lKifl

lKifl, commonly rendered as Dhu al-Kifl (Arabic: ذو الكفل), is a figure mentioned in Islamic tradition and the Qur’an. The name appears in verses that describe a righteous, patient man, but the Qur’anic text offers limited biographical detail, leaving the exact identity of Dhu al-Kifl open to interpretation by scholars and commentators.

Identity among scholars is not settled. Some identify Dhu al-Kifl with the biblical prophet Ezekiel (Hizkiel), suggesting a link between Islamic and Judeo-Christian prophetic narratives. Others view Dhu al-Kifl as a distinct prophetic figure or as a highly regarded pious person within the broader prophetic lineage. In Sunni and Shia traditions alike, opinions vary, with no unanimous consensus on whether he was a nabi (prophet), a wali (friend of God), or a noble figure of patience.

Etymology and meaning of the name are debated. The element kifl has been variously interpreted as a title, a reference to some attribute, or a linguistic form whose exact sense is uncertain. Because of sparse canonical detail, much of the understanding of lKifl rests on later exegesis and Islamic historical tradition rather than on a single, definitive source.

Geographically, there are pilgrimage and shrine associations in some places, including sites identified as al-Kifl in modern Iraq. These sites are part of local devotional practice and are not universally recognized as canonical religious anchors, but they reflect the enduring cultural memory of the figure.

In literary and ethical contexts, Dhu al-Kifl is often cited as a model of patience and steadfastness in the face of trials.