Who Is Al-Khidr?
من هو الخضر؟
Al-Khidr is a man whom the majority of scholars believe to have been a Prophet or a man of great knowledge. During the years that the Children of Israel wandered in the desert, unable to enter the Promised Land because of their denial and transgression, Moses met al-Khidr and spent time with him.
Narrated Ubai bin Ka'b: The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "Once Prophet Moses stood up and addressed the Children of Israel. He was asked, 'Who is the most learned man amongst the people?' He said, 'I am the most learned.' Allah admonished Moses, as he did not attribute absolute knowledge to Him. So Allah inspired him, 'At the junction of the two seas there is a slave amongst My slaves who is more learned than you...'"
أغلبية العلماء يعتقدون أنه نبي أو رجل صالح ذو علم واسع. عندما كان بنو إسرائيل يتيهون في الصحراء بسبب ظلمهم وجحودهم، أمضى موسى عليه السلام وقتًا مع الخضر.
روى أُبَيُّ بْنُ كَعْبٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: "قَامَ مُوسَى خَطِيبًا فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فَسُئِلَ أَيُّ النَّاسِ أَعْلَمُ فَقَالَ أَنَا أَعْلَمُ. فَعَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ إِذْ لَمْ يَرُدَّ الْعِلْمَ إِلَيْهِ، فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ أَنَّ عَبْدًا مِنْ عِبَادِي بِمَجْمَعِ الْبَحْرَيْنِ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ مِنْكَ."
1. A Scholarly Question: Prophet or a Man of Vast Knowledge? | سؤالٌ علمي: نبيٌّ أم رجلٌ ذو علمٍ واسع؟
Scholars are not unanimous on Al-Khidr's exact status; most hold he was either a prophet or a righteous man endowed with exceptional knowledge from Allah directly. This uncertainty does not diminish his role in the story that follows, but it does mean his authority came from a source distinct from Musa's own prophetic mission.
2. Timing: During the Years of Wandering | التوقيت: خلال سنوات التيه
The answer places this meeting within the period the Children of Israel spent wandering in the desert, unable to enter the Promised Land because of their earlier refusal and denial. Locating the story in this particular window connects it to the broader arc of consequences following that refusal.
3. Musa's Unqualified Claim to Be Most Knowledgeable | ادعاء موسى العلم الأوسع دون تحفظ
When asked directly who was the most learned person alive, Musa answered simply, "I am the most learned," without qualifying the claim by attributing ultimate knowledge to Allah alone. Even a prophet who spoke directly with Allah was corrected for not attributing knowledge to Allah in this answer.
4. Allah's Correction: A Servant More Learned at the Junction of the Two Seas | تصحيح الله: عبدٌ أعلم عند مجمع البحرين
Allah reproves Musa for this claim and directs him specifically to a servant more learned than himself, found at the junction of the two seas. This precise correction sets the entire subsequent journey in motion, sending Musa to actively seek out and learn from someone else, a notable posture for a prophet already carrying his own revealed Law.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Who is Al-Khidr?
A man most scholars regard as either a prophet or a righteous man of great knowledge from Allah.
When did Moses meet Al-Khidr?
This answer places it during the years the Children of Israel wandered in the desert; the Quran and hadith do not specify the time.
What claim did Moses make that Allah corrected?
He said he was the most learned person alive, without attributing ultimate knowledge to Allah.
Where did Allah direct Moses to find someone more learned than him?
At the junction of the two seas.