Ala-Maududi
(21:85) And (We bestowed the same favour) upon Ishmael, Idris[80] and Dhu
al-Kifl,[81] for they were all steadfast.
80. For explanation, see (Surah Maryam, ayat
56) note 33.
81. Zul-Kifl is not the name but the title of a righteous man, which literally means a man of
luck. Here it does not refer to worldly prosperity but to his high character and ranks in the
Hereafter. He has also been mentioned by this title in (Surah Suad, Ayat 48). There are different
opinions about his identity and nationality. Some have regarded him as Zacharias but this is not
correct because Zacharias has been mentioned separately in (Surah Al-Anbiya, ayat 89). Others
say that he was Elias, or Joshua, son of Nun, or Elisha, but this again is incorrect, because in
(Surah Suad, Ayat 49) Elisha and Zul-Kifl
have been mentioned as separate personalities. Some others say that he was Prophet Job’s son,
named Bishr, who succeeded him as Prophet.
Allamah Alusi says: The Jews claim that he was Ezekiel who was appointed to Prophethood during
the captivity (597 BC) of the Israelites and he performed his mission in a habitation by the
side of the Chebar canal.
These conflicting opinions indeed confirm nothing. The modern commentators, however, are inclined
to believe that he was Ezekiel, though there is no convincing argument about it. This opinion is
sound because his description in this verse that he was a patient and righteous man and was
blessed by God is fully confirmed by the Book of Ezekiel. He was one of those people who had
been taken prisoner by Nebuchadnezzer at the downfall of Jerusalem, who settled the Israeli
exiles at Tel-abib by the river Chebar in Iraq. Here, in 594 BC, Ezekiel was raised to
Prophethood when he was hardly 30, and he continued preaching the message of God to the exiled
Israelites as well as to the iniquitous people and rulers of Jerusalem for full 22 years. In the
9th year of his mission, his wife whom he called the desire of his eyes died, but when the
people came to mourn her death, he warned them of the wrath of God and the impending disaster.
(Chapter 24: 15-21). The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel in the Bible is one of those scriptures
which appear to be genuine and divinely inspired.
Ala-Maududi
There is no commentary by Abul Maududi available for this verse.