The Holy Quran 38:44 — Surah Sad

Arabic text

وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَٱضْرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ ۗ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَـٰهُ صَابِرًا ۚ نِّعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ

Translation

(Shaytaan once passed by the wife of Ayyoob عليه الصلاة والسلام in the disguise of a physician. When she requested him to treat her husband, Shaytaan said, "I shall cure him without charging you for the treatment and medicines. However, when he is cured, I want you to say that I cured him." She accepted. When she mentioned this to Ayyoob عليه الصلاة والسلام he became angry because accepting the condition of treatment entailed uttering words of Shirk since Allaah is the only One Who can cure. He therefore took an oath to cane her a hundred times when he regained his strength. When Allaah cured him, the time came to fulfil his oath to cane her. It was then that Allaah advised him how he should fulfil his oath. Because she had loyally served Ayyoob عليه الصلاة والسلام for many years, Allaah told him,) "Take a handful of (a hundred) twigs to hit (her lightly) with (it once only), and (by doing this) do not breach your oath." Verily, We found him (Ayyoob عليه الصلاة والسلام) to be patient (throughout the course of his suffering). What a fine slave! He was certainly penitent.

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The oath of Ayyub ﵇: during his illness Ayyub ﵇, being displeased over something, swore that when he recovered he would strike his wife a hundred blows with a stick. That good lady had been his companion in that condition and was not much at fault. Almighty Allah in His kindness showed him a way of fulfilling his oath that was specific to him alone.

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