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How ill did Nabi Ayyub (‘alayhis salam) become?

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by HadithAnswers.com

Is this proven or is it an Israeli (ancient historical) narration that Nabi Ayub (‘alayhis salam) due to his sickness was afflicted in such a bad condition that his people abandoned him, and that there were insects coming out of his body?

Answer

This claim regarding the illness of Nabi Ayyub (‘alayhis salam) is unfortunately quite widespread, but incorrect. It is not found in the noble Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam)

These are allegations made by the Jews (in what is commonly referred to as: ‘Israely narrations’)

All we know, and accept is that Nabi Ayyub (‘alayhis salam) was greatly tested by Allah Ta’ala through illness and in other ways.

It is the belief of the Ahlus Sunnah that Allah Ta’ala protects his Prophets from sins as well as any such quality that creates hatred for an individual in the hearts of others.

(Al-Musayarah, ma’al Musamarah, pg.191)

In light of this fundamental belief, it is impossible for a Prophet to be inflicted with such a disease because of which he is shunned and removed from the town.

Several reliable commentators of the Quran (Mufassirun) have refuted the claims made by the Jews (in the ‘israeli’/ historical reports) concerning the illness of Nabi Ayyub (‘alayhis salam), which allege that he had worms coming out of every part of his body etc.

There is no substantiation for this in the sacred texts of our shari’ah. In fact, these allegations go against our core beliefs, as explained above.

One should never say such things about the chosen slaves of Allah Ta’ala; i.e, the Prophets (‘alayhimus salam)

Quotations from the Scholars

1. Ibnul ‘Arabi (rahimahullah) says: “… don’t even look at these claims, or even lend an ear to them, for they will cause doubt and confusion…”

(Tafsir Qurtubi, Surah Sad, Ayah: 41; vol.8 pg.179- Darul Hadith edition)

2. Moulana Shabbir Ahmad ‘Uthmani (rahimahullah) writes: “The storytellers have exaggerated the incident of Nabi Ayyub (‘alayhis salam)

(Tafsir ‘Uthmani, Surah Sad, Ayah: 41)

3. Moulana Idris Kandehlawi (rahimahullah) has also refuted these allegations in light of the belief of the Prophets been divinely protected by Allah from such despicable conditions/qualities.

(Ma’ariful Quran of Ml Idris, Surah Sad, Ayah: 41, vol.7 pg.43)

4. Shaykh Muhammad Abu Shahbah (rahimahullah) – an Egyptian scholar of the recent past- has also vehemently refuted these false claims. (Al-Israiliyat wal mawdu’at fi kutubit tafsir, pg.270.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar

This answer was collected from HadithAnswers.com. The answers were either answered or checked by Moulana Haroon Abasoomar (rahimahullah) who was a Shaykhul Hadith in South Africa, or by his son, Moulana Muhammad Abasoomer (hafizahullah), who is a Hadith specialist. 

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