This portion of Al-Kitab emphasizes the gift of consolation and encouragement God gives to his people. It is named after the prophet through whom its message was revealed, Prophet Dhul-kifl, also known as Ezekiel or Hizqil. Prophet Dhul-kifl delivered his message to the Jews who were living in exile in Babylon. The exiled Jews believed that they would soon be able to return to the city of Jerusalem. But Prophet Dhul-kifl told them they must first return to God. He talks about the sins of the Jews and warns them that God will not only exile them but also destroy Jerusalem as a judgment. Secondly, Prophet Dhul-kifl warns the Middle Eastern nations who were neighbours to the Jews, that God will punish them for their idolatry and for their poor treatment of the Jews. Thirdly, Prophet Dhul-kifl reveals that the day is coming when the exiles will return from bondage and be one nation again, as they were when Prophet Dawud was king of Israel. When the people repent of their sins, God will send his own Spirit to live within them. One day AL-MASIH (the Messiah), God’s chosen King and Saviour will come to his people and will destroy their last enemy. Once again, the Holy House of Sulayman in Jerusalem will be rebuilt and the visible glory of God will return to the Holy House. A key phrase of Dhul-kifl is found in chapter 6, verse 14, “and they shall know that I am YAHWEH.”1 This phrase occurs over 30 times in Dhul-kifl.
- YAHWEH is God’s Name revealed to Prophet Musa in the Taurat, Exodus 3:15 – God said moreover to Musa, “You shall tell Bani-Israel this, ‘YAHWEH, the God of your fathers, the God of Ibrahim, the God of Ishaq, and the God of Yaqub, has sent me to you.’ This is my Name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered to all generations.” ↩︎