14. HAZRAT DHUL-KIFL ( علیہ السلام )
Hazrat Zul Kifil (علیہ السلام )
Quran Majeed mein aap ka tazkirah
Allah Ta’ala ne surah Anbiya mein Hazrat Ayyob (علیہ السلام ) ka waqea bayan karne kay baad farmaya:
وَاِسْمٰعِيْلَ وَاِدْرِيْسَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ ۭ كُلٌّ مِّنَ الصّٰبِرِيْنَ 85ښوَاَدْخَلْنٰهُمْ فِيْ رَحْمَتِنَا ۭ اِنَّهُمْ مِّنَ الصّٰلِحِيْنَ 86
“Aur (Ae Nabi!) Ismaeel aur Idrees aur Zul Kifil (ko bhi yaad karo) yeh sab sabar karne wale thay aur ham ne un ko apni rahmat mein dakhil kiya. Bilashuba woh sab nekukaar thay.” (Al Anbiya: 21/85-86)
Surah Saad mein bhi Hazrat Ayyob (علیہ السلام ) kay waqea kay baad irshad hai:
وَاذْكُرْ عِبٰدَنَآ اِبْرٰهِيْمَ وَاِسْحٰقَ وَيَعْقُوْبَ اُولِي الْاَيْدِيْ وَالْاَبْصَارِ 45 اِنَّآ اَخْلَصْنٰهُمْ بِخَالِصَةٍ ذِكْرَى الدَّارِ 46ۚوَاِنَّهُمْ عِنْدَنَا لَمِنَ الْمُصْطَفَيْنَ الْاَخْيَارِ 47ۭوَاذْكُرْ اِسْمٰعِيْلَ وَالْيَسَعَ وَذَا الْكِفْلِ ۭ وَكُلٌّ مِّنَ الْاَخْيَارِ 48ۭ
“Aur hamare bando Ibrahim aur Ishaq aur Yaqoob ko yaad karo jo quwwat aur baseerat wale thay. Ham ne un ko aik (siffat) khas (aakhrat kay) ghar ki yaad say mamtaaz kiya tha aur woh hamare nazdeek muntakhab aur nek logon mein say thay. Aur Ismaeel aur Al Yasa aur Zul Kifil ko yaad karo, Woh sab nek logon mein say thay.” (Saad: 38/45-48)
Quran Majeed mein Anbiya-e-Kiraam kay sath aur tareefi kalimaat kay sath aap ka zikr karne say maloom hota hai keh Zul Kifil Nabi thay aur yahi mashoor thay. Baaz ulama ka kehna hai keh aap Nabi nahi thay balkeh aik nek aadmi aur insaaf pasand haakim thay. Allamaa Ibn-e-Jareer (رحمہ اللہ) ne is masla mein tawaqquf farmaya hai aur kisi pehlu ko tarjeeh nahi di.
Hazrat Mujahid ( رحمہ اللہ) say riwayat hai, Unhon ne farmaya: “Aap Nabi nahi thay, Balkeh nek aadmi thay. Aap ne apni qoum ki rahnumayi ki aur un mein insaaf karne ki zimma daari uthayi thi, Isi liye woh Zul Kifil (zimma daari uthane wale) kay naam say mashoor howe.”
Hazrat Mujahid (رحمہ اللہ) say riwayat hai, Unhon ne bayan kiya hai keh jab Hazrat Yasa (رحمہ اللہ) bodhe hogaye to aap ne farmaya: “Kitna acha ho keh mein apna aik naib muqarrar kar doon,jo meri zindagi mein un par hukoomat kare, Taakeh mein dekh loon keh woh kese kaam karta hai. (agar munasib maloom ho to usay apni wafaat kay baad kay liye apna naib muqarrar kar doon,”) Aap ne logon ko jama kar kay farmaya: “Jo shaks meri taraf say aaid karda teen zimma dariyaan qubool kare ga, Mein usay apna khaleefa muqarrar karoon ga. Woh kaam yeh hain keh din ko roza rakhe, Raat ko qiyaam kare aur ghusa nah kare.”
Aik aadmi, Jo dekhne mein bilkul mamooli sa lagta tha, Utha aur bola, “Mein (zimma dariyaan qubool karta hoon.”) Farmaya: “To din ko roza rakha kare ga, Raat ko qiyaam kiya kare ga aur ghusay mein nahi aaye ga?” Us ne kaha: “Ji haan!” Us din aap ne usay wapis kar diya (aur apna khaleefa naamzad nahi kiya) Dosre din aap ne phir yahi ailaan farmaya. Sab log khamosh rahe. Usi aadmi ne uth kar kaha: “Mein.” Aap ne usay apna khaleefa muqarrar kar diya.
Iblees shetanoo say kehta tha: “Is shaks ko qubool karo.” Lekin sab shetan usay gumraah karne mein aur us say wada kay baraks koi kaam karane mein naa kaam hogaye.
Iblees ne kaha: “Mujhe is (Zul Kafil) say nibatne do.” Who aik intihayi bodha faqeer ban kar aap kay paas us waqt aaya jab aap dopehar kay waqt aaram karne kay liye let gaye thay. Aap din raat mein sirf aik baar us waqt soya karte thay. Us ne darwaza khatkhataya. Aap ne farmaya: “Kon hai?” Us ne kaha: “Aik mazloom zaeef boodha hoon.” AAap ne uth kar darwaza khol diya aur woh apni kahani sunane laga. Us ne kaha: “Mera apni qoum kay logon say jhagda chal raha hai. Unhon ne mujh par zulm kiya aur yeh kiya aur yeh kiya……” Who baat ko tol deta chala gaya hatta keh qailoolay ka waqt guzar gaya aur adalat mein jaane ka waqt ho gaya. Aap ne (bodhe say) farmaya: “Jab mein adalat mein bethoon ga to tujhe tera haq dilwa doon ga.”
Aap adalat mein aa kar apne maqaam par beth gaye. Aap ne idhar udhar dekha magar bodha kahin nazar nah aaya. Agle din bhi aap logon kay muqadmaat sunte aur faisle karte rahe aur us bodhe ka intizaar karte rahe lekin woh nazar nah aaya. Jab aap wapis aakar bistar par qailoolay kay liye lete, To woh aa kar darwaza khatkhatane laga. Aap ne farmaya: “Kon hai?” Us ne kaha: “Wahi mazloom zaeef bodha hoon.” Aap ne darwaza khola aur kaha: “ Mein ne tujhe kaha nahi tha keh jab mein adalat mein bethoon ga to mere paas aana?” Us ne kaha: “Woh bade khabees log hain, Unhain jab pata chala keh aap adalat mein tashreef le gaye hain to mujhe kehne lage: Ham tujhe tera haq de dain ge. Jab aap ne adalat barkhast ki, Woh mukar gaye.” Aap ne farmaya: “Ab chala jaa jab mein adalat mein jaaon ga, Tab aa jaana.”
Is tarah aap us din bhi qailoola nah kar sake. Aap adalat mein gaye aur us ka intizaar karte rahe. Lekin woh nazar nah aaya. Aap kay liye neend par qabu pana mushkil ho gaya to aap ne ghar waloon say kaha: “Mujhe sakht neend aa rahi hai. Tum kisi ko darwaze kay qareeb nah aane dena, Mein zara so loon.”
Us waqt woh bodha aagaya. Darwaze par mojood aadmi ne kaha: “Pechay raho, Pechay raho.” Us ne kaha: “Mein kal bhi un ki khidmat mein haazir howa tha aur apna masla pesh kiya tha.” Aadmi ne kaha: “Hargiz nahi! Qasam hai Allah ki! Aap ka hukum hai keh ham kisi ko qareeb nah aane dain.”
Jab us ne dekha keh is tarah aap tak pohnchna mushkil hai to idhar udhar dekha. Usay kamre mein aik roshan daan nazar aaya. Woh upper chadh kar us mein say kamre mein dakhil ho gaya aur andar say darwaza khatkhatane laga. Aap ki aankh khul gayi to (darbaan ko) aawaz di. “Ae fulaan! Kiya mein ne tujhe hukum nahi diya tha (keh usay kuch arsay kay liye rok lena.”)
Us ne kaha: “Yeh shaks meri taraf say nahi aaya, Aap hi dekhain keh kidhar say aaya hai?” Aap ne uth kar darwaza dekha to woh andar ki taraf say isi tarah band tha jis tarah aap ne band kiya tha, Us kay bawjood bodha kamre mein mojood tha. Tab aap ne pehchan liya aur farmaya: “Kiya tu Allah ka dushman (shetaan) hai?” Us ne kaha: “Haan! Aap ne meri har koshish na kaam bana di thi. Is liye mein ne aap ko ghussa mein laane kay liye yeh sab kiya.”
Isi waja say Allah Ta’ala ne aap ka naam “Zul Kifil” rakha. Kiyu keh aap ne aik zimma daari uthayi aur usay nibha kar dikhaya.
Hazrat Abu Musa Ash’ari (رضی اللہ عنہ) ne minbar par khade ho kar yeh irshad farmaya: “Zul Kifil Nabi nahi thay, Lekin aik nek aadmi thay jo rozana so namazain padha karte thay.” (ghaliban do so rakaat nafil padhna muraad hai. Wallahu A’lam)
Zul Kifil ne us (Yasa) say wada kiya keh us ki wafaat kay baad woh yeh silsila jaari rakhain ge chunancha aap rozana so namazain padha karte thay. Isi liye aap ka naam “ Zul Kifil” (zimma daari uthane aur nibhane wale) mashhoor ho gaya.” (Tafseer Ibn-e-Jareer Al Tabri: 10/98) Tafseer Ibn-e-Kaseer: 5/319, Tafseer surah Anbiya, Ayat: 85)
REFERENCE:
Book: “Qasas ul Anbiya” (Urdu)
By Hafiz Ibn Kaseer Rahimahullah.
HAZRAT DHUL-KIFL ( علیہ السلام )
The Mention of Hazrat Zul Kifl (AS) in the Quran
Allah Almighty mentions Hazrat Zul Kifl (AS) in the Quran along with other prophets and righteous individuals. After narrating the story of Hazrat Ayub (AS) in Surah Anbiya, Allah says:
“And (mention) Ismail and Idris and Zul Kifl; all were of the patient. And We admitted them into Our mercy. Indeed, they were of the righteous.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya: 21:85-86)
Similarly, in Surah Saad, after narrating the story of Hazrat Ayub (AS), Allah states:
“And remember Our servants, Ibrahim, Ishaq, and Yaqoob—those of strength and vision. Indeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality: remembrance of the home (of the Hereafter). And indeed, they are, to Us, among the chosen and outstanding. And remember Ismail, Al-Yasa, and Zul Kifl, and all are among the best.”
(Surah Saad: 38:45-48)
These verses suggest that Zul Kifl (AS) was a prophet due to his mention alongside other prophets and the praise given to him. However, some scholars believe that Zul Kifl was not a prophet but rather a righteous and just man. Imam Ibn Jarir al-Tabari (RA) remained neutral on the matter, neither affirming nor denying his prophethood.
The Story of Zul Kifl (AS)
It is narrated from Hazrat Mujahid (RA) that Zul Kifl (AS) was not a prophet but a righteous man who took on the responsibility of guiding his people and administering justice among them. Due to this, he became known as “Zul Kifl,” which means “the one who takes responsibility.”
According to a narration, when Hazrat Al-Yasa (AS) became old, he wished to appoint a successor to lead his people. He gathered them and said:
*“Whoever takes on three responsibilities, I will make him my successor. These are:
- Fasting during the day.
- Standing in prayer at night.
- Refraining from anger.”*
Among those present, a man who appeared to be quite ordinary stood up and said:
“I accept these responsibilities.”
Hazrat Al-Yasa (AS) asked him:
“Will you fast during the day, pray at night, and not let anger overtake you?”
The man replied:
“Yes, I will.”
Initially, he was not appointed. However, when the same man presented himself on the following day and affirmed his commitment, Hazrat Al-Yasa (AS) appointed him as his successor.
The Test by Iblees
After becoming a leader, Zul Kifl (AS) fulfilled his duties with patience, righteousness, and steadfastness. However, Iblees (Satan) was determined to mislead him. He assigned his devils to tempt and anger Zul Kifl (AS), but they failed. Finally, Iblees himself disguised as an old, oppressed man and approached Zul Kifl (AS) at a time when he usually rested, knocking on his door.
Zul Kifl (AS) opened the door and asked:
“Who are you?”
The man replied:
“I am a poor old man who has been wronged by my people. They have oppressed me, and I need justice.”
Despite being tired, Zul Kifl (AS) listened to his complaint and promised to resolve the matter during court hours. However, the old man continued to disturb Zul Kifl (AS) whenever he tried to rest.
Finally, Zul Kifl (AS) became suspicious. One day, he instructed his household to ensure that no one disturbed him while he rested. Even then, the old man managed to sneak into his room through a window. Zul Kifl (AS) realized that this was no ordinary man and said:
“Are you the enemy of Allah (Iblees)?”
Iblees confessed, saying:
“Yes, it is me. I tried everything to make you break your promise or get angry, but I failed.”
Why He Was Called “Zul Kifl”
Zul Kifl (AS) earned his title because he took on a heavy responsibility and fulfilled it with patience and dedication. He fasted during the day, prayed at night, and controlled his temper, fulfilling the commitments he made to Hazrat Al-Yasa (AS).
A Narration About His Worship
It is reported from Hazrat Abu Musa Ash’ari (RA) that Zul Kifl (AS) was not a prophet but a righteous man who would perform 100 voluntary prayers every day. He remained steadfast in his worship and responsibilities, which earned him the title “Zul Kifl” (The One Who Took Responsibility).
This story demonstrates the exemplary patience, justice, and steadfastness of Zul Kifl (AS). Whether a prophet or not, he serves as a role model for believers in fulfilling responsibilities and remaining devoted to Allah.
REFERENCE:
Book: “Qasas ul Anbiya” (Urdu)
By Hafiz Ibn Kaseer Rahimahullah.
English Transleted & adapted by Umme Abdul Rahman.