Were The Children Of Ayyub (AS) Replaced?
On a factual level, we first need to separate Quran’s report on this issue, from Bible’s. Bible mentions that Sayyidana Ayyub’s children died as part of his trials (Book of Job, Chapter 1, verses 18-19). However, in our tradition, there isn’t a definitive consensus on whether Sayyidana Ayyub’s children died as a part of his trials. Different scholars have different interpretations based on various Hadiths and historical texts. If you carefully read the relevant verses of Quran ( 21:84 and 38:43 ), it does not say that his earlier children died. Rather, it appears that his family was probably alienated during his trials temporarily, and they were later restored to him by the mercy of God. And not just that, but God gifted him with more of family afterwards in addition to the earlier family members: 21:84 So We answered him, and We removed what was afflicting him, and We brought him back his family and others with them as a mercy from Us and a reminder to those who serve. 38:43 And We restored his family to him along with a group like them, as a mercy from Us; and a reminder for those who possess intelligence. Quran does not cite that his children died, so there is no reason to believe that this happened.