Nestled among the green mountains of Dhofar lies the resting place of Islam’s renowned Prophet, Nabi Ayoub. Today, it is an attraction for both believers and travellers alike.

“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright and one that feared God and eschewed evil….”

According to the Old Testament, Job (Ayoub in Arabic) is also a Prophet of Islam. A man, granted by God, with special guidance, wisdom and inspiration.

The Prophet had suffered for years with a crippling illness.

At the green age of 18, Ayoub begged the Lord for mercy. The Lord ordered him to “Strike with thy foot” in the ground which caused a cool spring of water to erupt from the earth. This water replenished the Prophet and, in that moment, his pain was removed. Ayoub lived to the ripe old age of 92.

The resting place of greatness

Forty kilometres north-west of Salalah, in the Sultanate of Oman, lies the tomb – the resting place of Nabi Ayoub.

The fog that encircles the mountainous Dhofar region and steep roads that lead to the sacred resting place, do little to deter the procession of believers, tourists and lovers of architecture who come, year after year, to stand in awe of the tomb’s modest, yet beautiful, simplicity.

Entering the tomb

The entrance of the tomb appears small. A humble, white building adorned with a golden dome and emerald green awnings. Nonetheless, what it contains is immense in value and symbolism for the many that enter the tomb.

Walking through a small garden will lead you to the resting place of the Prophet – a place where he had coincidentally spent most of his healthy life. On one side there is a quaint prayer room. On the other, a wall facing Jerusalem that the Prophet would face for prayer. In the court yard lies a deep, shattered rock face, believed to be the sight of the Prophet’s foot strike which revived him to health. As guests exit over the elaborate artwork of the path leading to the tomb, many exclaim to feel uplifted and a deeper acknowledgement of spirituality.

The trek home

The area in which the tomb resides is rich in natural beauty. Dhofar’s mountains are lavishly green and harbour an array of natural springs. The greenery is dotted with numerous restaurants and cafes for the humble spiritualist to enjoy after their long trek through to the summit.