ٱرْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ ۖ هَـٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌۢ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ 42
Translations
[So he was told], "Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for a] cool bath and drink."
Transliteration
Irkud bi-rijlika, hadha mughtasalun baridun wa sharab
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah commanded Prophet Ayoub (Job) to strike the ground with his foot, from which a cool spring of water emerged for him to bathe in and drink, providing relief from his prolonged illness and suffering. This ayah demonstrates Allah's miraculous response to the patient supplication of His servant, and represents the restoration of health and comfort after enduring trials. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note this as a sign of Allah's mercy and the fulfillment of His promise to those who remain steadfast in faith.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Prophet Ayoub (Job) in Surah Sad, which recounts his story of extreme patience through severe illness and loss. The context describes how after years of suffering, Allah responded to his call for help, demonstrating that relief comes through divine intervention rather than human means alone. This surah was revealed in Mecca during a period when early Muslims faced their own trials and persecutions.
Related Hadiths
The story of Ayoub's patience is referenced in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim in various narrations about patience and trials. Tirmidhi records that the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned Ayoub as one of the most patient among the messengers, exemplifying steadfastness through affliction.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that suffering and hardship are temporary, and that sincere patience combined with faith in Allah's wisdom brings divine relief and restoration. Modern readers can find solace in knowing that no trial is eternal, and that Allah responds to those who maintain steadfast faith during their darkest moments.
Related Ayahs
وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن رِّزْقٍ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَتَصْرِيفِ ٱلرِّيَـٰحِ ءَايَـٰتٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ
And [in] the alternation of night and day and [in] what Allāh sends down from the sky of provision [i.e., rain] and gives life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness and [in His] directing of the winds are signs for a people who reason.
ذِكْرُ رَحْمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبْدَهُۥ زَكَرِيَّآ
[This is] a mention of the mercy of your Lord to His servant Zechariah
فَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا وَوَقَىٰنَا عَذَابَ ٱلسَّمُومِ
So Allāh conferred favor upon us and protected us from the punishment of the Scorching Fire.
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ فَيُدْخِلُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ فِى رَحْمَتِهِۦ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
So as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, their Lord will admit them into His mercy. That is what is the clear attainment.