To Mum, the Strength of a Woman, and the story of Ayub alayhi salam.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Most Kind

There’s something about a woman, can’t put my finger on it. Something that just…endures. Endures pain, endures the tough times, and endures for others. A pregnant woman, a die-hard mum, a tolerant wife. The pain threshold must be really high. Emotional and physical –wise. I dedicate this to my Mother.

I will never know the pain you suffered through out the years, the emotional rejection for our sake. Toiling day and night for our pleasure, bending for our comfort. When you bore me, the eight hours in that pain and got back the most stubborn child, ungrateful teenager in return and yet you still stayed through the tough years to see me grow. The rudeness, the arguments, the never ending stress caused between mothers and their daughters, is only one I look back in remorse.
Growing now, living now as you did then, I appreciate what you went through. I appreciate what you taught. I appreciate who you are.
This life is short and I can’t help remembering crying at about eight or nine when I asked you and abo will die one day? And you said yes. And I couldn’t believe that there would be life without you. Without your hugs and your reassurance. My head and heart doesn’t let me dwell on that thought for long, I just cannot…They say there’s no love on earth like the love of a mother.
In this difficult time, this time of uncertainty, I only pray I could love you just the same.

The Prophet (peace and blessing be
upon him) instructs us to: “Pray to God for
forgiveness and sound well-being. No
blessing other than faith is better than
well-being."
Sahih Al-Bukhari

Related by Ahmad: Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alayhi wasalam said: "God has not created a disease without creating a cure for it, which may be known to some and unknown to others."

“Rabbu inni massani-yadh-urru wa ‘anta arhamur-Raahimeen"
O my Rabb(Lord, Sustainer, Cherisher, Master), Surely, distress has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of the merciful ones.
-Surah al-Anbiya; 21:83 (Chapter of the Prophets) –what Prophet Ayyub alayhis salam (Job peace be upon him) recited when he was afflicted with various calamities but only displayed patience…

Here is his story…

The Prophet Ayub (peace be upon him) was a prosperous man with firm faith in Allah. He possessed vast farms, enormous wealth, many cattle and valuable property but these things did not make him arrogant. His wealth provided him with a medium by means of which he sought Allah's grace.

The Prophet Ayub (peace be upon him) was a pattern of humility and faith in Allah. He was very patient. He suffered from a number of calamities but did not utter a single word of complaint. One day his big farm was attacked by the thieves. They killed many of his servants and carried away forcibly all his cattle. The Prophet Ayub (peace be upon him) did not feel sorry at this loss and thanked Allah.

After some time the roof of the house fell down and many members of his family were crushed. The Prophet Ayyub (peace be upon him) was much shocked but he held fast to his faith in Allah. He neither shed a tear nor heaved a sigh. He prostrated before the Almighty. He remarked that possessions and children were the gifts from Allah. If He had taken His things, it was useless to lament over their loss.

After a few years Prophet Ayub (peace be upon him) suffered from skin disease. His parts of body were covered with loathsome sores. He had many ugly looking ulcers on his face and hands. The sores were full of worms. It is narrated that he picked up those worms which fell from his abscess and praised Allah for creating them.

Above all, his false friends attributed his calamities to his sins. They ridiculed and looked down upon him. All the persons deserted him with the exception of his faithful wife, Rahima. She also grew tired of him in the long run and prayed for his death. She cursed her husband for retaining integrity in Allah. When Prophet Ayub (peace be upon him) was in an extremely pathetic condition he prayed:

"Truly adversity has afflicted me and You are Most Merciful of all who show mercy." (Surah 21: Verse 83)

Allah accepted his prayer. The Holy Quran affirms:
"Then We heard his prayer and removed that adversity from which he suffered, and We gave him his household and the like thereof along with them, a mercy from Our store and remembrance for the worshippers." (Surah 21: Verse

Allah turned to him with mercy. He was commanded to strike the earth with his foot. He complied with the order and water from the spring gushed forth. He took a bath with the water and got cured from his evil disease. After this he was restored to prosperity. The Prophet Ayub (peace be upon him) knelt and prayed expressing a deep sense of gratitude to Allah. He never forgot His favours, mercy and love.

The Prophet Ayub (peace be upon him) was one of the celebrated Prophets. His example illustrates: that those who remain patient under the stress of all circumstances, are never deprived of high rewards. The Holy Quran affirms:
"And surely we try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and crops, but give glad-tidings to the steadfast, who when a misfortune befalls them, say lo! we are Allah's (possession of Allah) and to Him shall we surely return. · Such are they on whom are blessings from their Lord, and mercy. Such are the rightly-guided." (Surah 2 : Verse 155-157)

When you have
taken a decision, put
your trust in Allah.
Surah Al-’lmran
3:159-160