Title: A Comprehensive Study on Khidr and His Role in Shaping Divine Civilization
Khidr (Peace Be upon Him): A Symbol of Patience and Wisdom in the Divine Will
Khidr (Peace be upon him) is a unique figure in Islamic history, known for his exceptionally long life, profound wisdom, and ability to guide people by God’s command. His name is mentioned in the Holy Quran in a teaching story alongside Prophet Moses (Peace be upon him), where he played a distinguished role in embodying a divine knowledge that transcends human understanding. This article aims to explore the life and character of Khidr (Peace be upon him) and to extract civilizational lessons, focusing on the civilizational dimensions essential for building a contemporary Islamic society.
A Glance at the Life of Khidr (Peace Be upon Him) in Hadiths
Khidr (Peace be upon him) is a figure whose lifespan and historical era are shrouded in significant ambiguity. There are various hadiths regarding the ancient era in which he lived; according to the general view of the scholars of the People of the Book, it is said that he lived during the reign of Afridun. It is also said that he was the vanguard commander of the army of Dhul-Qarnayn, who lived during the era of Abraham, the Friend of God (Peace be upon him) (Tabatabai 18: 193). However, the most well-known and authentic account, based on the Holy Quran, is that he was a contemporary of Prophet Moses, son of Imran (Peace be upon him).
Many names have been attributed to him, but the name most frequently assigned to Khidr (Peace be upon him) in hadiths is “Baliya.” Imam Sadiq (Peace be upon him) also mentioned his lineage of fathers, stating: “And his name was Baliya son of Malkan son of Eber son of Arphaxad son of Shem son of Noah (Peace be upon him)” (Majlisi 13: 198). However, he is known by the name Khidr. Several reasons are mentioned for this blessed title, including:
-Whenever he said his prayers, the surroundings would turn green (Tabatabai 18: 149).
-He sat on a white pelt, and the pelt moved and turned green (Ibn Katheer 469).
-He was named Khidr (meaning green) because of his astonishing beauty (“Authentic Story”).
-He never sat on any wood or barren land except that it became alive and turned green (Tabatabai 18: 149).
It is narrated from Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him) that Khidr was an offspring of kings, but he was devoted to God Almighty and isolated himself from the world (Majlisi 13: 206). It is also narrated that he was in the vanguard of Dhul-Qarnayn’s army. Dhul-Qarnayn was searching for the Fountain of Life, a spring from which if everyone drinks, they will remain alive until the Day of Resurrection (Tabatabai 18: 150). Khidr found it, while Dhul-Qarnayn could not. It is narrated that Khidr’s place of residence is the Sahla Mosque. There are many places and mosques that are named after him, indicating that he once stayed in them (Kulayni 3: 104).
The Gifts and Abilities of Khidr (Peace Be upon Him)
Although the Quran does not explicitly mention the name of this servant who was more knowledgeable than Prophet Moses (Peace be upon him)—saying only, “There they found one of Our servants, to whom We had granted a mercy from Ourselves, and taught him a knowledge from Our own” (Quran 18:65)—according to hadiths, he was Khidr (Peace be upon him).
Some say he was one of God’s friends who was granted knowledge without prophethood, while others believe that he was a prophet. One of their proofs is this same verse, as this righteous servant received special mercy and knowledge directly from God. As revealed in the story of Prophet Moses’s meeting with Khidr (Peace be upon them), there are deep meanings about God’s mercy and knowledge in this story. His actions indicate a prophethood from which Moses learned a lesson and gained experience.
God Almighty granted Khidr (Peace be upon him) exceptional abilities that enabled him to travel all around the world easily and without any hindrance to accomplish his missions. Among these is the power of invisibility, such that he could see people and hear their voices without being seen. Several hadiths refer to this ability; for example, when offering condolences to the family of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon them) and accompanying them, it is mentioned that he spoke while he was invisible. It is narrated from Imam Reza (Peace be upon him) who said: “Khidr (Peace be upon him) drank from the water of life; thus, he is alive and will not die until the trumpet will be blown. He comes to us and greets us, so we hear his voice but do not see him. And he is present wherever he is being remembered; so, whoever among you remembers him, greets him” (Saduq 2: 390).
He was also given the ability of Tay al-Ard (traversing the earth without moving) and traveling long distances in a short time, which is mentioned in hadiths stating that he assisted people in remote places.
He was additionally granted the ability to walk on water as if walking on land; a matter mentioned in the amulet of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family), known as the Amulet of Abu Dujana al-Ansari, in this phrase: “And by the name with which Khidr (Peace be upon him) walks on water and his feet do not get wet” (al-Kafʿamī 216).
Impressive Stations in the Story of Khidr and Moses (Peace Be upon Them)
We have always heard and recited the verses of the Quran about the story of Prophet Moses (Peace be upon him) who, in the Holy Quran, set out to meet the righteous servant. It was a rare journey taken by a messenger among the Arch-Prophets (Ulu al-Azm). He is the one who was called beside the sacred valley, conversed with his Lord Almighty, and who, with the sea before him and Pharaoh behind him, said: “My Lord is certainly with me; He will guide me.” So, what was the meaning behind the story of Khidr and Moses (Peace be upon them)?
The story begins when God revealed to Moses that there is a righteous servant who possesses specific knowledge that God has given to no one but him, not even to Moses. Moses aimed to meet this servant and asked God’s permission to do so. Along with Joshua son of Nun, he embarked on a difficult journey to find Khidr. God informed him that the sign of finding the place of Khidr would be at the junction of the two seas, where the fish they had brought for food would disappear. When they reached that place, they forgot the fish; the fish miraculously made its way into the sea. After feeling fatigued, Moses said to his young companion: “Bring us our meal. We have certainly encountered much fatigue on this journey of ours” (Quran 18:62). The young man remembered the fish and told Moses what had happened to it at the junction of the two seas (Quran 18:63). Moses returned to the place where the fish was lost and met Khidr (Peace be upon him) there.
When Moses asked Khidr to accompany him so that Moses could learn from him, Khidr agreed, on the condition that he ask no questions until Khidr himself explained the reasons behind his actions. Then, three events occurred that revealed the divine wisdom hidden behind Khidr’s actions.
-Damaging the Ship
Exegetes narrate that Khidr and Moses (Peace be upon them) were heading to another destination across the sea; they boarded a ship whose owner recognized Khidr (Peace be upon him) and allowed them to board. During the journey, Khidr intentionally made a hole in the ship, removing two of its planks, which caused water to seep in. But Moses (Peace be upon him), witnessing this act, realized that water seepage could lead to sinking the ship and its passengers; hence, he hastily plugged the hole with his garment. It is likely that the passengers also noticed the incident and tried to temporarily repair the damage.
After this act, the ship became defective with an obvious flaw, making it less susceptible to being confiscated. Moses, as a prophet who considered himself responsible for preserving the lives and property of people, could not remain silent about Khidr’s actions; therefore, he objected in denial: “He said, ‘Did you make a hole in it to drown its people? You have certainly done a monstrous thing!’” (Quran 18:71). Khidr, in response, reminded him of what he had warned him earlier, “He said, ‘Did I not say that you will not be able to bear with me?’” (Quran 18:72).
Khidr’s action was reprehensible on the surface, but he had a noble purpose for doing it, which was to protect the interests of the poor owners of the ship. It is mentioned in the Quran that Khidr says, “As for the ship, it belonged to some poor people who work on the sea. I wanted to make it defective, for ahead of them was a king who would seize every ship usurping it” (Quran 18:79). Making a hole in the ship made it less appealing to that king, thus ensuring he would not seize it; the result was that those poor people did not lose their ship.
-Killing the Boy
After Moses and Khidr (Peace be upon them) disembarked the ship, they continued on their way. They encountered a boy playing with children. He was a beautiful, fair-faced boy in a green silk shirt and was wearing pearl earrings. Khidr (Peace be upon him) approached the boy and killed him. There are different hadiths about how Khidr killed the boy; some say Khidr beheaded him, threw him to the ground, struck him, or used other methods; what matters is that the boy was killed by Khidr.
This act was shocking for Moses (Peace be upon him); he became angry and objected, saying: “He said, ‘Did you slay an innocent soul, without [his having slain] anyone? You have certainly done a dire thing!’” (Quran 18:74). Khidr, in response, reminded Moses that the human intellect cannot judge God’s actions and commands, saying: Be patient with me, for you learned that you could never have patience with me. At this moment, Moses (Peace be upon him) realized his mistake in objecting to Khidr and said: “He said, ‘If I question you about anything after this, do not keep me in your company. You have already got sufficient excuse from me’” (Quran 18:76).
Exegetes say the parents of this boy were believers, while the boy was unlike them, causing them suffering through rebellion and disbelief, and they did not retaliate out of their intense love for him. The Quran says, “As for the boy, his parents were believers, and we feared he would overwhelm them with rebellion and unfaith” (Quran 18:80). But God gave his parents something immense in compensation; after him, they were blessed with a baby girl. When she grew up, she gave birth to a boy who became a prophet years later. Indeed, according to some hadiths, seventy prophets are her descendants.
-Erecting the Wall
Moses and Khidr (Peace be upon them) reached a village; they asked its people for food, but the villagers refused to host them. It is narrated that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family) described the people of this village, saying: “They were mean-spirited people.”
The reason for asking for food might have been that their food had run out on that journey, or Khidr (Peace be upon him) intentionally made this request to teach Moses (Peace be upon him) the final lesson. Khidr found a leaning wall that was about to collapse, so he fixed it. It is mentioned that he placed his hand on it and said: Rise by the permission of God; and the wall stood up (al-Qummī 2:38). It is also narrated that he sought intercession through the family of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon them) and God answered his request (al-Rāwandī 2:938). There, Moses’s patience ran out, although he objected calmly this time; he said: “He said, ‘Had you wished, you could have taken a wage for it’” (Quran 18:77). At this point, Khidr (Peace be upon him) replied: “He said, ‘This is where you and I shall part’” (Quran 18:78). “As for the wall, it belonged to two orphan boys in the city. Under it there was a treasure belonging to them. Their father had been a righteous man. So your Lord willed that they should come of age and extract their treasure as a mercy from your Lord. I did not do that out of my own accord. This is the interpretation of that which you could not bear’” (Quran 18:82). It is also narrated that the treasure was not material, but a golden tablet inscribed with words of wisdom.
Before parting, Khidr explained the divine wisdom hidden behind these actions. The main purpose of these verses is to present a lesson through three objections, not three separate stories. Each of these three actions represented a divine wisdom.
Throughout his journey with Moses, Khidr demonstrated that the outward appearance of events can often differ from their inner truth. An event may seem ugly or illogical on the surface, while being sacred inwardly. At the same time, Khidr clarifies that this knowledge is from “what I have been taught” and not from what he knew independently. This shows the beauty of Khidr’s good manners, as he did not attribute the knowledge of the inner truth of actions to himself. He attributed causing the damage in the ship to himself, saying “I wanted to make it defective,” while attributing the good to God, saying, “So your Lord willed that they should come of age and extract their treasure as a mercy from your Lord.”
However, God Almighty may sometimes take a blessing away from a person due to their ingratitude; but the question is: From a jurisprudential and legislative perspective, can a person take a blessing away from another person due to their ingratitude or even hurt them?
The answer is that there are two systems in this world: the existential (takwini) and the legislative (tashri’i), and both are under the command of God Almighty. Therefore, there is no obstacle for God to command one group of people to execute the legislative system, while assigning another group to execute the existential system. In other words, God tasks some of His servants and friends with the inner truth, while tasking others with the outward appearances, and both have their specific rules and principles. Moses (Peace be upon him) was the most knowledgeable person in God’s legislative system but was not tasked with knowing the inner secrets of which Khidr was aware. Therefore, the outward and the inward, like legislation and existence, are two harmonious lines that both lead to perfection, but differ in details. And this is where Khidr and Moses (Peace be upon them) differ, as the divine duty of each differs from the other.
Khidr’s Continuous Meetings with Prophets and the Chosen Ones
Khidr (Peace be upon him), the righteous servant, lived through the eras of the prophets, his heart beating with renewed hope for the reformation of human life. When the final Prophet (Peace be upon him and his family) arrived, Khidr aligned himself with the infallible Imams, following their leadership and guidance. Many hadiths are narrated regarding Khidr’s meetings with the Imams (Peace be upon them) and their conversations with one another, some of which we mention here:
-When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family) passed away, Khidr came to offer condolences to his family. Commander of the Faithful, Ali (Peace be upon him), said: “This is my brother Khidr (Peace be upon him); he has come to offer you condolences for the loss of your Prophet (Peace be upon him and his family)” (al-Saduq 1:391).
History narrates that Khidr and the Commander of the Faithful (Peace be upon him) repeatedly met each other; they would exchange words of wisdom and the hidden knowledge they possessed. Several supplications of the Commander of the Faithful (Peace be upon him) are narrated from Khidr (Peace be upon him), including the Dua Kumayl bin Ziyad (Ibn Ṭāwūs 3:331).
Historians recount that after the martyrdom of the Commander of the Faithful (Peace be upon him), a weeping man came and stood in front of the door of his house, lamenting his loss, and recited the famous supplication: “May God have mercy on you, O Abu al-Hasan…” (al-Kulaynī 1:452).
Khidr (Peace be upon him) appeared during the times of many Imams, including Imam Sajjad, Imam Baqir, Imam Sadiq, and Imam Reza (Peace be upon them); in every encounter, the type of his relationship with the Imams was revealed—he showed that he was a follower of the Imams, obeying their commands and abstaining from what they had prohibited (al-Saduq 2:390).
Last but not least, Khidr (Peace be upon him) is the companion of Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his advent) in his occultation; as Imam Reza (Peace be upon him) said: “And through him, God comforts the loneliness of our Qa’im (Mahdi) during his occultation” (al-Saduq 2:390). We will explore this topic in the next section.
Khidr (Peace Be upon Him) as the Companion of Imam Mahdi (May God Hasten His Advent) in His Occultation
It is God’s will that Khidr (Peace be upon him) is one of the figures accompanying Imam Mahdi (Peace be upon him) during his occultation. He is the Imam’s companion and is obedient to his commands. Furthermore, by prolonging the life of Khidr (Peace be upon him), God demonstrates His power in prolonging the lives of His sincere servants, so the faith of the believers is strengthened regarding the possibility of Imam Mahdi (May God hasten his advent) remaining alive throughout the entire period of occultation. There are also commonalities between Khidr and Imam Mahdi (Peace be upon them), the most prominent of which are:
-Living a long life that God specifically bestowed upon them.
-Living in occultation and not appearing except when needed.
-Temporary appearances to certain individuals based on divine expediency.
-Performing secret missions. Secrecy in movements and missions.
-Similarity in performing some divine duties, such as guiding the lost.
How Does the Story of Khidr and Moses Inspire a Civilizational Approach Based on Divine Values?
Khidr (Peace be upon him), as revealed in his meeting with Moses (Peace be upon him), possesses some character traits that can be considered the cornerstones of building a contemporary divine and Islamic civilization, based on justice, wisdom, and balance. The details of these character traits are as follows:
Divine Wisdom: The Foundation of Divine Civilization
Khidr (Peace be upon him) is the manifestation of divine knowledge that transcends the human intellect. All his actions, which outwardly seemed completely illogical and wrong, held significant civilizational implications. Making a hole in the ship was a preemptive measure to protect the poor and prevent oppression, reflecting the importance of preemptive action in avoiding social disasters. Killing the boy, however, was planning for the future aimed at protecting a believing family from trials, demonstrating the importance of a long-term perspective in reformative decisions.
Social Work and Care for the Weak
The social dimension in Khidr’s (Peace be upon him) actions manifested in his attention to protecting vulnerable and marginalized groups. In the story of erecting the wall, the goal was to protect the orphans’ rights to a treasure left for them by their father, highlighting the role of officials and leaders in protecting the rights of those unable to defend themselves, which is a pivotal aspect for any flourishing civilization.
Divine Justice as the Basis of Civilization
The importance of justice lies not merely in outward appearances but in the realization of ultimate goals. This is what Khidr (Peace be upon him) demonstrated through killing the boy, revealing that justice may sometimes require sacrificing an individual to protect an entire family or a society.
Patience and Learning: Conditions for Civilizational Movement
A civilization is not built in haste, nor does it endure without continuous learning. Patience and learning are two essential elements for achieving a civilizational movement. Being patient is necessary to understand God’s wisdom in events, and constant striving to acquire knowledge is fundamental for broadening horizons and acting wisely. This balance between patience and learning is the bedrock upon which a sustainable, human civilization based on divine values can be built. Khidr (Peace be upon him) showed unparalleled patience from the very first moment he met Moses (Peace be upon him) and throughout the journey.
Trusting God’s Plan and the Unseen Dimension
All of Khidr’s actions, behaviors, and decisions revealed during his journey with Moses (Peace be upon him) were by divine command, showing the importance of trusting God’s plan and the spiritual dimension in building societies. This strong spiritual foundation builds a faith that enables a person to make bold decisions to achieve good, even if these decisions are not comprehensible to everyone.
The Necessity of Wilayah (Guardianship) and Obedience to the Leader
Wilayah and obedience to the divine leader are the foundations for building an Islamic society and ensuring its development. The Oneness of Allah’s Lordship (Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah), which is the direct manifestation of divine sovereignty on earth, is not realized except through wilayah because wilayah is obedience to God and the mediator between the servant and his Lord.
God Almighty chooses His friends to be the manifestations of His rule and the executors of His will. The Wali of God (the guardian chose by God) does not speak except according to what God has commanded and does not rule except by God’s command. Therefore, obedience to the Wali of God is not merely a human obligation, but an intellectual and spiritual devotion that reveals the depth of faith in God and His oneness. It is here that Imam Khomeini (May his soul be sanctified) says: “In Islam, sovereignty belongs only to God, and human beings have no right in legislating or issuing rulings” (43).
The story of Khidr with Moses (Peace be upon them) clearly embodies the importance of obedience to the Wali of God. Prophet Moses knew that Khidr was the divinely appointed guardian, yet he sought to understand the wisdom behind Khidr’s actions, and despite being asked to follow Khidr, he began to question and doubt. This shows that obedience to the Wali of God should not be based on our personal understanding of wisdom, but must be founded on submission to the truth that the Wali of God merely executes God’s commands. Furthermore, this is not limited to outward appearances but must extend to the heart and intention, such that the believer does not even inwardly object to the actions of the Wali of God or be displeased with them.
Sifting and Divine Testing
Among the divine laws are the laws of sifting and testing. God Almighty reveals the essence of people through trials and events to show them how sincere they are in their lives. God Almighty wanted to teach Moses, through Khidr and during a joint journey, that divine wisdom might be hidden even from the prophets. Khidr’s actions, which seemed illogical and wrong, were tests to reveal Moses’ obedience, even when he did not understand the wisdom behind them.
Among the hardest trials in history are those related to the issue of wilayah and obedience. This trial may shake souls, and even derail some who were considered “elite.” Trials related to wilayah reveal who remains steadfast in obedience and who fails at the first test. Obedience to the wali requires absolute devotion, as was the case with the Commander of the Faithful, Ali (Peace be upon him), who was the paragon of devotion to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family); or Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas (Peace be upon him), who was obedient to his brother Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him). Abbas did not doubt the decisions of the Imam, as Muhammad bin Hanafiyyah did, but obeyed him with complete devotion because he was the Wali of God.
A trial is nothing but a mirror that shows the truth and clarifies the true believers who sacrifice everything in the way of God and in obedience to His Wali. Khidr’s actions showed that divine tests are not futile, but rather tools for educating and perfecting souls, and succeeding in them requires absolute submission and sincere devotion to God and His Wali.
Moral Structure and Human Principles
The moral structure and human principles manifested in the character of Khidr (Peace be upon him) reflect the importance of moral values in building a divine civilization. Protecting the rights of orphans and erecting the wall without receiving wages reflects altruism and social activism. A civilization built on moral values is more sustainable because it prioritizes justice and the protection of the weak, leading to a divine, flourishing, and enduring society.
All these character traits present a divine model for building a balanced society that upholds reform and rights, coupled with a firm connection to divine and moral values.
The life of Khidr (Peace be upon him) is an inexhaustible source of wisdom and inspiration, as his stories have taught us profound lessons in patience, reform, and reliance on God. His character traverses various eras, observing generations fall and civilizations collapse, waiting for the day the Promised Savior appears, and remaining patient throughout the ages. He is the one who said to the Interlocutor of God (Moses): “You certainly cannot be patient [enough] with me.” These words were nothing but a gateway to a world of wisdom veiled in ambiguity. Taking inspiration from these principles can be the cornerstone of building the New Islamic Civilization that elevates the values of justice and mercy.
Khidr (Peace be upon him) is not merely a divinely appointed guardian, but an open door to the unseen and a secret among the secrets of the hidden realms. Not only that, but he has a unique relationship with the Imam of the Time (Peace be upon him); he is the companion of the Imam and his associate during the time of occultation, and connecting with him means opening the doors of communication and establishing a spiritual connection with the Hujjat (Proof) for whom we are waiting.
In this article, we explored the biography of Khidr (Peace be upon him) amidst the narrations, hadiths, and verses of the Quran about him, and we also reviewed some of the character traits from which we take inspiration to build a divine society.
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