The Majestic Quran

38. Sad The Letter Sad This early-Makkan chapter was revealed in the fourth or fifth year of the mission of the Prophet r . It opens by describing the role of the Quran as a reminder, creating awareness and consciousness of a greater reality, its central theme. This is developed by relating the stories of previous communities and the tireless efforts of prophets, starting with an account of the excellent qualities of David and his son Solomon . They were rulers, but also devout and pious servants of God. The heartbreaking story of the sufferings of Prophet Job concludes the chapter. According to Tabari, Satan surmised that Job would not remain faithful if he encountered difficulties. God allowed Satan to test him. So disaster struck Job: his house subsided, his livestock were killed, his family were killed in an accident and he became ill with a contagious disease so people abandoned him. Satan attempted to shake Job’s faith through his wife: she put forward an idea that for him to recover, he must sacrifice a baby goat for Satan. Job refused to do so; he swore an oath to give her one hundred lashes for the blasphemy, once he recovered. In that despair and anguish he prayed: “Satan has brought hardship and pain” (41). Job is presented as model of patience and endurance, and is honoured as “An excellent servant!” He didn’t despair, he cried to God for relief and placed his trust in Him. This is what makes this story a lesson, zikra , for those with understanding (43). This passage can be read in the wider context of the chapter. In the beginning, it mentions the arrogance and the hostility of the people of Makkah to the Prophet r , resulting in the warning: “How many past generations have We destroyed before them! They cried