ٱرْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ ۖ هَـٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌۢ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ 42
Translations
[So he was told], "Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for a] cool bath and drink."
Transliteration
Irkud bi-rijlika, hadha mughtasalun baridun wa sharab
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commanded Prophet Ayoub (Job) to strike the ground with his foot, from which a cool spring of water emerged for him to bathe in and drink, providing relief from his prolonged illness and suffering. This ayah demonstrates Allah's miraculous response to the patient supplication of His servant, and represents the restoration of health and comfort after enduring trials. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this as a sign of Allah's mercy and the fulfillment of His promise to those who remain steadfast in faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Ayoub (Job) in Surah Sad, which recounts his story of extreme patience through severe illness and loss. The context describes how after years of suffering, Allah responded to his call for help, demonstrating that relief comes through divine intervention rather than human means alone. This surah was revealed in Mecca during a period when early Muslims faced their own trials and persecutions.
Related Hadiths
The story of Ayoub's patience is referenced in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim in various narrations about patience and trials. Tirmidhi records that the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned Ayoub as one of the most patient among the messengers, exemplifying steadfastness through affliction.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that suffering and hardship are temporary, and that sincere patience combined with faith in Allah's wisdom brings divine relief and restoration. Modern readers can find solace in knowing that no trial is eternal, and that Allah responds to those who maintain steadfast faith during their darkest moments.
Related Ayahs
فَنَجَّيْنَـٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ
So We saved him and his family, all,
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْقِصَاصُ فِى ٱلْقَتْلَى ۖ ٱلْحُرُّ بِٱلْحُرِّ وَٱلْعَبْدُ بِٱلْعَبْدِ وَٱلْأُنثَىٰ بِٱلْأُنثَىٰ ۚ فَمَنْ عُفِىَ لَهُۥ مِنْ أَخِيهِ شَىْءٌ فَٱتِّبَاعٌۢ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَأَدَآءٌ إِلَيْهِ بِإِحْسَـٰنٍ ۗ ذَٰلِكَ تَخْفِيفٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَرَحْمَةٌ ۗ فَمَنِ ٱعْتَدَىٰ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَهُۥ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
O you who have believed, prescribed for you is legal retribution for those murdered - the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But whoever overlooks from his brother [i.e., the killer] anything, then there should be a suitable follow-up and payment to him [i.e., the deceased's heir or legal representative] with good conduct. This is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy. But whoever transgresses after that will have a painful punishment.
أَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ يَقْبَلُ ٱلتَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَأْخُذُ ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلتَّوَّابُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Do they not know that it is Allāh who accepts repentance from His servants and receives charities and that it is Allāh who is the Accepting of Repentance, the Merciful?
جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
As reward for what they used to do.