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Hadith 17 Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah

Imaam Al-Albānī

Narrator: Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him)

“Indeed, the Prophet of Allah, Ayyūb (peace be upon him), suffered with affliction for eighteen years. Relatives and strangers abandoned him, except two of his brothers who would visit him morning and evening. One day one of them said to the other: ‘By Allah, Ayyūb must have committed a sin that no one among the worlds has committed.’ The other asked: ‘Why?’ He replied: ‘For eighteen years Allah has not shown him mercy to remove the affliction.’ When they came to Ayyūb, one of them could not bear it and repeated this to him. Ayyūb said: ‘I do not know what you two say. But Allah knows that I used to pass by two men who were disputing and mentioning Allah, and then I would return to my house and offer expiation on their behalf, because I disliked that Allah be mentioned except in what is befitting (truthfully).’ Then he would go out to relieve himself; after doing so, his wife would help him by holding his hand until he completed what he needed. One day he delayed, and Allah inspired to him: “Strike with your foot — here is a cool spring for washing and drinking.” So he struck with his foot, and a spring emerged. He washed and drank from it, and Allah removed all his affliction; he returned improved in condition. When his wife saw him, she did not recognize him. She said: “O blessed are you! Have you seen the prophet of Allah who was afflicted? By Allah, I have never seen anyone more like him than you are, when he was healthy.” He said: “I am he.” He had two granaries (for storage): one for wheat and one for barley. Allah sent for him two clouds: one poured gold into the wheat granary until it overflowed, and the other poured silver into the barley granary until it overflowed.”

Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah, Hadith no. 17 authenticated by Al-Albānī (end quote)

I read this Hadith, and I was amazed at the righteousness of the wife of Prophet Ayyūb (peace be upon him). She stood by him with patience, loyalty, and service throughout eighteen years of trial, when even others abandoned him. Her steadfastness is a powerful reminder that righteousness shine most in times of hardship. I jotted down a few points for you to reflect on.

🌿 Benefits from the Mention of His Wife in the Hadith

1. Loyalty and Service in Hardship
   • The hadith says: “His wife would take his hand and help him until he had finished his needs.”
   • This shows her incredible patience, loyalty, and service to her husband during his eighteen years of affliction.
   • Despite others abandoning him, she remained steadfast; a model of marital devotion.
2. Recognition Through Love
   • When Allah restored Ayyūb’s health, she did not recognize him. She said:
     “By Allah, I have not seen anyone more resembling him when he was healthy than you.”
   • This demonstrates her deep love and familiarity with her husband ,even in his sickness, she remembered his original form.
3. A Partner in Patience
   • Her patience was intertwined with his. Ayyūb is the Prophet, but his wife shared in the trial, showing that spouses carry the burden of each other’s hardships.
   • This reflects the Qur’anic concept: {And We created for you from yourselves spouses that you may find tranquility in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy} (Qur’an
4. Silent Support
   • The hadith does not mention her complaining, abandoning him, or blaming him. Instead, she quietly stood by him, assisting him in his needs.
   • This highlights that often the greatest support is silent, consistent presence — not loud declarations.