Dhul-Kifl
From Academic Kids
Dhul-Kifl (Arabic ذو الكفل ) is considered by Muslims to be either a prophet or simply a righteous and just man, mentioned in the Qur'an.
By etymology, the name Dhul-Kifl could mean many things, among which that he protected a prophet from his people, or that he guaranteed upon himself to be a just judge.
Dhul-Kifl is mentioned in the following Qur'anic verse:
"And (remember) Ismail (Ishmael) and Idris (Enoch) and Dhul-Kifl, all were from among those who observe patience." (Surah 21: 85-86)
The most common view is that the man referred to as Dhul-Kifl was a righteous and just man, and not a prophet. On the other hand, some Muslims believe him to be the same person as Gautama Buddha, taking 'Kifl' to be the Arabic pronunciation of Kapilvastu, a place where he spent 30 years of his life, and use this as evidence to describe the Buddha as a prophet. Others believe he may have been the prophet who is called Ezekiel by the Christians.
