Allah had given Nabi Ayyub (May Allah Mercy upon him) many sons. He loved them very much. Nabi Ayyub (A)  always praised Allah for giving him many sons.

Allah SWT had given him a big house, orchards of fruit trees, and gardens of flowers and vegetables. Nabi Ayyub (A)  always praised Allah for the wealth given to him.

Allah SWT had given him many animals; goats, cows, sheep, chickens and camels. He also had many servants. Nabi Ayyub (A)  and his family had been blessed with a happy and comfortable life. Nabi Ayyub (A)  always praised Allah for the comforts, food and property given to him.

One day Allah tested Nabi Ayyub (A). His animals, orchards, gardens and big house were all destroyed. All his sons died. His servants were killed and he became very, very ill. He was so ill that his whole body was covered with sores and scars that left lone him. All his friends and relatives stopped visiting him.

How did Nabi Ayyub (A) feel when all these things happened to him? Did he feel angry or upset? No, he was just very sad.

Did he blame anyone for his tragedies? No, he was just very sad. He remained calm and controlled.

How did he remain calm and controlled?

It is because he knew that all that he had enjoyed, wealth, sons and family had been a blessing from Allah and belonged to Him. So when Allah took it all back, Nabi Ayyub (A)  knew that it had been taken back for a good reason.

When his all sons died, Nabi Ayyub (A)  did not become angry. He just thanked Allah SWT for having been blessed with the opportunity to be the father of so many good sons. He prayed for his sons.

He lived with this disease for many years and never lost faith in Allah. One day his wife said, "Why does Allah SWT punish us like this?"

Nabi Ayyub(A)  got very angry with his wife for complaining. Finally Nabi Ayyub (A) pray to Allah.

And when he pray to his Lord: "Verily distress has seized me, and You are the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy".

Allah answered his call; removed his distress that was on him and restored his family to him, as a Mercy from Him [Ŝurat 21:84]

So Allah SWT was testing Nabi Ayyub(a). Nabi Ayyub(a)  remained patient through his trial and he sought Allah's forgiveness. Finally, Allah answered his prayer and showed Mercy to him.

So when we are faced with difficulties, we should also pray to Allah so that he helps us to be patient through our trial and we should seek His Mercy to remove the difficulty from us.

Allah has said in the Qur'an [Ŝurat Al Baqarah 2: 155] that:

“We will definitely test you with some fear, some hunger and some loss in your wealth, in your health and in the fruits [of your toil]. Give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere.

Or think you that you will enter paradise without such [trials] as came to those who passed away before you?

They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him

"When will come the help of Allah ?"
“Yes! Certainly, the help of Allah is near" (Ŝurat Al Baqarah 2:214).

May Allah make it easy for the Ummah;

May He remove our distress and difficulties;

May we remain patient;