Daniel (peace be upon him) was one of the prophets of the Children of Israel, though the exact period in which he lived is uncertain. It is known that he came after the time of Prophet Dawud (David) and before Zakariya and Yahya (John) (peace be upon them). He lived during the era when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem, destroyed it, killed many of the Children of Israel, captured many others, and burned the Torah. Some accounts say Nebuchadnezzar took the younger Daniel captive; others report that he was found dead when Nebuchadnezzar entered Jerusalem. It appears there were two Daniels among the Children of Israel: Daniel the elder and Daniel the younger — and Allah knows best.
Ibn Abi al-Dunya narrated, with his chain of transmission from Abdullah ibn Abi al-Hudhail, that Nebuchadnezzar ordered two lions to be set upon Daniel after throwing him into a pit — but the lions did nothing to him. He remained there as long as Allah willed until he began to feel the natural human need for food and drink. So Allah revealed to Jeremiah, who was one of the prophets of the Children of Israel and was in al-Sham (Greater Syria), to prepare food and drink for Daniel. Jeremiah replied, “My Lord, I am in the Holy Land, and Daniel is in the land of Babylon in Iraq.” But Allah revealed to him, “Prepare what We have commanded you, for We shall send someone to carry you and what you have prepared.” So Jeremiah did as he was commanded. Allah sent an angel who carried Jeremiah and the provisions until he stood above the pit.
Daniel asked, “Who is this?” He replied, “I am Jeremiah.” Daniel said, “What brings you here?” Jeremiah answered, “Your Lord has sent me to you.” Daniel said, “Has my Lord remembered me?” Jeremiah replied, “Yes.” Thereupon Daniel declared: “All praise is due to Allah, who never forgets those who remember Him. All praise is due to Allah, who responds to those who call upon Him. All praise is due to Allah, who never abandons those who trust in Him to anyone else. All praise is due to Allah, who rewards goodness with goodness. All praise is due to Allah, who brings salvation through patience. All praise is due to Allah, who relieves our distress and hardship. All praise is due to Allah, who protects us even when we fear our own deeds. All praise is due to Allah, who is our hope when all means are cut off.”
It became well-known that the noble Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) discovered Daniel’s grave when they conquered the city of Tustar during the caliphate of Amir al-Mu’minin Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him and grant him contentment).
Ibn Abi al-Dunya also narrated, through a sound chain, from Abu al-Zinad who said: “I saw in the hand of Abu Burda ibn Abi Musa al-Ash‘ari a ring whose stone was engraved with an image of two lions with a man between them, and the lions were licking the man. Abu Burda said, ‘This is the ring of that man — the deceased whom the people of this town claim was Daniel. Abu Musa found it on him the day he was buried.’ Abu Burda continued: ‘Abu Musa asked the scholars of that town about the engraving on that ring, and they said: “The king under whose rule Daniel lived was told by astrologers and scholars that a boy would be born who would overthrow and destroy his kingdom. So the king swore that no newborn male would survive that night except that he would be killed. But they took Daniel and cast him into the lions’ den. The lion and the lioness spent the night licking him and did him no harm. His mother found them licking him, and Allah saved him in this way until he grew and reached what he reached.” Abu Musa said: “The scholars of that town said that Daniel engraved his image and the two lions licking him on the stone of his ring so he would never forget Allah’s blessing upon him in that.”’
These narrations are not prohibited under Islamic law, for they fall under the general permission given by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Relate stories from the Children of Israel, and there is no harm in it.”
One Ummah. One platform. One mission.
Your support keeps it alive.
Click here to Donate & Fund your Islamic Independent Platform
