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Dhul-kifl (peace be upon him) was the Prophet of Allah. The Holy
Qur'an has made mention of him in the following two Verses:
And Isma'il and Idris and Dhul-kifl; all were men of constancy
and patience. We admitted them into out mercy because they were
of the righteous ones. (21:85. 86)
And remember Isma'il, Elisha and Dhul-kifl. Each of them was of
the company of the good. (38:48)
Al-Baizawi says that he was so called because he had to do
double the work of the Prophets of his time.
He is identified with Ezekiel of the Bible who was carried away
to Babylon after the destruction of Jerusalem. He was chained
and imprisoned. He bore all hardships with patience and
continued reproving the evil sin the Bani Israel. Ibn Jarir, an
interpreter has narrated an event which throws some light on his
life. When Al-Yasa (peace be upon him) grew old, he wished to
appoint a suitable person as his successor to guide the
Israelites. He declared: Only that person will be considered
competent to become his successor who observes fast during the
day remembers Allah throughout the night and refrains from
flying into a rage. One among the crowd stood up and said: (I
will adhere to all these conditions. The Prophet Al-Yasa (peace
be upon him) repeated these conditions thrice and the same
person promised solemnly to fulfil the conditions. Thereupon he
was appointed as a vicegerent.
After some time he was subjected to a trial. One day the Satan
in the disguise of an old man knocked at his door. He was
allowed to get in. The visitor lodged a complaint against the
cruel treatment of the people towards him. The vicegerent
directed him to come in the evening. He assured the visitor that
all his grievances shall be redressed. He promised but did not
turn up at the appointed time. Next day he came again and
complained as usual. The vicegerent commanded him to come in the
evening. He made a solemn promise to come but did not abide by
it. On the third day he came again and knocked at the door but
it was not opened. The Satan in the disguise of an old man
managed to slip into the room and presented himself before the
vicegerent. He was wonder-struck at the sudden appearance of the
old man. The vicegerent interrogated the visitor. He admitted
that he was Iblis who assumed the likeness of an old man and was
trying to enrage him. He endeavoured to make him back out of his
promise but failed in his mission. Thereupon the vicegerent
became known as Dhul-kifl because he maintained his solemn
promise with the Prophet Al-Yasa (peace be upon him). He
refrained from losing temper though the Satan left no stone
unturned to annoy him. Soon after Allah chose him as His
Prophet.
He commanded the Israelites to wage holy war against those who
made mischief on the earth and opposed the religion of Allah.
His followers, the Israelites refused to carry out his orders
because they were afraid of death. As a retaliation for the
utter disobedience of the Commandment of Allah and His Prophet,
most of the people were overtaken by calamity. Plague broke out
and numerous people died miserably. They deserted their houses
in terror and ran away to save their lives. When they covered
some distance, they heard a dreadful sound and the death
prevailed over them. None remained alive to bury them. The
corpses were putrefied in the scorching heat of the sun. The
Prophet Dhul-kifl (peace be upon him) came out of the seclusion
after seven days. He was overwhelmed with grief to see the
predicament of his followers and supplicated: O' Allah! You have
perished my followers. Take pity on them and give them a new
life. Allah granted the prayer of His Prophet, the dead persons
regained their lives. The Holy Qur'an Affirms:
Have you not thought on those who quitted their dwellings--and
they were thousands for fear of death. Allah said to them: Die!
Then He restored them to life, for full of bounty towards man is
Allah. But most men give not thanks. (2: 280)
Afterwards the Prophet Dhul-kifl (peace be upon him) left his
followers and migrated to Babylon. He died there.
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