ABSTRACT
The prophet Job is mentioned by name
in the Qur ) an four times. Job’s descent
from Abraham is indicated in 6.84
where he is listed along with David,
Solomon, Joseph, Moses and Aaron.
Some Muslim genealogists state that
Job was Roman or an Israelite living
among the Romans, being a descendant
of Esau who is considered to be the
forefather of all the Roman people.
There is disagreement among Muslim
exegetes concerning the time when Job
lived, some saying that he was a grand-
son of Lot and others saying that he
lived after the time of Solomon. 21.83-84 and 38.41-44 relate the story
of Job, stating that he was afflicted with
‘distress’ and then restored by God after
calling out to him in prayer. Muslim
exegetes add that Job was a rich man
with a large family but all of this was
taken away from him, including his
health. Job remained steadfast through
his affliction although all of the people
around him abandoned and loathed him
because of it. It is reported that the
Prophet Muhammad stated that Job
was the most afflicted of all the pro-
phets, and because all people are tried
according to the strength of their reli-
gion, this means that Job was the most
steadfast of all the prophets. Muslim
exegetes say that the trial of Job lasted
anywhere from three to eighteen years,
and they acknowledge that the Bible
contains many stories about the details
of this trial. Of Job’s sickness, Muslim exegetes
claim that it afflicted all of his body
except for his heart and his tongue, with
which he continued to praise God. Oth-
ers claim that his sickness was smallpox,
and that his body became only bones
and sinews. Muslim exegetes also relate stories
about Job’s family. According to some,
