[1][2][3][4] Dhu al-Kifl is believed to have been exalted by Allah to a high station in life and is chronicled in the Qur'an as a man of the "Company of the Good".
[5] Although not much is known of Dhu al-Kifl from other historical sources, all the writings from classical commentators, such as Ibn Ishaq and Ibn Kathir, speak of Dhu al-Kifl as a prophetic, saintly man who remained faithful in daily prayer (Arabic: صلاة, romanized: salah) and worship (Arabic: عبادة, romanized: 'ibādah).
[6] A tomb in the Ergani province of Diyarbakir, Turkey is believed by some to be the resting place of Prophet Dhu al-Kifl.
In conformity with the two parts of his book, his personality and his preaching are alike, and the title Dhu al-Kifl means "the one to double" or "to fold."
In a story repeated in a fragment from the Cairo Geniza and a work by the 12th century Jewish scholar Moses ben Jacob of Coucy, the tomb of Ezekiel is at al-Kifl and was visited by Jews.
In a burning passage he denounces false leaders in words which are eternally true: "Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves!
The Iraqi authorities assert that in 1316 (715–16 AH), the Il khan Öljaitü acquired the rights of guardianship over the tomb of Dhu al-Kifl from the Jewish community.
Öljaitü added to the structure by building a mosque and a minaret and restored the shrine, implementing some alterations made clear by comparing its present state with pre-Ilkhanid travelers' descriptions.
[16] Dhu al-Kifl has also been identified variously with Joshua, Obadiah,[17] Isaiah,[18][17] and even Gautama Buddha.