Introduction:
This blog is going to talk about The Story of prophet Dhul-Kifl. The Story of prophet Dhul-Kifl is very interesting. Prophet Dhul-kifl was the son of prophet Ayyoub. His name was originally Bishr. Allah sent him as a prophet after prophet Ayyub. Therefore, Ayyoub called and named him Dhul-Kifl because Bishr vowed to take care of his people and work as their judge. He would rule between them with justice. Truly, the Holy Quran did not mention anything about his message or prophethood. Also, the Holy Quran did not mention the people to whom Allah sent him. In addition, the Holy Quran did not talk about him in brief or in detail.
Prophet
Was Dhul-kifl a prophet or not?:
Scholars varied in their opinions about whether Dhul -Kifl was a prophet or not. So, some scholars said that he was just a good man and a good judge who vowed to rule among his people with justice. On the other hand, others said that he was a prophet. This was correct. The Holy Quran praised him in the same way it praised all the prophets of Allah. Telling the story of prophets Ayyoub, Ismail, Idris and Dhul-Kifl that they were all patient. . Allah also said after metioning Ayyub: ((“And mention our servants Ibrahim, Ishaq and Yaqub the prophets with the good hands and insights. We have characterized them with good qualities with which they will be always remembered in this worldly life. Moreover, they are for us the chosen ones. And mention Ismail, Iljasa’ and Dhul-Kifl, they are all among the good ones”)). surah saad (ayah)
وَٱذْكُرْ إِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَٱلْيَسَعَ وَذَا ٱلْكِفْلِ ۖ وَكُلٌّۭ مِّنَ ٱلْأَخْيَارِ
Dhul-kifl used to fast, pray and not be angry:
The above mentioned prophets were praised for their good morals and piety. They did the best deeds. When Dhul-Kifl grew old, he went to his people and told them that he wanted to appoint a successor for him. He wanted to see how that successor would behave before the death of Dhul-Kifl. Therefore, Dhul-Kifl summoned all his people and asked them. He wanted to know which one to choose as a successor. He would choose the one who agrees to do three things. First, he should go fasting during daytime; second, he should pray all night long. Third, he should never get angry. A man stood up and said that he could do these three things. He tried the man for three days. Finally, he appointed him.
وَاذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتَابِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَبِيًّا، وَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُ بِالصَّلَاةِ
وَالزَّكَاةِ وَكَانَ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِ مَرْضِيًّا”
A dialogue between Satan and Dhul-kifl:
The devil kept watching Dhul-Kifl. Satan told his assistants to watch over Dhul-Kifl. They went on tempting him till they got tired of it. Satan said leave him to me. Satan appeared to him in the image of a poor old man. He went to Dhul-Kifl the moment he went to sleep for a nap. Dhul-Kifl would only take that nap by day. Dhul-Kifl heard a knock at the door. Therefore, he said who is it? Satan replied that he was an old poor man. Dhul-Kifl rose and opened the door. He received Satan who began to tell him fake stories. He claimed that his people wronged him.
“قَالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ * إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُخْلَصِينَ”
The trick of the devil:
The devil went on playing games with Dhul-Kifl. This was to annoy & disturb him and drive him irritable to lose his cool. Disguised as an old man, the devil insisted on complaining to Dhul-Kifl. So, Dhul-Kifl vowed to restore the old man’s rights if any. However, whenever Dhul-Kifl wanted to take a nap, the devil came to Dhul-Kifl on purpose. Many days later and after great trouble, Dhul-Kifl discovered the truth and the trick. Dhul-Kifl knew it was the devil. When he asked the devil why he did so, the devil told him that he wanted to test the limits of his patience. It was clear that Dhul-Kifl was truly a patient and pious man.
“وَٱصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِۚ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُ فِى ضَيْقٍ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ”
