The story of Prophet Dhul-Kifl is one of the shortest accounts in the Quran, yet it carries a powerful message about patience and keeping one’s word. Allah mentions Dhul-Kifl, peace be upon him, by name only twice, praising him among the patient, the righteous, and the best of His servants. Because the Quran gives few details, scholars have discussed who he was, what his name means, and whether he was a prophet or a righteous man. Exploring these questions helps readers appreciate how Allah honors those who remain steadfast, even when their stories are told in only a few words.
Who Was Dhul-Kifl?
Dhul-Kifl was a man of the Children of Israel whom Allah praised for his patience and righteousness. Most scholars count him among the prophets, and Muslims mention him with the greeting of peace. Key points about him include:
- Arabic name: Dhul-Kifl (ذو الكفل).
- People: the Children of Israel, according to most commentators.
- Era: after the time of Prophet Ayyub, according to several reports.
- Quranic praise: patient, righteous, and among the best.
قال الله تعالى: ﴿وَأَدْخَلْنَاهُمْ فِي رَحْمَتِنَا ۖ إِنَّهُم مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ﴾
(سورة الأنبياء 21:86)
Allah says: “And We admitted them into Our mercy. Indeed, they were among the righteous.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya 21:86)
Dhul-Kifl in the Quran Verses
The Quran mentions Dhul-Kifl in two passages, each time alongside other prophets:
- Surah Al-Anbiya (21:85 to 86): Allah mentions Isma’il, Idris, and Dhul-Kifl, describing them all as patient and admitted into His mercy as righteous servants.
- Surah Sad (38:48): Allah mentions Isma’il, al-Yasa’, and Dhul-Kifl, declaring that all of them are among the best.
Being named in these lists of prophets is one of the strongest indications of his high rank.
Was Dhul-Kifl a Prophet or a Righteous Man?
Scholars have expressed two main opinions on this question, based on the limited information in the Quran:
- The majority view: he was a prophet, since Allah mentions him only in lists of prophets and praises him with their qualities.
- The minority view: he was a righteous man and a just judge, not a prophet, as reported from some early commentators such as Mujahid.
Scholars such as Ibn Kathir considered the first view the more apparent, while acknowledging that Allah knows best.
قال الله تعالى: ﴿وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِدْرِيسَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ ۖ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصَّابِرِينَ﴾
(سورة الأنبياء 21:85)
Allah says: “And remember Isma’il, Idris, and Dhul-Kifl. All were among the patient.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya 21:85)
Meaning of the Name Dhul-Kifl
The name combines dhu, meaning “possessor of,” with kifl, a word with several related meanings in Arabic. Scholars have explained it in different ways:
- A pledge or guarantee: he committed himself to a responsibility and fulfilled it completely.
- A portion or share: he was granted a double share of reward for his devotion.
- Responsibility for others: he guaranteed to handle his people’s affairs and judge between them with justice.
The Story of Prophet Dhul-Kifl in Islamic Narrations
Commentators relate an account, drawn from early narrations, about how Dhul-Kifl earned his name. Its details are not confirmed by authentic hadith, but it is widely mentioned:
- When Prophet al-Yasa’ grew old, he sought a successor who would fast by day, pray by night, and never become angry.
- A young man stood up and pledged to fulfill all three conditions.
- Satan tried to provoke him by visiting him repeatedly during his short midday rest.
- The man remained patient and calm each time, never breaking his pledge.
- Because he fulfilled his guarantee, he became known as Dhul-Kifl.
قال النبي ﷺ: «لَيْسَ الشَّدِيدُ بِالصُّرَعَةِ، إِنَّمَا الشَّدِيدُ الَّذِي يَمْلِكُ نَفْسَهُ عِنْدَ الْغَضَبِ»
(صحيح البخاري، حديث 6114؛ صحيح مسلم 2609)
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The strong person is not the one who defeats others in wrestling. Rather, the truly strong person is the one who controls himself when angry.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 6114; Sahih Muslim 2609)
The Relationship Between Dhul-Kifl and Ayyub
Some early historians linked Dhul-Kifl to the family of Prophet Ayyub, and scholars have reported different opinions:
- One view holds that he was Bishr, the son of Ayyub, sent as a prophet after his father.
- Another view identifies him as the successor of al-Yasa’, with no family tie to Ayyub.
- Many scholars prefer not to fix his identity, since no authentic text confirms it.
What unites both prophets is the quality of patience, which the Quran praises in each of them.
Lessons from the Story of Prophet Dhul-Kifl
The story of Prophet Dhul-Kifl offers meaningful guidance despite its brevity:
- Patience is a quality that Allah loves and rewards.
- Fulfilling promises reflects true faith and integrity.
- Controlling anger is a sign of inner strength.
- A person’s value lies in character, not in fame or detailed records.
Final Thoughts on the Story of Prophet Dhul-Kifl
The story of Prophet Dhul-Kifl shows that a few verses can carry a lasting legacy. His example encourages believers to keep their commitments, restrain their anger, and remain patient in every circumstance.
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Guidance from the Quran and Hadith
قال النبي ﷺ: «آيَةُ الْمُنَافِقِ ثَلَاثٌ: إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ، وَإِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ خَانَ، وَإِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ»
(صحيح البخاري، حديث 2749)
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he lies; when he is entrusted with something, he betrays the trust; and when he makes a promise, he breaks it.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 2749)
قال الله تعالى عن أيوب عليه السلام: ﴿إِنَّا وَجَدْنَاهُ صَابِرًا ۚ نِّعْمَ الْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ﴾
(سورة ص 38:44)
Allah says concerning Ayyub: “Indeed, We found him patient. What an excellent servant! He constantly turned to Us.”
(Surah Sad 38:44)
FAQs
Is Dhul-Kifl the same as Ezekiel?
Some scholars and historians have suggested that Dhul-Kifl is the prophet known in the Bible as Ezekiel, called Hizqil in Arabic. This identification remains only a scholarly possibility, as neither the Quran nor an authentic hadith confirms it with certainty.
Where is the shrine attributed to Dhul-Kifl?
A shrine attributed to Dhul-Kifl stands in the town of al-Kifl in Iraq, between Najaf and Hillah. Local tradition links it to Ezekiel as well, reflecting the view that both names may refer to the same honored prophet of Allah.
Is the hadith of al-Kifl about Dhul-Kifl?
No. Al-Tirmidhi records a narration about a sinful man from the Children of Israel named al-Kifl, who repented before his death. Scholars clarify that he is a different person from Dhul-Kifl, whom Allah praised among the patient and the righteous.
Was Dhul-Kifl the Buddha?
Some modern writers have linked Dhul-Kifl to the Buddha, comparing his name with the city of Kapilavastu. Most Muslim scholars reject this theory, since it relies on linguistic guesswork without any support from the Quran, the Sunnah, or reliable history.
Why does the Quran give so few details about Dhul-Kifl?
The Quran focuses on guidance rather than complete biographies. By praising Dhul-Kifl's patience and righteousness in brief verses, it directs attention to the qualities worth imitating, reminding readers that lasting honor comes from character and obedience, not from detailed histories.