Author: Dr. Rida Abdullah Pasha (حفظہ اللہ)
"O my Lord! Grant me control over his body."
Allah responded:
"I have granted you control over his body except for his tongue, heart, and sight."
Thereafter, Iblees afflicted Ayyub (عليه السلام) with a condition that caused painful boils all over his body. When Ayyub (عليه السلام) scratched the boils with his nails, they bled, and when he scratched them with clay, his flesh began to fall off. In this state of immense suffering, he said:
"مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ" — "Satan has touched me."
[Refer to Tafsir at-Tabari (166/23), Tafsir al-Qurtubi (208/15), and Tafsir Ibn Kathir (40/4)]
"And remember Our servant Ayyub, when he called to his Lord, 'Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment.'"
[Surah Sad: 41]
"Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment."
According to one view, the phrase means:
Then, Allah commanded him to strike his foot on another part of the ground, causing another spring to gush forth. Ayyub (عليه السلام) was told to drink from this spring, which healed his internal illnesses.
Did Satan Play a Role in Prophet Ayyub’s (عليه السلام) Illness and Trial?
Some commentators have mentioned that Satan’s involvement in Prophet Ayyub’s (عليه السلام) illness occurred when Iblees was given limited control over his body. According to narrations, Iblees made a request to Allah:"O my Lord! Grant me control over his body."
Allah responded:
"I have granted you control over his body except for his tongue, heart, and sight."
Thereafter, Iblees afflicted Ayyub (عليه السلام) with a condition that caused painful boils all over his body. When Ayyub (عليه السلام) scratched the boils with his nails, they bled, and when he scratched them with clay, his flesh began to fall off. In this state of immense suffering, he said:
"مَسَّنِيَ الشَّيْطَانُ" — "Satan has touched me."
[Refer to Tafsir at-Tabari (166/23), Tafsir al-Qurtubi (208/15), and Tafsir Ibn Kathir (40/4)]
Qur'anic Evidence:
Allah mentions this in the Quran:"And remember Our servant Ayyub, when he called to his Lord, 'Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment.'"
[Surah Sad: 41]
The Extent of Ayyub’s (عليه السلام) Trial:
Allah recounts the severe test given to His servant and Prophet Ayyub (عليه السلام). His entire body, except for his heart, was afflicted, and from his worldly possessions, only his wife remained, who served him devotedly. His illness continued for nearly 18 years. In his extreme distress, Ayyub (عليه السلام) made the following supplication to Allah:"Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and torment."
According to one view, the phrase means:
- Hardship in my wealth (نصب في مالي)
- Torment in my body (عذاب في بدني)
Allah’s Mercy and Healing:
Upon hearing his supplication, Allah, the Most Merciful, accepted his prayer and instructed him to rise and take a bath. As soon as he did so, all external diseases affecting his body disappeared.Then, Allah commanded him to strike his foot on another part of the ground, causing another spring to gush forth. Ayyub (عليه السلام) was told to drink from this spring, which healed his internal illnesses.