Prophet Dhul-Kifl (peace be upon him)

Dhul-Kifl in the Quran

Dhul-Kifl (peace be upon him) is mentioned twice in the Quran, both times in the company of other distinguished prophets. In Surah Al-Anbiya, Allah says: "And [mention] Ismail, Idris, and Dhul-Kifl — all were of the patient. And We admitted them into Our mercy. Indeed, they were of the righteous" (21:85–86). In Surah Sad, he appears again: "And remember Our servants Ismail, Alyasa, and Dhul-Kifl, and all are among the outstanding" (38:48).

That Allah groups Dhul-Kifl with Ismail, Idris, and Alyasa — prophets of recognized virtue and endurance — is itself a powerful testimony to his rank. The Quran praises him with two qualities: patience (sabr) and righteousness (salah), and describes him among the "outstanding" (akhyar), a term reserved for those of the highest distinction before Allah.

The Meaning of His Name

The name Dhul-Kifl literally means "the possessor of the kifl." Classical scholars differed over what kifl signifies. Some interpreted it as a portion or share, suggesting he was granted a double portion of reward. Others understood it as a guarantee or pledge, implying he undertook a solemn covenant with Allah or his people and fulfilled it completely. A third view holds that kifl refers to a region or land where he carried out his mission.

Ibn Jarir al-Tabari records multiple opinions in his Jami al-Bayan, noting that some of the early authorities (salaf) said Dhul-Kifl was called by this name because he guaranteed (takaffala) the care of a certain number of people and fulfilled that pledge. Al-Qurtubi in al-Jami li-Ahkam al-Quran similarly presents the range of interpretations without settling on a single definitive meaning, a reflection of the scholarly humility that characterizes the classical tradition when dealing with matters where the text does not specify.

His Identity Among the Scholars

The precise historical identity of Dhul-Kifl has been a matter of scholarly discussion. Several opinions exist in the classical literature:

The majority view holds that Dhul-Kifl was a prophet. This is supported by his placement in the Quran alongside confirmed prophets and the general Quranic context of both passages, which enumerate messengers and prophets whom Allah favored.

Some scholars suggested he may correspond to the Biblical figure Ezekiel (Hizqil), a prophet mentioned in Jewish tradition who was sent to the Israelites. Ibn Kathir discusses this possibility in Qisas al-Anbiya but exercises caution, noting the absence of definitive textual evidence linking the two.

A minority view, attributed to Abu Musa al-Ash'ari and Mujahid ibn Jabr among others, held that Dhul-Kifl was not a prophet but a righteous servant of Allah — a pious king or judge who was granted the title for his justice and reliability. However, the stronger position, held by the majority of exegetes, is that the Quranic context clearly places him among the prophets.

Ibn Kathir concluded his discussion by affirming Dhul-Kifl's prophethood while acknowledging the scarcity of detailed reports about his life, mission, and the people to whom he was sent.

Lessons from the Quranic Mention

The brevity of Dhul-Kifl's mention in the Quran carries its own lesson. Allah tells His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him): "And We have already sent messengers before you. Among them are those [whose stories] We have related to you, and among them are those [whose stories] We have not related to you" (40:78). The Quran is a book of guidance, not an exhaustive historical chronicle. It mentions from the stories of the prophets what serves the purpose of admonition, patience, and steadfastness.

From the two brief passages, we learn that Dhul-Kifl embodied patience — the quality most tested in prophets, who endured rejection, hardship, and loneliness in calling their people to Allah. We learn that he was admitted into Allah's mercy, the ultimate success that renders worldly fame irrelevant. And we learn that he was among the outstanding, a designation that places him in the company of the finest human beings who ever lived.

His Place in Islamic Tradition

Though authentic hadith literature does not contain extensive narrations about Dhul-Kifl, his Quranic mention is sufficient to establish his honor. Muslims affirm his prophethood, send peace upon him as they do upon all prophets, and accept that the details of his mission are part of the knowledge that Allah retained.

A narration recorded by Imam Ahmad and others describes a righteous man who guaranteed certain acts of worship and fulfilled them, earning the title Dhul-Kifl. Scholars have differed on the authenticity and applicability of this narration, and caution is warranted in building doctrine upon it.

What remains beyond dispute is the Quran's own witness: Dhul-Kifl was a servant of Allah, patient in trial, righteous in deed, admitted into divine mercy, and counted among the outstanding. For the believer, that testimony from the Lord of all creation is more than sufficient.