وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَٱضْرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ ۗ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَـٰهُ صَابِرًا ۚ نِّعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ 44
Translations
[We said], "And 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 Allāh].
Transliteration
Wa-khudh bi-yadika dighthan fa-idrib bihi wa-la tahnath. Inna wajadnahu sabiran. Ni'mal-'abd. Innahoo awwab.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah concludes the story of Prophet Ayub (Job), where Allah commands him to strike his wife with a bundle of grass as expiation for his oath, while assuring him that this light punishment fulfills the oath without causing real harm. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari note that this demonstrates Allah's mercy toward Ayub—allowing him to keep his oath while preventing him from committing a grave sin against his wife. The ayah then praises Ayub for his exceptional patience and constant repentance, establishing him as an exemplary servant of Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Ayub in Surah Sad, a Meccan surah. The story illustrates divine testing and the reward for steadfast patience; Ayub had sworn an oath against his wife in a moment of distress during his trials, and Allah provides him with a merciful solution to fulfill his oath. The context emphasizes how Allah honors those who endure trials with patience and maintain their relationship with Him through constant repentance (awwab).
Related Hadiths
Hadith in Sahih Bukhari (3:50:891) mentions the story of Ayub's patience and Allah's response to his supplication. Additionally, hadiths emphasizing expiation for oaths (kaffarah al-yamin) are relevant, such as those found in the chapters on oaths in Sunan Abu Dawud and Sunan Ibn Majah, which detail how believers can fulfill oaths without transgression.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that Allah provides solutions that honor both our obligations and our moral responsibilities, especially when we turn to Him with patience and sincerity. For modern readers, it demonstrates that endurance through difficulty combined with constant repentance and reconnection to Allah is the pathway to divine favor and relief.