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828 It is a wicked generation that asks for Signs and Miracles. Usually they are not vouchsafed. But where they are, the
responsibility of those who ask for them is increased. If, after that, they reject faith, invent lies, and go after false gods
or false ideals, their penalty will be worse than that of other people. How this works out practically among those who
call themselves Christians is exemplified in such books as the late Mr. W.T. Stead's "If Christ Came to Chicago?"
(5.115)
See 4:159.160.161.; 5:117.118.119. 19:33; 57:27; 61:14 etc.
JOB:
See 6:84; 21:83; 38:41-44 etc.
6:84 - We gave him Isaac and Jacob: all (three) We guided: and before him We guided Noah and
before him We guided Noah and among his progeny David Solomon Job Joseph Moses and
Aaron: thus do We reward those who do good: 903904
903 We have now a list of eighteen Apostles in four groups, covering the great Teachers accepted among the three great
religions based on Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. The first group to be mentioned is that of Abraham, his son Issac,
and Isaac's son Jacob. Abraham was the first to have a Book. His Book is mentioned in Q. lxxxvii. 19, though it is now
lost. They were therefore the first to receive Guidance in the sense of a Book. (6.84)
904 In the second group, we have the great founders of families, apart from Abraham, viz., Noah of the time of the Flood;
David and Solomon, the real establishers of the Jewish monarchy; Job, who lived 140 years, saw four generations of
descendants, and was blessed at the end of his life with large pastoral wealth (Job xlii. 16,12); Joseph, who as
Minister of State did great things in Egypt and ws the progenitor of two Tribes; and Moses and Aaron, the leaders of
the Exodus from Egypt. They led active lives and called "doers of good." (6.84)
21:83 - And (remember) Job when he cried to his Lord "Truly distress has seized me but Thou art
the Most Merciful of those that are merciful." 2739
2739 Job (Ayub) was a prosperous man, with faith in Allah, living somewhere in the north-east comer of Arabia. He suffers
from a number of calamities: his cattle are destroyed, his servants slain by the sword, and his family crushed under
his roof. But he holds fast to his faith in Allah. As a further calamity he is covered with loathsome sores from head to
foot. He loses his peace of mind, and he curses the day he was born. His false friends come and attribute his
afflictions to sin. These "Job's comforters" are no comforters at all, and he further loses his balance of mind, but Allah
recalls to him all His mercies, and he resumes his humility and gives up self-justification. He is restored to prosperity,
with twice as much as he had before; his brethren and friends come back to him; he had a new family of seven sons
and three fair daughters. He lived to a good old age, and saw four generations of descendants. All this is recorded in
the Book of Job in the Old Testament. Of all the Hebrew writings, the Hebrew of this Book comes nearest to Arabic.
The account given in the Biblical sources and the image that it projects of Prophet Job is decidedly different from that
found in the Qur-an and the Hadith, which present him as a prophet and brilliant example of dignified patience
becoming of a great Prophet of Allah ever trustful in Him and His promises. Nothing could be farther from truth than
saying that he lost his peace of mind or resorted to curses during the period of his trial. (21.83)
2740 Job is the pattern of humility, patience, and faith in Allah. It was with these weapons that he fought and conquered
evil. (21.84)
38:41 - Commemorate Our servant Job behold he cried to his Lord: "The Evil One has afflicted me
with distress and suffering"! 41984199
38:42 - (The command was given:) "Strike with thy foot: here is (water) wherein to wash cool and
refreshing and (water) to drink." 4200
38:43 - And We gave him (back) his people and doubled their number as a Grace from Ourselves
and a thing for commemoration for all who have Understanding. 4201
38:44 - And take in thy hand a little grass and strike therewith: and break not (thy oath)." Truly We
found him full of patience and constancy: how excellent in Our service! Ever did he turn (to
Us)! 42024203
4199 The distress was of many kinds. See n. 2739 to xxi. 83. He suffered from loathsome sores; he lost his home, his
possessions, and his family; and almost his balance of mind. But he did not lose Faith but turned to Allah (see verse
44 below), and the recuperative process began. (38.41)
4200 The recuperative process having begun, he was commanded to strike the earth or a rock with his foot, and a fountain
or fountains gushed forth,-to give him a bath and clean his body; to refresh his spirits; and to give him drink and rest.
This is a fresh touch, not mentioned in S. xxi. or in the Book of Job, but adding beautifully to our realisation of the
picture. (38.42)
4201 Cf. xxi. 84, and notes 2739-2740. (38.43)
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