“And Ishmael, Enoch, and Dhul-Kifl—each was among the steadfast.” (85)

Allah, exalted is He, says: “And Ishmael,” meaning the son of Abraham; “and Enoch,” who is Idris; “and Dhul-Kifl—each was among the steadfast” in obeying Allah’s command. The scholars differed concerning Dhul-Kifl.

Ata said: A prophet from among the prophets of the Children of Israel received revelation from Allah: “I intend to take your soul. Therefore, offer your kingdom to the Children of Israel, and whoever undertakes for you to pray throughout the night without slackening, fast throughout the day without breaking his fast, and judge between people without becoming angry, hand your kingdom over to him.” So he did this. A young man stood and said, “I undertake this for you.” He undertook it and fulfilled it, so Allah thanked him for it and made him a prophet. He was therefore called Dhul-Kifl. (1)

Mujahid said: When Elisha grew old, he said, “Would that I appoint a man as my successor over the people, to govern them during my lifetime, so that I may see how he conducts himself.” (2) He gathered the people and said, “Who will accept three conditions from me, so that I may appoint him as my successor: that he fast during the day, stand in prayer at night, and not become angry?” A man whom people looked down upon stood up and said, “I will.” But he turned him away that day. The following day, he said the same thing. The people remained silent, while that man stood and said, “I will.” So he appointed him as his successor.

Then Iblis came to him in the form of a frail old man, just as he had lain down for his midday nap. He would not sleep at night or during the day except for that one sleep. (3) The old man knocked at the door. He asked, “Who is this?” The man replied, “A wronged old man.” He rose and opened the door. The old man said, “There is a dispute between me and my people. They have wronged me, and they did such-and-such,” and he continued at length until it was time to leave and the midday nap had passed. He said, “Come to me when I return, and I shall recover your right for you.” (4) The old man left, and he went out.

While sitting in his assembly, he looked to see whether he could spot the old man, but did not see him. He rose and searched for him. The next day, he sat judging between the people and waited for him, but did not see him. When he returned for his midday nap and lay down, the old man came and knocked at the door. He asked, “Who is this?” He replied, “The wronged old man.” So he opened the door for him. (5) He said, “Did I not tell you to come to me when I was sitting?” The old man replied, “They are the most wicked of people. Whenever they learn that you are sitting, they say, ‘We shall give you your right’; but when I rise, they deny me.” He said, “Go, and come to me when I return.”

Thus he missed his midday nap and went out. He kept looking for the old man but did not see him. Drowsiness became severe for him, so he said to one of his household, “Do not let anyone come near this door until I sleep, for I am sorely in need of sleep.” When that time came, the old man arrived, but the man did not permit him to enter. When he was unable to gain access, he looked and saw an opening in the house, so he climbed in through it. There he was inside the house, knocking on the door from within. He awoke and said, “So-and-so, did I not command you?” The man replied, “No failure occurred on my part; see how he got in.” He went to the door and found it locked exactly as he had locked it, while the man was with him inside the house. The man said, “Do you sleep while litigants are at your door?” Then he recognized him and said, “Are you an enemy...”