Story of Prophet Dhul-Kifl (A.S) – Dhu al-Kifl

Dhul-Kilf (ذُو الْكِفْل), also written as Dhu al-Kifl or sometimes Zu al-Kifl, was a Prophet sent to this world by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ for the guidance of mankind. He is among the 25 Prophets whose names are mentioned in the Quran. His name appears twice in the Quran, along with other Prophets. According to the dictionary, the meanings of Dhu-Kifl are “Possessor of a double requital” or “the one has given a double portion.”

Apart from the mention of his name twice, no other information about Prophet Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ is available in the Quran. Some scholars also believe that Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was the same Prophet as mentioned in Christianity as Ezekiel. The era of Prophet Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ is believed to be somewhere between Prophet Haroon عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and Prophet Dawud عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ.

Life Pattern of Prophet Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ

Though not much information is available from the research works of the Islamic Commentators, Prophet Dul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ is known as a pious and righteous person, who remained devoted to prayers and worship, with the firm belief on Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Another quality attributed to him is that he would never get angry, whatever the circumstances.

It has been his routine to fast during the days for the whole year. He used to spend his nights, round the year, worshiping, praying, and remembering Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ. One of his key characteristics was that he would never get angry in any circumstances. He would always hold his temper, whatever the situation.

The Debate About the Prophethood of Dhul-Kifl

Although Prophet Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ is mentioned twice by name in the Quran, some earlier scholars believed that he was not a Prophet. They believed that he was one of the righteous persons mentioned in the Quran in one or another context, such as Dhul-Qarnain and Khidr.

However, the majority of the Islamic Scholars are of the view that Dhul-Kifl was a Prophet. Their argument is based on the fact that his name and the other Prophets appear in two different verses of the Quran. Firstly, he is mentioned along with the Prophets Ismael عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and Prophet Idris عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ in the verses 85-86 of Surah Al-Anbiya:

Translation

85. And (We bestowed the same favor) upon Ishmael, Idris, and Dhu al-Kifl, for they were all steadfast.
86. And We admitted them into Our mercy, for they were of the righteous

Here, Prophet Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ is grouped with two other renowned Prophets, Idris عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ and Ismael عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ. And in the next verse, it is also established that all the three were the righteous persons.

The name of Prophet Dhul-Kifl is again mentioned in Surah Sad, along with other Prophets, narrating them as the best, chosen, and excellent persons. Verses 45-48 of Surah Sad narrate this as under:

Translation

45. And remember Our servants — Abraham, Isaac and Jacob — they were endowed with great strength and vision
46. Verily We exalted them in consideration of a sterling quality: their remembrance of the Abode of the Hereafter
47. In Our sight they are among the chosen and excellent ones.
48. And remember Ishmael, Elisha, and Dhu al-Kifl. All were of the best

Based on these verses, a vast majority of the earlier Islamic Commentators are of the firm belief that Dhul-Kifl was a Prophet.

Traditions About the Character and Qualities of Prophet Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ

According to some traditions, a story is narrated about the personality, character, and qualities of the Prophet Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ.

When the Prophet Al-Yasa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was in the last phase of his life, he wanted to appoint someone as his successor. He gathered his followers and announced that he would like to appoint his successor, who could take along my teachings, as I am quite old now. But that person must possess the following three qualities:

• He should be fasting during the days around the year.
• He should be remembering Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ and praying during the nights, round the year.
• He should be the one who never loses his temper.

No one turned up except a relatively unknown person. The Prophet asked him whether he fulfilled all three conditions. He replied, yes. But the Prophet Al-Yasa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ did not agree with his claim. After a few days, the Prophet again assembled his followers and repeated the same announcement. Again, the same person (believed to be Prophet Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) came up with the claim that he meets all the three conditions. Prophet Al-Yasa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ agreed and appointed him as his deputy. But he simultaneously asked some of his close companions to test his capabilities and claims. They tried but found him firm on his character and qualities.

Then, the Iblis came into action. On the other hand, the man appointed as deputy to the Prophet Yasa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ had developed a habit of taking a nap during the afternoon to recollect his energies, as he used to spend the nights in worships. One day, when he was about to nap, Iblis came to him, asking to help him provide justice against his enemies. He stretched his chat so long that the time of taking a nap was exhausted. He asked Iblis to come to his Court tomorrow so he could be administered the justice. But he did not come up. This was repeated two to three times, but he never came to the Court.

At this point in time, he realized that the man asking for justice was Satan, Iblis. The man (believed to be the Prophet Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) asked him, aren’t you the enemy of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ. He confessed and said that he was trying to test his temper and admitted that he was unable to make him angry.

Though this is a story or tradition narrated by earlier scholars, it exhibits the character, personality, and qualities of the Prophet Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ.

The Tomb of Prophet Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ

Although no authentic information about the life and death of the Prophet Dhul-Kifl is available, at least two sites are claimed as his burial place. One is situated in Dezful, a city in Iran. This site is believed to be the burial place of Ezekiel. So, those who believe that Dhul-Kifl and Ezekiel are the same persons refer to this site as the tomb of the Prophet Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ.

The other site, which seems to be more relevant, is situated in the city of Ergani, in the province of Diyarbakir, Turkey. The place is situated on a hilltop, some 5 kilometers away from the city of Ergani, and is more commonly known as Makam Dagi.

However, there is no authentic and reliable evidence available about the death and burial place of the Prophet Dhul-Kifl عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ.