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Prophet Daniel

Nebuzaradan’s Siege and Daniel’s Captivity

In the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), specifically in the Nevi’im section, we find accounts in the Book of Daniel (chapters 1-6) and the Book of Ezra (chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7) that detail significant events: e seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

‘⁸On th came to Jerusalem. ⁹He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. ¹⁰The whole Babylonian army under the commander of the imperial guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem..’ Kings 25:8-10.

Subsequent to the devastation of the Temple, Prophet Daniel, descendant of John son of yushiya, was captured that fateful night in 606 BC and transported to Babylon.

Daniel’s Rise in Babylon

Prophet Daniel (a) is an Israelite and was known for his exceptional wisdom, knowledge, and mystical insight, which earned him favor among the courtiers. His ability to interpret the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar elevated him to a prominent position within the king’s court, eventually leading to his appointment as chief over all the wise men of Babylon by royal decree.

During the reign of Amel-Marduk, Nebuchadnezzar’s son, a banquet hosted by the king turned ominous as a mysterious finger appeared and inscribed a message on the palace wall. This event occurred because the sacred vessels of the Temple, Beit Hamikdash, had been used for that night’s feast and thus, desecrated. Prophet Daniel read and deciphered the ominous message: “God has brought your kingdom to an end; your kingdom is divided and will be given to the Medes and Persians.”

According to tradition, Amel-Marduk was murdered that very night.

, Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard, an official of the king of Babylon,

Shrine of Prophet Daniel, Winter 2014

Daniel and Darius the Mede

Daniel’s rise

Upon the ascension of Darius the Mede to power at the age of sixty-two, he appointed 120 satraps to govern his vast realm. These satraps were overseen by three ministers, including Daniel, who were entrusted with managing the kingdom’s affairs. The entire empire’s affairs were to be managed by these three.

The plot against Daniel

Soon, Daniel’s exceptional virtue, wisdom, prudence, and political understanding elevated him above his peers, prompting Darius to place him at the head of this council. However, Daniel’s prominence stirred envy among his contemporaries, leading to a conspiracy against him by jealous courtiers. A group of nobles decided to find a way to discredit Daniel in the eyes of the king and even bring about his death.

After some deliberation and coordination, they decided to advise the king to issue a written decree, signed by his own hand and sealed with the royal seal, to solidify Darius’s empire throughout his dominions. The decree would state that for thirty days no one in the land may worship and make no request of any other god but the king. Anyone who disobeys this decree would be thrown into a pit of hungry lions.

Shrine of Prophet Daniel, Winter 2014

Darius was a positive-minded and compassionate person. It never crossed his mind that his ministers and advisors would have such ill intentions and that this decree was, in fact, their plot against him. Assuming that the decree was only to elevate the royal status, he ordered the court scribe to write the decree, which he signed and sealed with the royal seal.
Daniel had upheld his three daily prayers (Shacharit, Mincha, and Maariv) in private. This decree could never change that. Exploiting Daniel’s religious beliefs, and having found no corruption in him, his enemies took advantage of this, snuck up on him in his house, and found him prostrating and praying towards the Temple. They immediately reported this to the king — Daniel was found worshiping another god, and since he had disobeyed the decree as the chief minister, he should be thrown into the pit of hungry lions as stipulated by the royal decree.
Although the King had become aware of the evil intentions of his ministers and nobles who wanted to kill Daniel, despite his inner reluctance, he agreed to have Daniel thrown into the pit of lions. As he watched Daniel being taken to the pit, he said to Daniel ina mournful voice, “Fear not, Daniel, your God whom you worship continually will save you.”

Shrine of Prophet Daniel, Winter 2014

Daniel’s Night in the Den
Daniel was cast into the pit, and in an instant, the ferocious roars and hungry growls of the lions fell silent, as though they were preoccupied with tearing his body apart. Darius commanded the pit to be sealed shut, then retreated to his palace, consumed by sorrow and distress. Darius ate nothing that night, not even a single bite, and sleep eluded him until dawn. As the first light of dawn appeared, Darius rushed to the lion’s den, discovering Daniel miraculously alive.
Witnessing this Divine intervention, Darius commanded the pit to be opened, Daniel to be freed, and his enemies to be cast into the den of hungry lions instead. The once-roaring lions, now satiated, left no trace of their victims.
Darius’ decree of faith
Following the ordeal, King Darius issued a proclamation to all corners of his vast empire. The proclamation read:
“It is in my presence that this command is issued. All the citizens of the lands under my sovereignty must be aware and in awe of Daniel’s God, the God of the Jews. Because He is the Ever-Living, the Eternal, whose glory has no limits, and whose sovereignty has no end. It is He who saves, He who abandons, and it is He who manifests the signs and the wonders in the sky and on the ground. It is He who saved my trustworthy and righteous servant, Daniel, from the claws and teeth of the devouring and hungry lions.

Shrine of Prophet Daniel, Winter 2014

Lineage and History

As one of God’s great prophets, earning the title “Nabi”, Prophet Daniel (s) is the son of Yuhanna and Prophet David (s). He has foretold the future, including the advent of Prophet Muhammad (s), the prophet of the End of Times.

The young Prophet Daniel (s) was transported to Babylon as a Jewish captive, along with other members of his tribe, by Nebuchadnezzar’s army. In Babylon, he refused to obey the emperor and was sentenced to the lion den. But he came out miraculously unscathed.

Tomb Discovered by Muslims

Upon the arrival of Muslim troops in Iran, they discovered a sealed chamber in Susa bearing the royal seal. Asking the people, they were told that this was the holy tomb of one of God’s messengers.

Prophet Daniel’s (s) Respect with Muslims

Visiting the tomb

Historians write that Imam Ali (s) issued a command that the holy body of Prophet Daniel (s) be reburied based on Islamic laws, this time facing Mecca, the Islamic qibla. Regarding Daniel’s respect, Imam Ali (s) emphasized the significance of visiting the tomb of Prophet Daniel (s), saying, “Whoever visits my brother Daniel (s), has visited me.”

Return with the Savior

Authentic Islamic narrations state that Daniel (s) will be revived along with the coming of Mahdi (a), the savior, and fight next to him. Another aspect that Imam Ali (s) took special notice to was Daniel’s (s) judgments.

Respect in Iran

Prophet Daniel (s), as the second infallible buried in Iran after the presence of the sacred and celestial Imam Reza (s), is highly respected and revered by Muslims, religious minorities, and foreign tourists alike.

Shrine of Prophet Daniel, Winter 2014

Prophet Daniel Described by the Holy Shrine

In the name of God

Prophet Daniel (a) is revered as a Divine prophet, bearing the title “Nabiullah” (Prophet of God). He is the son of John, a descendant of Prophet David (a) and renowned for his prophecies, he foretold future events, including the advent of the Prophet of the End of Time, Muhammad (s). When young, he was taken captive by the soldiers of Nebuchadnezzar II and sent to Babylon along with a group from his tribe. But there, he refused to obey a command by the King of Babylon and was thrown in a den of wild lions. He came out unscathed.

When Muslim soldiers entered Iran, they found a locked room with royal sealing in Shush. They asked the people about the room, and were told that it is the burial place of Prophet Daniel.

Historians have written that under the orders of Imam Ali (a), Daniel’s remains were interred according to Islamic rites, facing the Muslim qibla. Imam Ali (a) emphasized the significance of visiting Prophet Daniel’s tomb. He is quoted to have said, “من زار اخی دانیال کمن زارئی, He who visits my brother, Daniel, it is as if he has visited me.”

Authentic revelations state that Prophet Daniel (s) will accompany the Mahdi (a) when he returns from occultation. Additionally, the judgments of Prophet Daniel were noted by Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib.

Prophet Daniel is recognized as the second [-ranking] immaculate person to be buried in Iran, the fist being Imam Reza (a). Prophet Daniel has the Muslims’ utmost respect, and is highly honored by religious minorities and foreign tourists as well.

Shrine of Prophet Daniel, Winter 2014

Prophet Daniel (s) in the Torah

In the Torah, in the book of Genesis Vayeshev (Chapter 30, verse 6), the word “Daniel”, meaning “God is my judge”, refers to a son of Prophet Jacob (s).

Daniel was taken captive to Babylon after the destruction of the First Temple of Jerusalem in 605 BC, when he was 12 years old. Along with a few other captives (Michaels, Jeremiah, and Hezekiah), he found his way to the court of Nebuchadnezzar. Due to his exceptional talent and knowledge, he began studying Chaldean sciences and the holy language there, surpassing everyone in wisdom.

A chapter with twelve sections in the Tanakh is dedicated to the writings of Daniel. Additionally, in the book of Ezra, in the section of Nehemiah, there are detailed references to this prophet.

Shrine of Prophet Daniel, Winter 2014

Cyrus the Great and Jews

With the collapse of Babylon by Cyrus the Great and the continued expansion of his empire, many lands were added to the Iranian territory, including the Holy Land and the places were Jews had been taken captive from.

Declaration of freedom

From Jewish scriptures, the Book of Ezra writes:

By this decree, all the captives and individuals within the realm of the kingdom of Cyrus were liberated and protected from any harm or harassment. Soon after, many of them entered the land of Iran. Through this decree, the liberated ones were able to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of God. The text of the decree is as follows:

‎’Cyrus, king of Persia, declares: ‘The God of heavens has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has ‎charged me to build a house for Him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Therefore, whoever among you ‎belongs to His people, may his God be with him. Let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and rebuild the ‎house of God, the true God of Israel.’‎

Returning the pillaged items

Cyrus also collected the valuable utensils and vessels from Jerusalem, which had been plundered from Solomon’s Temple by Nebuchadnezzar, and returned them to the Holy Land. The construction of the Second Temple was completed on the third of Adar in the sixth year of Darius’ reign.

Shrine of Prophet Daniel, Winter 2014

The Respect of Prophet Daniel (s) in Iran

The numerous miracles and blessings attributed to Prophet Daniel have earned him a special spiritual position among Jews and Muslims. The Muslim book of Bihar al-Anwar mentions that four divine prophets will be at the side of Imam al-Mahdi (a) (the Muslim savior) upon his reappearance, and one of them is Prophet Daniel (s).

Regardless of their religious beliefs, the tomb of Prophet Daniel (s) has always been revered by the Iranian people. The presence of this holy shrine is a significant social and religious landmark in the city of Shush.

Shrine of Prophet Daniel, Winter 2014

The Final Resting Place of Prophet Daniel (s)

The city

Many believe that since Daniel resided in the city of Shush, he also passed away there. The ancient city of Susa, spanning an area of 6.5 square kilometers, was a center of ancient civilization and the winter capital of the Achaemenid Empire. During the Islamic era, it was one of the most populous cities and a major trading hub in the Khuzestan region, renowned for its silk textiles, pomegranates, sugarcane, and citrons. The word “Susa” or “Shushan” means “beautiful and pleasant city” in Persian, and in Hebrew culture, it refers to the lily flower.

The shrine

Located across from the Arg Hill, on the eastern bank of the Shavur River, the Shrine of Prophet Daniel (s) comprises two large and small courtyards surrounded by cells and Iwans with Islamic architectural designs.

The shrine’s main sanctuary, measuring 7 x 7 meters, features a six-sided (polygonal) dome constructed in a tiered manner with 25 steps. Two minarets were installed atop the dome in 1909, and in 1896, following damage, the main dome was reconstructed by architect Haj Mullah Hussein.

Shrine of Prophet Daniel, Winter 2014

Genealogy of Prophet Daniel

Daniel son of John son of Josiah son of Amon son of Manasseh son of Hezekiah son of Ahaz son of Jotham son of Uzziah son of Amaziah son of Joash son of Ahaziah son of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat son of Asa son of Abijam son of Rehoboam son of Solomon son of David son of Jesse son of Obed son of Azam son of Nahon son of Amvadav son of Aram son of Husharon son of Narshe son of Yehuda son of Jacob the Prophet.

Shrine of Prophet Daniel, Winter 2014

The Shrine of Prophet Daniel (s)

The architectural design of the domed and conical stepped pilgrimage site of Prophet Daniel (an Israelite prophet), located on the eastern bank of the Shavur River, opposite the Arg Hill, has long served as a prominent pilgrimage site with ancient roots in the city of Shush in the northwest of Khuzestan Province.

Shush is in southern Iran, with an approximate area of 3,600 square kilometers, very fertile agricultural lands, and three important rivers — the Karun, Dez, and Shavur. These rivers flow around the city and have historically been vital sources of water for the agriculture of the Khuzestan region and a significant factor in the formation of ancient civilizations.

The structure of the shrine consists of two courtyards, surrounded by iwans and chambers. The design of the domed and conical structure with stepped form is certainly inspired from the prevalent indigenous architecture of the region’s domes. Tilework is employed in the decoration of the building’s courtyard, while the ceiling of the interior of the shrine features the art of mirror work, gypsum carving, and the use of marble stones, along with the placement of a magnificent shrine in the center of the building, creating a special ambiance and spiritual atmosphere.

The Shrine of Daniel is one of the most important tourist and pilgrimage centers of Shush. It was registered as one of Iran’s national monuments in September 1931 under number 51.

Shrine of Prophet Daniel, Winter 2014

زیارتگاه دانیال نبی در سمرقند

Shrine of Prophet Daniel, in Samarqand

The 19th Century Tomb of Prophet Daniel in Samarkand

There are varying opinions regarding the final resting place of Prophet Daniel (s). Some believe that the burial site of this Israelite prophet is located in the Kars (Turkey), Egypt, Iraq, or Samarkand (Uzbekistan).

One of the prominent landmarks in Samarkand is a shrine attributed to Prophet Daniel (s). This ancient structure, with its elongated tomb and six domes, welcomes a multitude of pilgrims from the Muslim, Christian, and Jewish faiths every year.

Some believe that in the 15th century, Amir Timur transported the remains of Prophet Daniel — including his bones — from Iran to Samarkand, the Timurid capital, to protect the people of Turkestan from heavenly disasters and enemy invasions.

The caretakers of this shrine believe that the water of the river flowing past this ancient structure possesses healing powers for all ailments due to the presence of Prophet Daniel (s).

Photo attributed to Teymur Lang
(1405-1336 AD)

Interior view of the shrine known as Daniyal Nabi in Samarkand in 2002

Daniyal Nabi in Shiran well

Interior view of Daniyal Nabi shrine in Samarqand

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Prophet Daniel

Daniel’s Rise in Babylon

Daniel and Darius the Mede

The plot against Daniel