The Story of Job

(21:83)(38:41-44)(56-46)(4:63)(6:85)

The Story of Job

The story of Job is mentioned in the Quran.  In verse 6:85, a list of prophets is given to show that all of these great prophets, in their respective times, are given the same guidance by God.   In this list of prophets, one sees the name of Job.

  The details of his work are not provided by the Quran.  The Quran only points out one single event of his life: when he cries out in pain, “Oh, God, an adversity has afflicted and surrounded me.  Please help me in my ordeal, since you are the most magnanimous helper.”  In verses 38:41-45 we are told that Job suffered from a snake bite.

In modern times, when many hospitals and doctors are available, a snake bite may not cause a very serious problem.  However, this story was told about three thousand or two thousand seven hundred years ago.  It was an age of superstition.   Without the light of science, the human beings were groping and fumbling in the darkness of ignorance.  The human mind was trying to solve the riddle of life, death, the universe, and stars, etc. with the help of imagination by creating gods and goddesses.

Furthermore, the snake was considered a mysterious entity in ancient times; we find it playing an amazing role in all ancient mythologies.  In Hindu mythology, the god Shiva wore a snake around his neck. The Rani Kunti, mother of Pandoes, the winners of the Mahabharat, was affiliated with the Nagh (snake) kingdom.   In Egyptian mythology, the cobra was considered to be a friend of Pharaoh.  Even in this age of science and technology, snakes are worshiped in some Indian temples.

In the time of Job, snakes were shrouded in mystery.  Many strange procedures were created and adopted to cure snake bite.  A snake charmer played many tricks and pretended to awake the snake goddess to cure a person.  Job, in spite of his excruciating pain, refused to take part in this humbug.  All his friends, family, and relatives denounced him; he was left alone to suffer for his refusal to submit himself to the superstitious curing process.

 He exhibited extraordinary courage and perseverance in his time of distress, along with remarkable mental and emotional strength during his long illness.  He faced every calamity with patience and never once did his fortitude waver from his scruples; he was an obedient slave of God and never left the path of truth due to prolonged suffering and pain.  During his illness, he never bowed to the whim of the snake charmer who prattled absurdities with the greatest seriousness.  With his unflagging faith, he remained steadfast in his conviction that health would come from his synchronizing with the laws of God.  

  Many springs in the mountains pass through a passage which is full of minerals and chemicals; while running through such mountains the water absorbs the minerals and chemicals.   Job was directed to such a spring by God. This mineral water worked as a medicine for the snake bite.  Moreover, Job was told to make a stack of herbs and rub it on the wound.  The mineral water and herbs cured the wound.

 He singled himself out as one unique towering figure; a symbol of perseverance, fortitude, and courage.  He was not carried away with the flow of the tide, but stood as a pillar of light pointing towards the right path.   After a while his old companions rejoined him and his new friends; he lived a peaceful, happy life after a long struggle with adversity.

King Solomon 5

In order to make a comprehensive plan for war, King Solomon called a meeting of his generals.  In it he made his intention clear; he declared that the common man was not responsible for the decision of war.  Therefore, it was not appropriate to punish them for the deeds of their superiors.  As soon as King Solomon finished his speech, one general got up and said, “With great respect, King Solomon, some type of damage to the enemy and its belongings is inevitable in the time of war.”

“I am aware of it. The only way to minimize it is to make the time of war short.  Now, I want to know which one of you can make it short and how?”

          One intelligent chieftain, with great insight in the matters of war, from the unruly nomadic tribe said,” “The best way to do so is not to wage war on the out skirts of Queen Sheba’s territory. We should straight away attack the capital city of the country and conquer it.  I am an honest and trustworthy person and I can do this before you order the army to reach the next stop.”

          Another officer, who was fully aware of the correspondence which had taken place between Queen Sheba and King Solomon, said, “I can do it in a jiffy. In no time, the throne of the queen will be in your possession.” King Solomon approved his plan and he was appointed to complete the mission, which he successfully did with great care and efficiency.  Queen Sheba was presented in front of King Solomon, along with her embellished throne, treasury, and other precious items.

          When King Solomon saw all that, he bowed in front of God—as a sign of his gratefulness –and declared that it had all happened because God had given him every tangible means to achieve this victory.  Then he turned toward Queen Sheba and said, “Is this the wealth which made you so proud as not to accept the truth.”  Queen Sheba hung her head in embarrassment and replied, “Yes, power and wealth corrupt the wisdom of those who possess it.  Moreover, we were depending on our gods for victory and they did not protect us.”

          After this straightforward answer the relations between the two countries became cordial; King Solomon treated her as a royal guest, not as a defeated enemy.  He ordered that as a guest of honor she should stay in a glass castle.  Queen Sheba, when she approached the glass guest house, became slightly nervous and thought that it was water.  At that point in time, she had no idea of this industry.  King Solomon guessed the cause of her confusion and told her that it was glass and not water.

          “Is this standard of living the result of Nezam-e-Rabubiyyit which you have introduced in the country?” she asked.

“Yes,” he replied. “This system oppresses none; it allows everyone to obey the laws of God in a systematic and organized way. God does not want to take anything from the human beings.  In obeying the laws of God we don’t give him anything; on the contrary, we make our lives better and happier,” replied King Solomon.

“I believe in the magnanimous and open-handed God of King Solomon,” Queen Sheba cried out in ecstasy.  “He has such awe-inspiring powers; along with that He bestows his bounties munificently on human beings when they synchronize their lives with his laws.” 

King Solomon 4

(27:18-19)(27:36-45)

King Solomon 4

          The messenger sent by Queen Sheba failed in the mission to win King Solomon over by bribing him with money. On the contrary, King Solomon returned the messenger with a warning that he would invade the territory of Queen Sheba, with such formidable forces that she would not be able to protect herself and her kingdom, if she did not comply with his demands. The effort to negotiate peace proved fruitless.  Both the states declared war.

          The news of an impending war permeated the whole atmosphere.  There were no international rules at that time governing war.  War was like a black twister dispersing death and misery everywhere it passed, without any discrimination; or it was like a death shroud ready to gulp everything on which it could spread its tentacles.  The name of war terrified many rulers; they directed their subjects to leave the path on which King Solomon and his army were to move.     

         Another queen’s territory, which King Solomon had to cross over to reach the battleground, was governed by a wise woman known as Namel.  She said, “King Solomon is a powerful king; he may not heed our position in the war.  We are a small country and our existence or elimination would not put a dint in his power.  The best course of action for us is to leave his path.”  She sent special officers to guide people to hide in appropriate places so that they could save themselves from the widespread devastation of war.

          When all this news reached King Solomon’s palace, he smiled and gratefulness for God, who had bestowed so many bounties on him, swelled in his heart.  He prayed to Him and said, “My magnanimous giver, as you have given me such great power, please add with it such strength of character that I use it to help the poor and needy and not to destroy the humble and weak. The people fear me because they don’t distinguish between an army of a king and an army of a messenger of God.”    

          King Solomon advanced with his forces, but all the time he was thinking about the non-combatant civilians.  He was a compassionate man with a lot of sympathy for all mankind.  The dwellers of Queen Sheba’s kingdom were idol-worshipers, but still they were human beings.  It was not their fault that their queen had decided to wage a war; therefore, he wanted to do as little damage to the kingdom and inhabitants as possible.