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Al-Khadir Was a Prophet

Question

I have heard about al-khadir. Can you tell me who he is and what is his task here?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Ibn Katheer  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him wrote in his book Al-Bidaaya wan-Nihaaya (The Beginning and the End): “The way the al-Khadir's story was narrated implies that he was a Prophet. Here are some of the hints that prove this. Firstly, Allah Says (what means): {And they found a servant from among Our servants to whom we had given mercy from us and had taught him from Us a [certain] knowledge.} [Quran 18:65]

Secondly, Moosa (Moses)  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention said to him (Al-Khidr): {May I follow you on [the condition] that you teach me from what you have been taught of sound judgement?}. [Quran 18:66]

If Al-Khadir  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention were not a Prophet, Moosa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention would not have addressed him like this and he would not have replied to Moosa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention in the way he did. Indeed, Moosa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention asked for Al-Khadir's company to learn from the knowledge that Allah had distinguished him with, which Moosa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention did not know. So, if Al-Khadir  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention were not a Prophet, he would not have been infallible and Moosa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention who is undoubtedly a Prophet and thus infallible, would not have had this desire to learn and to search for knowledge of a wali (pious man) who is not infallible.

Thirdly, Al-Khadir  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention killed a child, had he not received a revelation from Allah, he would not have done such an act. This is a clear and separate evidence for his Prophecy and a proof for his infallibility.

Fourthly, after Al-Khadir  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention explained clearly to Moosa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention the meaning of the deeds that he had performed, he added (what means): {…as a mercy from your Lord. And I did it not of my own accord.} [Quran 18:82]

This means, “I did not do them of my own initiative. I was ordered to do them by revelation.

These are proofs that Al-Khadir  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention was a Prophet. So, this sound evidence that Al-Khadir was a prophet, closes the door in front of those who said that he was a wali and that the Awliyah might come to know the crux of some things that the Messengers of Allah, may Allaah exalt their mention, themselves do not know.” [Abridged – Ibn Katheer]

For more benefit on Al-Khidr, please refer to Fataawa 87455 and 81886.

Allah knows best.

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