The Story of Prophet Musa (AS) and Khidr

A Lesson in Divine Wisdom

Prophet Musa (AS) once learned of a righteous servant of Allah who possessed unique knowledge beyond his own. Eager to gain wisdom, Musa (AS) set out with his companion, Yusha (Joshua), in search of this man—known as Khidr.

When they met, Musa (AS) humbly asked Khidr if he could accompany him to learn from his divine insight. Khidr cautioned him, saying,

"You will not be able to remain patient with me, for how can you bear with something beyond your understanding?" (Quran, Surah Al-Kahf, Chapter 18, The Cave Verse 67-68).

Yet, Musa (AS) assured him that he would stay patient, and Khidr agreed—on the condition that Musa (AS) would not question his actions.

Who Is Khidr (AS) in Shia Islam?

In Shia tradition, Khidr (also called Al-Khidr or Khizr) holds a particularly elevated status as a divinely guided figure who transcends time. Shia scholars often associate him with the hidden knowledge of the Imams and view him as:

1. A Living Guide – Some narrations suggest Khidr remains alive, serving as a spiritual guide to the righteous, especially during the occultation of Imam Mahdi (AJ).

2. A Companion of the Imams – Shia hadiths indicate that Khidr met and assisted several Imams, including Imam Ali (AS) and Imam Reza (AS).

3. A Symbol of Wilayah (Divine Guardianship) – His knowledge (Ilm al-Ladunni) is linked to the esoteric wisdom bestowed upon the Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Unlike the Sunni view—where Khidr is primarily seen as a righteous servant—Shia Islam emphasizes his connection to the Imams and the concept of Batin (hidden) knowledge, which complements the Zahir (apparent) teachings of the prophets.

The Three Tests of Patience

1. The Damaged Boat
   They boarded a boat, and without warning, Khidr damaged it by creating a hole. Shocked, Musa (AS) exclaimed,

   "Have you scuttled it to drown its people? You have certainly done a grave thing!"(Quran, Surah Al-Kahf, Chapter 18, The Cave Verse 71).

   Khidr reminded him of his promise to remain patient.

2. The Killing of a Young Boy
   Later, Khidr encountered a young boy and killed him. Horrified, Musa (AS) cried out,

   "Have you killed an innocent soul who had killed no one? You have certainly done a horrible thing!" (Quran, Surah Al-Kahf, Chapter 18, The Cave Verse 74).

   Once again, Khidr reminded him of his pledge.

3. The Repaired Wall
   Finally, they entered a town where the people refused them hospitality. Yet, Khidr restored a crumbling wall—without asking for payment. Musa (AS), unable to hold back, questioned,

   "If you wished, you could have taken a payment for it!" (Quran, Surah Al-Kahf, Chapter 18, The Cave Verse 77).

At this point, Khidr declared that they must part ways—but before leaving, he revealed the hidden wisdom behind each action:

• The Boat: It belonged to poor fishermen, and a tyrant king was confiscating all seaworthy vessels. By slightly damaging it, Khidr saved the boat from seizure, ensuring the fishermen’s livelihood. (Quran, Surah Al-Kahf, Chapter 18, The Cave Verse 79)

• The Boy: The child would have grown into a tyrant, bringing grief to his faithful parents. Allah willed to replace him with a more righteous child, showing mercy in disguise. (Quran, Surah Al-Kahf, Chapter 18, The Cave Verse 80-81)

• The Wall: Beneath it lay a treasure belonging to two orphan boys, left by their pious father. Had the wall collapsed, the townspeople would have taken it. Khidr preserved it for their future. (Quran, Surah Al-Kahf, Chapter 18, The Cave Verse 82)

The Profound Lessons

1. Divine Wisdom Transcends Human Understanding:
   Musa (AS), as a prophet of divine law (Shari’ah), reacted based on apparent justice. Yet Khidr acted on Ilm al-Ladunni (special knowledge from Allah), showing that Allah’s wisdom operates beyond human perception.

2. Trust in Allah’s Plan:
   What seems unjust or harmful may, in reality, be part of a greater divine plan—full of mercy and justice.

3. Patience in the Face of the Unknown:
   True patience means trusting Allah even when His wisdom is not immediately clear.

SubhanAllah! Allah knows best, and His decree is perfect. This timeless story teaches us humility, trust, and the profound truth that Allah’s wisdom is infinite—far beyond what our limited minds can grasp.