'They are people with high status prestige' (qasida 15:48)

This is the motto of this section, which is for talking about the companions and beloved ones to our prophet Mohammad [PPBUH].

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An Eternal Life Prophet

Al-Khadr [AAH]

 

His real name is Ilya ibn Balkan, and his nickname is Abu Al-Abbas. There is a difference of opinion about his father's name: "Malkan", "Aabil" or "Qabil". Al-Hafez ibn Hager in Fateh Al-Bary said that the first is the most common. He is known as al-Khadr or al-Khadir (in Arabic refers to green color). Many say that he got his name after he sat over a Karwa (white grass) that became green under him. This actually agrees with a Hadeeth narrated by Abu-Horira and presented by Al-Bokhary and Ibn Hagar; that al-Nabi [PPBUH] said: (He was called "al-Khadr", because he was sitting on a Karwa which shook into green". Abdel Razek and al-Kadi Ayad said that Karwa is white grass, but Ibn al-Acrabi said that it is a white land free of any plants.

Imam an-Nawawi states in his book Refining the names and languages: that there is a consensus among the Sufis and the people of knowledge righteousness that al-Khadr is still alive. There are plenty of stories - too many to count and too famous to list - about people meeting him, talking to him, narrating from him, and seeing him in holy places and places for charity. Abu Is-shaq a-Thaclaby mentioned that there is a difference of opinion about his time; is it the same as Ibrahim [PBUH]? is it little after him? or long after him? He said: "Al-Khadr is alive, as all agreed. He is hidden from most people’s eyes. He will die at the end of time, when the Quran is elevated."

al-Hafez ibn Hager states that: Al-Khadr' life is to be extended, until he challenges the False Messiah (Antichrist). He also says: Al-Hassan Al-Basry said: "that Ilyas is responsible for the lands, whereas Al-Khadr is responsible for the seas. They are both given  eternity in life till the First Blast (the beginning of the Judgment day). They meet every year in Al-Hajj season".

Al-Hafez Al-Seyouti was asked whether Al-Khadr, Ilyas and Adris are still alive. His answered that the three are still alive.

In his interpretation of [And We exalted him to a lofty station] (Maryam 19:58), Ibn Hatim said that Adris did not die, but he was elevated to heaven like Jesus. Some scholars claim that there are four alive prophets; two in heaven - Adris and Jesus - and two on earth - al-Khadr and Ilyas. Ibn Ady narrated Ibn Abbas's saying: Ilyas and Al-Khidr meet every year in Al-Hajj season. They shave each other's head. In farewell, they say "In the name of Allah, Masha’ Allah (it is Allah’s will), it is Allah who brings all good. Masha’ Allah, it is Allah who prevents all bad. Masha’ Allah, it is Allah who gives all gifts. Masha’ Allah, there is no power no strength but from Allah."

There is a difference in opinion about his time, but surely, he was at the time of Alexander ibn Faylaqos, Dhul al-Qarnayn the Great. Alexander the Great was at the same time of Ibrahim [PBUH].

Is Al-Khadr a prophet or a saint?

Many stated that he is a prophet, but al-Qushary said in his message, that he is a saint. His story with Moses [PBUH] indicates that he is a prophet. Al-cAyni claims in his book, cumdat Al-Qari, that he is a prophet. Al-Thaclaby said "he is a long lifer prophet who is hidden from sights". Al-Imam Al-Qortuby said "he is a prophet, because he teaches prophets, and prophets are not taught by whose rank is less than them. Moreover, he has divine knowledge which is only revealed to prophets". Al-Imam Abu Hayyan Al-Nahawy said "He is a prophet to whom divine knowledge is revealed, while as Moses [PBUH] had the worldly religious knowledge."

In a Hadith narrated by both al-Bukhary and Muslim, a story that sayydina Moses [PBUH] once told his people, in a speech, that no man knows more than him, but Allah replied to him saying: "Our servant, Al-Khadr knows more than you". When we say that "a prophet knows more than the people of his time", it means that he knows more than the people to whom he was sent. Moses was not sent to al-khadr, therefore, it is no shame to Moses' that al-Khadr knows more than him in this special aspect, assuming that Al-Khadr is a prophet or even a saint. One evidence of his prophecy is his saying to Moses [and I did it not of my own accord] (Al-Kahf 18:83).

Al-Hafez Al-Sayouty, in his Al-Dur Al-manthur (spread pearls), interpreted [upon whom We had bestowed Our mercy] (Al-Kahf 18:66) as giving him guidance and prophecy.

Al-Khidr was in the front of the army of Alexander the 1st, who is entitled Dhul al-Qarnain the Great, as a consultant or a minister. As for Alexander the 2nd, who is entitled Dhul al-Qarnain the Young, he was almost 2000 years after Al-Khadr and 300 years before Jesus. His minister was Aristotle, the philosopher.

Imam al-Yafecy [AAH] said in his book Rawd Al-Rayahin: 

There is a consensus among scholars, saints and fundamentalists that al-Khadr is still alive. Some scholars asked Imam cEzz Al-Din ibn Abdel Salam whether al-Khadr was still alive. He answered: what would you say if Ibn Daqiq al-cEid (a famous scholar) told you that he saw him? Would you believe him?. They answered: yes, we would. So, he said: I swear that seventy truthful saints, everyone of them is better than Ibn Daqiq, said that they saw him in person".

Ibn Asaker states, in a study of Alexander the 1st, that Dhul Qarnain used to have an angel friend. One day, he asked his friend to tell him about something that makes his life longer. The angel told him about the Water of Life. It was in a dark place. Both Dhul Qarnain and Al-Khidr went there, but Al-Khidr got it first and Dhul Qarnain did not.

Al-Imam Al-Suhayly says that al-Khadr drank from the Water of Life, so he will be alive, until the False Messiah appears. He is the one whom the False Messiah will kill and revive again. The Water of Life was also mentioned by the famous al-Bokhary and al-Turmazy who stick to honesty is their books.

Al-Bayhaqy says: When the prophet [PPBUH] passed away, his companions surrounded him and cried. All of a sudden, a white-bearded, handsome man came. He cried and said to them: "Allah has the condolence of every catastrophe and the compensation for every loss. Ask Allah for His help! He will give your patience". Then, he left. The prophet's companions asked one another about him. Abu Bakr and Ali said that he is the prophet's brother, al-Khadr". This proves that he was still alive at the time of the prophet [PPBUH] and after him. Of course, they know him from prophet Mohamed [PPBUH].   

Al-Bayhaqy narrated Gafer ibn Mohamed's saying: His father once asked: Do you want me to tell you about prophet Mohamed [PPBUH]? They said: yes. He said: after prophet Mohamed passed away, people heard a voice coming from the direction of the house, saying "Alsalamu Alikum Ahl al-Bait and Allah's mercy and blessings be upon you. Allah has condolence in every catastrophe. So, trust Him and ask Him, as the real calamity is if you lose the reward". Ali [AHHF] said Do you know who he is? He is al-Khadr.

Ibn Abi Al-Dunya narrated from Mohamed Ibn Yahia from Ali ibn Abi Taleb [AAH]: While I was circumambulating the Kacba, I saw a man clinging to the curtains of Kacba. He was saying: You, Allah who always hear us, who is never fed up from beggars, let me taste the coolness of your forgiveness and the sweetness of your mercy! I asked him to repeat what he said. He replied: I swear by who owns al-Khadr's soul, if you have as many sins as stars in sky and small stones, Allah will forgive you in a blink of an eye". That was al-Khadr.

   

Edited by Dr. Ahmed Basyouni

Translated by Nahed

 

Whoever wants to read more about the great companions, can browse the companions pages in al-Ahbab site.

 

Editors Team