Comparative Studies of Quran

Comparative Studies of Quran

A Comparative Critique of the Story of Prophet Job (PBUH) in the Old Testament and the Holy Qur'an: With an Emphasis on the Exegetical Narrations of Both Sects (Fariqayn)

Document Type : review paper

Author
somayeh khalili Ashtiani
Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Tehran West Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/csq.2025.520016.1551
Abstract
Research Objective:
The objective of this research is to investigate the Qur'anic narrative of the trials of Prophet Job (PBUH) and compare it with the Holy Scriptures. In the Old Testament section of the Bible, a specific and independent book named the "Book of Job" is dedicated to the narrative of his life, sufferings, and trials. This book, in terms of content, exhibits certain commonalities as well as divergences with the Qur'anic narrative of his life. In the exegetical narrations compiled under the verses related to him, traces of Isra'iliyyat (Judeo-Christian traditions) can be observed—particularly within Sunni narrations—which warrant rigorous investigation and analysis.
Research Method:
To conduct this research, a descriptive-analytical method has been employed. First, the text of the Book of Job from the Old Testament was examined and analyzed, followed by a comparative study with the verses of the Holy Qur'an and the exegetical narrations of both major Islamic sects (Fariqayn). The exegetical narrations were further scrutinized and analyzed based on the criteria of narration acceptance (hadith evaluation).
Research Findings:
The findings of this research demonstrate that the image of Prophet Job (PBUH) presented in the Holy Qur'an—as a divine prophet and a grateful, patient servant in the face of God's trials—differs substantially from his portrayal in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, Job is not depicted as a prophet, but rather as a righteous servant of God who undergoes divine trials; however, he lacks patience, frequently complaining and lamenting. Furthermore, his people treat him poorly, and he is ultimately forced to live in the city's garbage dump due to his illness. Unfortunately, certain exegetical narrations, particularly those transmitted through Sunni sources, closely mirror the Old Testament accounts; these do not align with the established criteria for narration acceptance and are classified as Isra'iliyyat traditions.
Final Conclusion:
This study demonstrates that despite various commonalities between the narratives of the Holy Qur'an and the Bible, the Bible has undergone multiple revisions, and since significant portions of it are not of divine origin, it has suffered from distortion (tahrif). This has resulted in notable discrepancies compared to the Qur'an's narrative. In this research, despite the mutual recognition by both the Old Testament and the Holy Qur'an of Prophet Job (PBUH) as a righteous, good servant of the Lord who is tried through divine tribulations (such as the loss of his children, wealth, and health), substantial divergences emerge.
In the Qur'anic verses, Job does not become an object of aversion to his community due to his illness, nor does he utter complaints or laments against the Almighty during his trials. On the contrary, due to his profound patience under these hardships and his refusal to complain, Job (PBUH) is praised and remembered as an exemplary, grateful servant ('Abdan Shakura).
Furthermore, the exegetical narrations that entered Islamic tradition through Sunni channels bear a striking resemblance to the Old Testament text. These are unacceptable as they contradict other Qur'anic verses, the doctrine of the infallibility of the prophets ('ismah), and the theological philosophy underlying the sending of prophets. They also conflict with other reliable narrations regarding Prophet Job (PBUH). Moreover, due to their reliance on a common narrator, Wahb ibn Munabbih—who is deemed untrustworthy from a biographical (rijal) perspective—these narrations are identified as Isra'iliyyat and are rejected.
In the exegetical narrations regarding the verses of Prophet Job (PBUH) transmitted through the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUH) [Shia sources], any claims of him being afflicted with a repulsive disease that caused his people to loathe him, his banishment to the city's garbage dump, or accounts of worms feeding on his body, are completely and unequivocally rejected.
Keywords
Holy Scriptures
Old Testament
Qur'an
Job (PBUH)
Divine Trial
Isra'iliyyat
Subjects
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Comparative Studies of Quran
Volume 10, Issue 2 - Serial Number 20
January 2026
Pages 134-159

  • Receive Date 06 May 2025
  • Revise Date 19 August 2025
  • Accept Date 21 October 2025
  • Publish Date 22 December 2025