A Discussion of the Narrations

1) The Meeting of Moses and Khiḍr

From Abū ʿAbdallāh regarding His words: … Moses said: “That man whom we saw at the rock is the one we seek.” So they returned “following their footsteps exactly,” that is, to the man who was in prayer. Moses sat until he finished his prayer, then he greeted them both.(155)

Note:

a) According to another narration, when Moses saw Khiḍr, he greeted him, and in response to Moses’ greeting, Khiḍr said: “Peace be upon you, O Prophet of the Children of Israel.” Moses asked how he knew he was a prophet, and Khiḍr replied that the One who sent Moses to him had informed him.(156)

b) Of course, some questions and answers in the initial meetings are not unexpected; however, verifying the chain of transmission for such questions and answers is important.

2) Khiḍr’s Prophethood and the Reason for His Name

From Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad that he said: “Indeed Khiḍr was a messenger prophet whom God—blessed and exalted—sent to his people. He called them to monotheism and to acknowledge His prophets, messengers, and books. His sign was that he would not sit on any dry wood or white ground except that it would bloom green, and he was named Khiḍr for this reason…”(157)

Note: A general description of the subject does not establish their specific description.

Based on this, in the previous exegetical discussions, it was established that Khiḍr’s prophethood, which is his specific attribute, cannot be proven through general attributes shared between prophethood, divine guardianship (wilāya), and other stations. However, in these types of traditions, after setting aside the chain of transmission, their main focus is establishing his prophethood.

3) The Knowledge of Moses and Khiḍr Compared to Divine Knowledge

From the Prophet (s.a.w.) who said: “… A sparrow came and perched on the edge of the ship and dipped its beak in the sea once. Then Khiḍr said to him: ‘My knowledge and your knowledge compared to God’s knowledge is only like what this sparrow has taken from this sea…’”(158)

From the Prophet (s.a.w.): “When Moses met Khiḍr, a bird came and dipped its beak in the water. Khiḍr said to Moses: ‘Do you know what this bird is saying?’ He said: ‘What is it saying?’ He replied: ‘It says: Your knowledge and Moses’ knowledge compared to God’s knowledge is only like what my beak has taken from the water.’”(159)

Note: The perfect, infallible human, from the perspective of their essence, possesses nothing but poverty, and in the light of their connection to the infinite divine grace, they are like a stream connected to an ocean that is not endless. The universal claim “Ask me before you lose me” (salūnī qabla an tafqidūnī)(160) comes from this perspective. The story of Moses and Khiḍr is also of this nature.

4) Khiḍr’s Meeting with the Commander of the Faithful in the Mosque of Kufa

From the Commander of the Faithful: One day he was in the mosque of Kufa, and when night fell, a man wearing white clothes came through the Elephant Gate. The guards and the Thursday police came forward. The Commander of the Faithful said to them: “What do you want?” They said: “We saw this man approaching us and feared he might assassinate you.” He said: “Not at all. Leave, may God have mercy on you! Are you protecting me from the people of earth? Then who will protect me from the people of heaven?” The man stayed with him for some time, asking questions.

Then he said: “O Commander of the Faithful! The caliphate has been adorned with splendor, beauty, and perfection, but it has not adorned you. The nation of Muḥammad (s.a.w.) has become dependent on you, but you have not become dependent on it. A group preceded you and sat in your position, but their fate rests with God. You are ascetic regarding this world yet great in the heavens and earth. In the hereafter, you have many stations that will bring joy to the eyes of your followers (shīʿa). You are the master of the successors (awṣiyāʾ), and your brother is the master of the prophets.” Then he mentioned the twelve Imams and left. The Commander of the Faithful turned to al-Ḥasan and al-Ḥusayn and said: “Do you know who he is?” They said: “Who is he, O Commander of the Faithful?” He said: “This is my brother Khiḍr.”(161)

Note:

a) If this narration is not allegorical, it indicates that Khiḍr was alive and had a long life.

b) A long life is different from eternal life and immunity from death, which would be contrary to divine decree.