Dhul-Kifl

Of the patient ones

Named among the steadfast and righteous; the one who took on the pledge and kept it.

EraAmong Bani Israil, it is said
PlaceThe lands of the Israelite prophets
Named in the Qur'an2 times

Twice the Qur'an opens its registers of honor and includes a name wrapped in quiet: Dhul-Kifl. With Ismail and Idris he is counted 'of the patient' and admitted 'into Our mercy' (21:85-86); with Ismail and Alyasa he is 'of the excellent' (38:48). His very name means the possessor of a pledge or portion, and the commentators tell of a righteous man who guaranteed to fast the days, stand the nights, and judge the people without anger, and who kept the guarantee.

The Codex keeps to what the Book states: patience, righteousness, mercy, excellence. Some scholars count him a prophet, others a saint among Bani Israil. Either way his lesson is complete: heaven records the keepers of commitments, even when history loses their files.

The Qur'an on it

'And Ismail and Idris and Dhul-Kifl: all were of the patient.'

Qur'an 21:85

'And remember Ismail and Alyasa and Dhul-Kifl: all are among the excellent.'

Qur'an 38:48

In numbers

Named in the Qur'an2 times
His name meansthe keeper of the pledge

The journey

A pledge taken
Patience
Mercy entered
Counted excellent

Read beside it

The words

القُرْآنQur'anThe Qur'an

On the Path

5Idris: Writing, Sewing, Starsإدريس

People beside it

Link 15Harun Link 17Dawud

On the chain of 25 The Path