Who Published The Story Of Ayyub Book And When?

As someone deeply interested in religious texts and historical literature, I've spent a lot of time exploring the origins of stories like 'Ayyub' (Job). The story of Ayyub is primarily found in the Quran, which was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the 7th century CE. However, its roots trace back much earlier to the Hebrew Bible's Book of Job, believed to have been written between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE. Islamic scholars attribute the Quranic version to divine revelation, compiled during the lifetime of the Prophet and later formalized under Caliph Uthman. The Hebrew version, part of the Ketuvim (Writings), was likely passed down orally before being codified by Jewish scribes. Both versions share core themes of patience and faith but differ in narrative details.

The Quranic account is published as part of the Quran itself, with no single author but rather a compilation of revelations. The Hebrew Bible's Book of Job is traditionally ascribed to Moses, though modern scholars debate this. Key publishers of these texts include various religious institutions over centuries, with critical editions like the Aleppo Codex (Hebrew) and the Cairo edition (Arabic Quran) shaping modern readings.

I’ve always been fascinated by how ancient stories endure, and 'Ayyub' is a perfect example. The tale appears in both the Quran and the Bible, but their publication histories differ wildly. The Quran’s version wasn’t 'published' in the modern sense—it was compiled after Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) death in 632 CE, with standardized versions like the 1924 Cairo edition being pivotal later. The Bible’s Book of Job, though, is part of a much older tradition, likely written down around 500 BCE. It’s wild to think how these texts survived through oral traditions before being penned. Publishers today range from Oxford University Press’s academic editions to niche religious presses like Darussalam for Quranic translations. If you’re curious about specific editions, I’d recommend checking out scholarly works on the Dead Sea Scrolls for Job or tafsirs (commentaries) like Ibn Kathir’s for the Quranic Ayyub.

Digging into the story of Ayyub feels like uncovering layers of history. The Quranic version, Surah 21 and 38, was revealed in Mecca around 610–622 CE and later compiled into the Quran. Meanwhile, the Hebrew Book of Job is ancient—possibly written during the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE). It’s included in the Tanakh and later Christian Old Testaments. Modern prints of these texts are everywhere, from Sahih International’s Quran translation to Robert Alter’s Hebrew Bible. Fun fact: Job’s perseverance theme resonates across cultures, with adaptations like 'The Testament of Job' in apocryphal literature.

The story of Ayyub is in the Quran, revealed over 1,400 years ago and compiled post-Prophet Muhammad’s era. The Bible’s Job predates it, written around 500 BCE. Both are now published by countless organizations, from religious groups to academic presses.