وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ أَهْلَهُۥ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ 43
Translations
And We granted him his family and a like [number] with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for those of understanding.
Transliteration
Wa wahabna lahu ahlahu wa mithlahum ma'ahum rahmatam minna wa dhikra li-ulil-albab
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes how Allah restored to Prophet Ayyub (Job) his family and doubled their number as a mercy from Allah and as a reminder for those of understanding. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that after Ayyub's severe trials and his patient endurance, Allah granted him this restoration not merely as material compensation, but as a sign of divine mercy and a lesson for the wise who understand that patience in hardship leads to Allah's benevolence. Al-Tabari notes that the doubling of his family (giving him his original family back plus an equal number) was unprecedented generosity, reflecting the magnitude of his trial and the completeness of his vindication.
Revelation Context
This ayah concludes the narrative of Prophet Ayyub within Surah Sad, which is Meccan. The surah presents stories of prophets who faced trials and remained steadfast in faith. The context emphasizes Ayyub's exemplary patience (sabr) during his afflictions—loss of wealth, health, and family—and his unwavering trust in Allah. This narrative provided solace to the Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslims facing persecution in Mecca.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad said regarding patience: 'No one is given a better and greater gift than patience' (Sahih Bukhari 5059). Additionally, there is a hadith in Sahih Muslim regarding Ayyub's story: 'The greatest trial was given to Ayyub, yet he remained patient,' illustrating the virtue exemplified in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that steadfast patience during hardship is not forgotten by Allah, and that divine compensation often exceeds what was lost, serving as a profound reminder that trials are temporary and Allah's mercy ultimately prevails. For believers today, it encourages trust in Allah's wisdom during difficulties, knowing that patient perseverance can lead to blessings both spiritual and material.