Is he a Prophet?
Allah the Almighty declared:
" Remember Ishmael and Idris and Dhul Kifl, all were from among those who observe patience." (Ch 21:85-86)
Immediately following Job's story in the Qur'an, Almighty Allah also directed: "Remember Our slaves, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (all) owners of strength (in worshipping Us) and also of religious understanding. Verily, We did choose them by granting them (a good thing) the remembrance of the home (in the Hereafter and they used to make the people remember it and also they used to invite the people to obey Allah and to do good deeds for the Hereafter). And they are in Our Sight, verily of the chosen and the best! Remember Ishmael, Elisha, and Dhul Kifl all are among the best." (Ch 38:45-48)
It is obvious from his being mentioned and praised in the Glorious Quran along with those other prophets that Dhul - Kifl was also a prophet. However, some of the Quranic commentators assumed that he was not a prophet but that he was righteous and strictly just.
The meaning of Dhul Kifl
Ibn Jarir narrated that he was not a prophet but he was a righteous man. He supported his people to suffice their needs and administered justice among them. That is why he was called Dhul - Kifl. (Dhul - Kifl literally means "possessor of, or giving, a double requital or portion".)
(From 'Stories of the Prophets' by Imam Ibn Kathir)
Stories of the Prophets 01- Prophet Adam (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 02 - Prophet Idris (Enoch) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 03 - Prophet Nuh (Noah) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 04 - Prophet Hud (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 05 - Prophet Salih (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 06 - Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 07 - Prophet Isma'il (Ishmael) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 08 - Prophet Ishaq (Isaac) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 09 - Prophet Yacub (Jacob) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 10 - Prophet Lut (Lot) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 11 - Prophet Shu'aib (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 12 - Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 13 - Prophet Ayoub (Job) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 14 - Prophet Dhul-Kifl (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 15 - Prophet Yunus (Jonah) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 16 - Prophets Musa (Moses) (a.s.) and Harun (Aaron) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 17 - Prophet Hizqeel (Ezekiel) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 18 - Prophet Elyas (Elisha) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 19 - Prophet Shammil (Samuel) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 20 - Prophet Dawud (David) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 21 - Prophet Sulaiman (Solomon) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 22 - Prophet Shia (Isaiah) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 23 - Prophet Aramaya (Jeremiah) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 24 - Prophet Daniel (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 25 - Prophet Uzair (Ezra) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 26 - Prophet Zakariyah (Zechariah) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 27 - Prophet Yahya (John) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 28 - Prophet Isa (Jesus) (a.s.)
Stories of the Prophets 29 - Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)