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Daniel (Arabic: دانيال, Dānyāl) is usually considered by Muslims in general to have been a prophet and according to Shia Muslim hadith he was a prophet. Although he is not mentioned in the Qur'an,^[1] nor in hadith of Sunni Islam, Sunni Muslim reports of him are taken from Isra'iliyyat, which bear his name and which refer to his time spent in the den of the lions.^[2] There are debates, however, that go on about Daniel's time of preaching and while in reports of Shia Islam from the Shia Imams he is considered as a prophet,^[3] some Muslims from other branches of Islam believe that he was not a prophet but a saintly man. Some Muslim records suggest that a book regarding apocalyptic revelations was found in a coffin, which is supposed to have contained the remains of Daniel, which was brought to light at the time of the Muslim conquest of Tustar, and buried again at the request of Umar.^[4]

Background

Muslim tradition has retained some records of the two figures named Daniel in the Hebrew Bible: the first being the sage of ancient times mentioned by Ezekiel^[5] and the second being the visionary who lived at the time of the captivity in Babylon, whose life was chronicled in the Book of Daniel, canonized in the current Hebrew Bible. The first figure is referred to as "Daniel the Elder" in Muslim writing, whilst the second figure is referred to as Daniel. Daniel's character in Muslim legend has shaped the figure in a similar way to that of the prophet Idris,^[6] as he is considered to have been a revealer of future mysteries, coupled with one who excelled in scientific matters.^[7] However, other scholars reject the differentiating and treat both Daniel the Elder and Daniel as one and the same.^[8] Also Ibn Tayymiyyah in his book Al Jawaab as Saheeh writes a lot about Daniel writing and foretelling Muhammad^[9]

Daniel in Muslim literature

Muslim tradition recounts that it was Daniel who preached in Babylon, exhorting the people to return to God. He lived during the reign of Cyrus, and taught this prince the unity of God and the true religion of Islam.^[10] Key events from Daniel's life which are recounted in exegesis are the presence of Daniel and his companions in the court of Nebuchadnezzar; Nebuchadnezzar's dreams; the friction between Daniel and his detractors and his miraculous delivery from the den of the lions; and Belshazzar's feast and the deciphering of the mysterious writing.^[11] Other events from the Book of Daniel, such as Susanna and the Elders, play no part in tradition.

One legend that is not found in Jewish tradition but appears in Muslim writings is that of Jeremiah meeting Daniel. A similar event involving Habakkuk and Daniel, however, is to be found in Lives of the Prophets.^[12] Ibn Abi Al-Dunya narrated the following, based on a chain of citations:

Nebuchadnezzar captured two lions and threw them into a pit. He then brought Danyal and threw him at them; yet they did not pounce at him; rather, he remained as God wished. When then he desired food and drink, God revealed to Jeremiah, who was in Sham: "Prepare food and drink for Danyal." He said: "O Lord I am in Jerusalem while Danyal is in Babylon." God revealed to him: "Do what I have commanded you to do, and I shall send you one who will carry you and what you have prepared." Jeremiah did so and God sent him something that would carry him until he arrived at the brink of the pit. Then Danyal asked: "Who is this?" He answered: "I am Jeremiah." He asked: "What brought you?" He answered: "Your Lord sent me to you." He said: "And so my Lord has remembered me?" He said: "Yes." Danyal said: "Praise be to God Who has never forgotten me! And Praise be to God Who never forgets those who appeal to Him! And Praise be to Him Who compensates good with good, rewards patience with safety, dispels harm after distress, assures us when we are overwhelmed, and is our hope when skill fails us."

Danyal also appears in The Thousand and One Nights. On Night 394, in the tale of ‘The Pious Jewish Woman’ he appears as a 12-year-old boy who mediates in the case of a woman falsely accused of adultery. The book refers to him as a prophet.

In Shia Islam

Once one of the close companions of the 6th Shia Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq known as Jabir al-Ju'fi reported:

I asked the Imam regarding the interpretation of dreams of Danyal? The Imam said: Yes, he was inspired. He was a Prophet and one to whom God had taught the interpretation of dreams. He was truthful, wise...^[13]

A shrine known as Tomb of Daniel in Susa, Iran, is considered by Shia Muslims to be his sacred resting place and is visited by pilgrims.

Bibliography

Emil G. Hirsch and M. Seligsohn (1906), Daniel, Jewish Encyclopedia; citing:
- Tabari, Chronigue (French transl. by Zotenberg), i. 44, 496, 503, 571, ii. 283;
- Mas'udi, Les Prairies d'Or (ed. B. de Meynard), ii. 128;
- Barthélemy d'Herbelot, Bibliothèque Orientale, s.v.
'Balkhi, al-Badwa wa'l-Tarikh, ii, 156 f./144; 165/150 sq.; iii, 114 f./ 118 f. and c.f. index
Thalabi, 'Ara'is al-Madjalis, 198 - 202

References

^ A-Z of Prophets in Islam and Judaism, B.M. Wheeler, Daniel
^ Tabari, Volume I: Prophets and Patriarchs, 647, 652-654
^ "21. The Ethos of Prophet Daniel". 8 June 2015.
^ Mukaddasi, 417 (c.f. C. Cahen, in Arabica, 1959, 28)
^ Ezekiel. xiv: 14, 20 and xxviii: 3
^ Hughes Dictionary of Islam, T.P. Hughes, Daniel
^ Malhamat Daniyal
^ Stories of the Prophets, Ibn Kathir', Daniel
^ "al-Jawaab as-Saheeh (Answering those who altered the religion of Jesus Christ)" (Document). p. 367. {{cite document}}: Cite document requires |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |url= ignored (help)
^ Tabari, i, 665-668, 717
^ Mas'udi, Murudj, i: 117, 120; ii: 115 ,128
^ A-Z of Prophets in Islam and Judaism, Wheeler, Habbakuk
^ "21. The Ethos of Prophet Daniel". 8 June 2015.

[1] A-Z of Prophets in Islam and Judaism, B.M. Wheeler, Daniel

[2] Tabari, Volume I: Prophets and Patriarchs, 647, 652-654

[3] "21. The Ethos of Prophet Daniel". 8 June 2015.

[4] Mukaddasi, 417 (c.f. C. Cahen, in Arabica, 1959, 28)

[5] Ezekiel. xiv: 14, 20 and xxviii: 3

[6] Hughes Dictionary of Islam, T.P. Hughes, Daniel

[7] Malhamat Daniyal

[8] Stories of the Prophets, Ibn Kathir', Daniel

[9] "al-Jawaab as-Saheeh (Answering those who altered the religion of Jesus Christ)" (Document). p. 367. {{cite document}}: Cite document requires |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |url= ignored (help)

[10] Tabari, i, 665-668, 717

[11] Mas'udi, Murudj, i: 117, 120; ii: 115 ,128

[12] A-Z of Prophets in Islam and Judaism, Wheeler, Habbakuk

[13] "21. The Ethos of Prophet Daniel". 8 June 2015.

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+[[File:Prophet Daniel Name.svg|thumb|Dānyāl's name in [[Islamic calligraphy]]]]{{Islamic prophets}}{{Islam}}
-{{Short description|Prophet of Islam}}
+[[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]] ([[Arabic]]: دانيال, ''Dānyāl'') is usually considered by [[Muslim]]s in general to have been a [[prophet]] and according to [[Shia Islam|Shia Muslim]] [[hadith]] he was a prophet. Although he is not mentioned in the [[Qur'an]],<ref>''A-Z of Prophets in Islam and Judaism'', B.M. Wheeler, ''Daniel''</ref> nor in hadith of [[Sunni Islam]], Sunni Muslim reports of him are taken from ''[[Isra'iliyyat]]'', which bear his name and which refer to his time spent in the den of the lions.<ref>''Tabari'', Volume I: ''Prophets and Patriarchs'', 647, 652-654</ref> There are debates, however, that go on about Daniel's time of preaching and while in reports of Shia Islam from the [[Imamah (Shia)|Shia Imams]] he is considered as a prophet,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al-islam.org/ethics-prophets-muhammad-mehdi-taaj-langroodi/21-ethos-prophet-daniel|title = 21. The Ethos of Prophet Daniel|date = 8 June 2015}}</ref> some [[Muslim]]s from other branches of Islam believe that he was not a prophet but a [[wali|saintly man]].
+Some Muslim records suggest that a book regarding [[apocalypse|apocalyptic]] revelations was found in a coffin, which is supposed to have contained the remains of Daniel, which was brought to light at the time of the [[Muslim]] [[Muslim conquests|conquest]] of [[Tustar]], and buried again at the request of [[Umar]].<ref>Mukaddasi, 417 (c.f. C. Cahen, in ''Arabica'', 1959, 28)</ref>
-{{Islamic prophets}}{{Islam}}
-[[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]] ([[Arabic]]: دانيال, ''Dānyāl'') was a [[prophet]] sent to the [[Israelites|Children of Israel]]. Despite not being directly mentioned in the [[Quran]], sources mentioning him is retained in the [[Sunnah|Islamic traditions]] and [[Tafsir|exegesis]], thus acknowledged by [[Muslims]] as one of [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|God's messengers]].<ref>''A-Z of Prophets in Islam and Judaism'', B.M. Wheeler, ''Daniel''</ref><ref>''Tabari'', Volume I: ''Prophets and Patriarchs'', 647, 652-654</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al-islam.org/ethics-prophets-muhammad-mehdi-taaj-langroodi/21-ethos-prophet-daniel|title = 21. The Ethos of Prophet Daniel|date = 8 June 2015}}</ref>
-Historical accounts suggests that during the [[Muslim]] [[Early Muslim conquests|conquest]] of [[Shushtar|Tustar]], his remains were found along with relics and scriptures, after which [[Umar]] ordered to be secretly reburied.<ref>Mukaddasi, 417 (c.f. C. Cahen, in ''Arabica'', 1959, 28)</ref>
 ==Background==
-Muslim tradition has retained two distinct figures named Daniel in the [[Hebrew Bible]]. The first was the sage of an earlier time as mentioned by [[Ezekiel]], often referred as "Daniel the Elder" and the second being the prophet who lived at the time of the [[Babylonian captivity]], whose life was chronicled in the [[Book of Daniel]], canonized in the current Hebrew Bible.<ref>Ezekiel. xiv: 14, 20 and xxviii: 3</ref> However some scholars have rejected the differentiation of Daniel the Elder and Daniel, and to assume Daniel as one person.<ref>''Stories of the Prophets'', Ibn Kathir', ''Daniel''</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=''al-Jawaab as-Saheeh (Answering those who altered the religion of Jesus Christ)'' |url=http://l.b5z.net/i/u/6103974/f/Answering_those_who_altered_the_religion_of_Jesus_Christ.pdf |page=367}}</ref>
+[[Muslim]] [[tradition]] has retained some records of the two figures named Daniel in the [[Hebrew Bible]]: the first being the sage of ancient times mentioned by [[Ezekiel]]<ref>Ezekiel. xiv: 14, 20 and xxviii: 3</ref> and the second being the visionary who lived at the time of the captivity in [[Babylon]], whose life was chronicled in the [[Book of Daniel]], canonized in the current [[Hebrew Bible]]. The first figure is referred to as "Daniel the Elder" in Muslim writing, whilst the second figure is referred to as Daniel. Daniel's character in [[Muslim]] [[legend]] has shaped the figure in a similar way to that of the [[prophet]] [[Idris (prophet)|Idris]],<ref>''Hughes Dictionary of Islam'', T.P. Hughes, ''Daniel''</ref> as he is considered to have been a revealer of future mysteries, coupled with one who excelled in scientific matters.<ref>''Malhamat Daniyal''</ref> However, other scholars reject the differentiating and treat both Daniel the Elder and Daniel as one and the same.<ref>''Stories of the Prophets'', Ibn Kathir', ''Daniel''</ref> Also [[Ibn Taymiyyah|Ibn Tayymiyyah]] in his book  Al Jawaab as Saheeh writes a lot about Daniel writing and foretelling [[Muhammad in Islam|Muhammad]]<ref>{{cite document|title=''al-Jawaab as-Saheeh (Answering those who altered the religion of Jesus Christ)''|page=367 |url=http://l.b5z.net/i/u/6103974/f/Answering_those_who_altered_the_religion_of_Jesus_Christ.pdf }}</ref>
-Prophet Daniel's character in Muslim tradition has shaped the figure in a similar way to that of [[Prophet]] [[Idris (prophet)|Idris]] ([[Enoch]]) as he is considered to have been a revealer of future mysteries, coupled with one who excelled in scientific matters.<ref>''Hughes Dictionary of Islam'', T.P. Hughes, ''Daniel''</ref><ref>''Malhamat Daniyal''</ref>
 ==Daniel in Muslim literature==
-Muslim tradition recounts that Daniel preached in [[Babylon]], calling the people to return to worshipping [[God in Islam|God]]. He presumably lived during the reign of [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] and taught him the unity of God and the true religion of [[Islam]].<ref>''Tabari'', i, 665-668, 717</ref>
+[[Muslim]] [[tradition]] recounts that it was Daniel who preached in [[Babylon]], exhorting the people to return to [[God in Islam|God]]. He lived during the reign of [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]], and taught this prince the unity of God and the true religion of [[Islam]].<ref>''Tabari'', i, 665-668, 717</ref>  Key events from Daniel's life which are recounted in [[exegesis]] are the presence of Daniel and his companions in the court of [[Nebuchadnezzar]]; Nebuchadnezzar's dreams; the friction between Daniel and his detractors and his miraculous delivery from the den of the lions; and Belshazzar's feast and the deciphering of the mysterious writing.<ref>Mas'udi, ''Murudj'', i: 117, 120; ii: 115 ,128</ref> Other events from the [[Book of Daniel]], such as [[Susanna and the Elders]], play no part in tradition.
+One legend that is not found in [[Jewish]] [[tradition]] but appears in Muslim writings is that of [[Jeremiah]] meeting Daniel. A similar event involving [[Habakkuk]] and [[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]], however, is to be found in ''[[Lives of the Prophets]]''.<ref>''A-Z of Prophets in Islam and Judaism'', Wheeler, ''Habbakuk''</ref> Ibn Abi Al-Dunya narrated the following, based on a chain of citations:
-Key events from Daniel's life which are recounted in Quran exegesis are the presence of Daniel and his companions in the court of [[Nebuchadnezzar]]. The dreams of Nebuchadnezzar, the friction between Daniel and his detractors, his miraculous delivery from the den of lions, Belshazzar's feast and the deciphering of the mysterious writings. Other events from the [[Book of Daniel]], such as [[Susanna and the Elders]], has not been acknowledged in tradition.<ref>Mas'udi, ''Murudj'', i: 117, 120; ii: 115 ,128</ref>
+{{Quote|[[Nebuchadnezzar II|Nebuchadnezzar]] captured two lions and threw them into a pit. He then brought Danyal and threw him at them; yet they did not pounce at him; rather, he remained as [[God]] wished. When then he desired food and drink, God revealed to Jeremiah, who was in [[Greater Syria|Sham]]: "Prepare food and drink for Danyal." He said: "O Lord I am in [[Jerusalem]] while Danyal is in [[Babylon]]." God revealed to him: "Do what I have commanded you to do, and I shall send you one who will carry you and what you have prepared." Jeremiah did so and God sent him something that would carry him until he arrived at the brink of the pit. Then Danyal asked: "Who is this?" He answered: "I am Jeremiah." He asked: "What brought you?" He answered: "Your Lord sent me to you." He said: "And so my Lord has remembered me?" He said: "Yes." Danyal said: "Praise be to God Who has never forgotten me! And Praise be to God Who never forgets those who appeal to Him! And Praise be to Him Who compensates good with good, rewards patience with safety, dispels harm after distress, assures us when we are overwhelmed, and is our hope when skill fails us."}}
+Danyal also appears in ''The Thousand and One Nights''. On Night 394, in the tale of ‘The Pious Jewish Woman’ he appears as a 12-year-old boy who mediates in the case of a woman falsely accused of adultery. The book refers to him as a prophet.
-One of unique perspective that is narrated in Muslim writings that is not found in [[Jewish culture|Jewish tradition]], is that of [[Jeremiah|Prophet Jeremiah]] meeting Daniel. A similar event involving [[Habakkuk]] and [[Daniel (biblical figure)|Daniel]], however, is to be found in ''[[Lives of the Prophets]]''.<ref>''A-Z of Prophets in Islam and Judaism'', Wheeler, ''Habbakuk''</ref> Ibn Abi Al-Dunya narrated the following, based on a chain of citations:
-{{Quote|[[Nebuchadnezzar II|Nebuchadnezzar]] captured two lions and threw them into a pit. He then brought Danyal and threw him at them; yet they did not pounce at him; rather, he remained as [[God]] wished. When then he desired food and drink, God revealed to Jeremiah, who was in [[Greater Syria|Sham]]: "Prepare food and drink for Danyal." He said: "O Lord I am in [[Jerusalem]] while Danyal is in [[Babylon]]." God revealed to him: "Do what I have commanded you to do, and I shall send you one who will carry you and what you have prepared." Jeremiah did so and God sent him something that would carry him until he arrived at the brink of the pit. Then Danyal asked: "Who is this?" He answered: "I am Jeremiah." He asked: "What brought you?" He answered: "Your Lord sent me to you." He said: "And so my Lord has remembered me?" He said: "Yes." Danyal said: "Praise be to God Who has never forgotten me! And Praise be to God Who never forgets those who appeal to Him! And Praise be to Him Who compensates good with good, rewards patience with safety, dispels harm after distress, assures us when we are overwhelmed, and is our hope when skill fails us."}}
+===In Shia Islam===
+Once one of the close companions of the 6th Shia Imam [[Ja'far al-Sadiq]] known as Jabir al-Ju'fi reported:
+{{Quote|I asked the Imam regarding the interpretation of dreams of Danyal? The Imam said: Yes, he was inspired. He was a Prophet and one to whom God had taught the interpretation of dreams. He was truthful, wise...<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al-islam.org/ethics-prophets-muhammad-mehdi-taaj-langroodi/21-ethos-prophet-daniel#truthful-and-wise|title = 21. The Ethos of Prophet Daniel|date = 8 June 2015}}</ref>}}
+A shrine known as [[Tomb of Daniel]] in [[Susa]], [[Iran]], is considered by Shia Muslims to be his sacred resting place and is visited by pilgrims.
-Daniel also appears in ''The Thousand and One Nights''. On Night 394, in the tale of ‘The Pious Jewish Woman’ he appears as a 12-year-old boy who mediates in the case of a woman falsely accused of adultery. The book refers to him as a prophet.[[File:Daniel Barry Kent.JPG|thumb|right|150px|Tomb of Daniel in Susa, Iran]]
+[[File:Daniel Barry Kent.JPG|thumb|right|150px|Tomb of Daniel in Susa, Iran]]
 ==See also==

v t e Extra-Quranic prophets of Islam
In Stories of the Prophets	Enoch Eber Khidr Joshua Samuel Saul Gideon Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Ezra Daniel
In Islamic tradition	Amos Seth Shem Eli Ahijah Shemaiah Iddo Haggai Hanani Jehu Melchizedek Micaiah Nahum Eliezer Zechariah ben Jehoiada Uriah Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah Berechiah Joel Obadiah Micah Habakkuk Zephaniah Malachi Hanzalah Khaled bin Sinan
In Quranic exegesis	Abel People of Ya-Sin Hosea Zechariah, son of Berechiah
Italics = While the figure has been revered by many Muslims as a saint, status as a prophet is not accepted by all.