The Story of Dhul-Kifl (Peace Be Upon Him): The Prophet of Patience and Fulfillment of Covenant
Sulayman ← Ilyas ← Al-Yasa
Dhul-Kifl ← Yunus ← Zakariya
Successive Prophets
The story of Dhul-Kifl is a model for patience in obedience, excellence in fulfilling a covenant, and judging with justice.
Dhul-Kifl (PBUH) is a Prophet whose story is not detailed in the Qur'an, but he is mentioned with great praise. He was named Dhul-Kifl (Possessor of the Portion/Commitment) because he committed to a covenant or a righteous deed, fulfilled it, and remained patient upon it.
Dhul-Kifl (PBUH): Fulfilling the Covenant and Remembering the Hereafter
Summary of Fulfillment and Virtue
The Naming and Covenant
- Meaning of "Al-Kifl": Portion, share, or commitment
- Most common reason for his naming: His commitment to fast during the day and pray during the night
- The People: No detail is mentioned, but he was one of the Children of Israel
- The Link: Mentioned after Ismail, Idris, and Dhun-Nun (Yunus)
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Status and Reward
- Quranic Description: Among the patient ones (Prophets)
- The Status: Among the excellent ones (Al-Akhyar) and the chosen
- The Awareness: He was aware of the Hereafter before the worldly life
- The Elevation: God admitted him into His Mercy
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Story Details: Fulfillment of the Covenant
The most likely reason for his naming as Dhul-Kifl is that he committed to a difficult righteous deed, which he performed perfectly, or that he committed to reforming his people and judged among them justly. God tested him, and he remained patient in his obedience and judgment until he fulfilled his covenant.
The Great Divine Mention
Despite the brevity of his mention, his inclusion in the context of praising the Prophets indicates his great stature and high rank with God. In Surah Al-Anbiya, he is mentioned with Ismail and Idris, and in Surah Saad, he is mentioned with Ismail and Al-Yasa, and God described him as among the excellent ones (Al-Akhyar).
Key Quranic References:
- Surah Al-Anbiya (The Prophets): Verses 85-86 (Mentioned with the patient and excellent ones)
- Surah Saad: Verse 48 (Mentioned in the context of the Prophets and the excellent ones)
Lessons and Morals Learned:
- Fulfilling Covenants: The greatness of a servant's commitment to what he has covenanted with his Lord.
- Awareness of the Hereafter: Remembering the Hereafter motivates patience in fulfilling obligations.
- Patience: Patience in obedience, especially continuous acts of worship, has a great reward.
The Pivotal Verse:
﴾WaismaAAeela waidreesa watha alkifli kullun mina assabireen﴿ (Al-Anbiya: 85)
Key to the Story: Sincerity in the Covenant
Dhul-Kifl reminds us that true strength is not in fighting and miracles, but in steadfastness in worship and fulfilling the covenant that the servant made with his Lord.
﴾Waadkhalnahum fee rahmatina innahum mina assaliheen﴿ (Al-Anbiya: 86)
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