way that merits a record in God’s book.
Dhul-Kifl is also unknown: We cannot determine when or where he lived. Perhaps he was one of the Israelite prophets, or one of their most pious and God-fearing people. It is also said that before one of their prophets died, he guaranteed to him that he would take care of the children of Israel, giving a warrant that he would spend the night in worship, fasts during the day and would not allow anger to take hold of him when ruling in a dispute. He honored all his commitments. It is said that he was called Dhul-Kifl because of that, since his name refers to that. But none of these details is supported by any evidence. The Qur’anic text here is sufficient to credit him with being patient in adversity, a highly rewarding quality.
“We admitted them to Our grace, for they were among the righteous.” This is why they are mentioned in this surah.