Episode 4
Episode 4: An Excellent Servant, Ever Turning Back to Allah
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The Qur'an closes the story of Ayyub with the highest praise for a servant. Allah said, "And [We said], 'Take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it, and do not break your oath.' Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah]" (Qur'an 38:44). This verse praises Ayyub with three qualities at once: "patient" (sabir), "an excellent servant" (ni'mal 'abd), and "ever turning back to Allah" (awwab). All three were the fruit of the long trial he passed through with steadfastness. The command about the bunch of grass shows Allah's gentleness: Ayyub had made an oath in a certain matter, and Allah gave him a light way out so his oath could be fulfilled without transgression โ a proof that Allah desires no hardship for His obedient servant. Reflection: the summit of patience is to attain Allah's pleasure and praise. Ayyub teaches that suffering met with patience and obedience is never wasted โ rather, it raises a servant to become "an excellent servant" before his Lord.