RECORD OF THE PROPHET ZULKEFL.

Divines are at variance concerning the personality of Zulkefl. Some allege that he was Hazkil, others that he was Bashir, the son of Aiûb the patient, whose original name was Bashar. The most correct opinion, however, is that he was the successor of Elisa’, and that Hazkil, as well as Bashar, the son of Aiûb, whose cognomen was likewise Zulkefl, were his predecessors.

It is related in the Asûl Lama’a that he obtained the above epithet because he stood security,* and pledged himself to Elisa’ to induce the children of Esrâil to follow his direction and guidance in studying the Mosaic Law and its commandments. Others state that he was called by this name because he was a courtier of one of the kings of Syria, whose favour he enjoyed in a high degree. This king, having entertained great enmity towards the children of Esrâil, invaded their country on several occasions, captured many, and slew them. Once he sent a division of his brave warriors to attack the children of Esrâil, and after a severe struggle they took nearly one hundred of the learned, the pious, and the great among the Jews, prisoners, and sent them to the king, who desired to exterminate them all. Zulkefl, however, immediately waited upon the king and hindered the execution, saying: ‘It is now late [in the evening], and the time to carry out the judgment has elapsed. If your majesty will entrust this company to my keeping I shall be security, and pledge myself to produce them all on the place of execution in the morning.’ The king then ordered them to be delivered to Zulkefl, who took the children of Esrâil to his house, relieved them of their yokes and fetters, treated them honourably and hospitably, but dismissed them after the repast at midnight. Thus the prisoners escaped from their enemies. Zulkefl, who likewise withdrew himself from the responsibility to, and reproach of, the king, was from that day called by the above cognomen, and exalted, on account of that noble deed, to the dignity of a prophet, thus reaching the highest point of messengership [or apostleship].

Sadr-ud-din Esfahâni narrates in his Muntahab-ul-Ma’arif that the Almighty—w. n. b. e.—sent Zulkefl to one of the A’mâlekite kings, whose name was Kana’an, for the purpose of inviting him to receive the Faith. The king replied: ‘I am conscious of having committed great crimes, and perpetrated many unrighteous acts; but as thou wantest me to accept the religion, I need a proof that my transgressions will be overlooked after my death, and that I shall attain the bliss of paradise. How could I otherwise know whether my profession of religion has been accepted or not?’ Zulkefl agreed to this, and wrote a certificate of security, which he surrendered to him.* The king then retired from the world and engaged in devotions; when he died the above writing was interred with him; the Most High—w. n. b. e.—accepted the security of Zulkefl, and conveyed the said king to the upper regions of paradise, and to the mansions of grace. Many who had seen the writing when the king was about to be buried bore testimony to the prophetic dignity of Zulkefl, were converted, and became Musalmâns; he therefore also gave security to all of them, that they would attain paradise and the company of Hûris and slaves, whereafter this title adhered to him for all time to come. When the period of his departure had arrived, he was, in the company of exalted angels and noble spirits, translated to the highest regions of paradise. His body was interred in a region of Syria.

Verses:This is the way and custom of the world,
It can stop no one from being fugitive.
Countless numbers have ended thus,
The end of numbers has never reached us.