alKhidr

Al-Khidr, also transliterated Khidr or Khizr, meaning “the Green One” in Arabic, is a legendary figure in Islamic tradition. He is depicted as a righteous, enigmatic servant of God possessed of special knowledge and wisdom, whose exact status varies across traditions.

In the Qur’an, a mysterious figure meets Moses and reveals hidden knowledge after guiding him to understand events Moses cannot yet comprehend. The person in Surah al-Kahf (18:65–82) is unnamed in the text, but later Islamic tradition identifies him with al-Khidr. The episode emphasizes humility before divine wisdom and the limits of human understanding.

Identity and role differ among scholars and communities. In most Sunni and Shia lines, al-Khidr is not considered a prophet but a wali (saint) granted long life and hidden knowledge. Some traditions ascribe prophetic status to him; others describe him as an immortal guardian who appears to aid the righteous and reveal aspects of God’s plan. His emblematic green garment symbolizes life, renewal, and paradise, and he is often associated with water and wells in various legends.

Influence and practice extend across the Muslim world. Al-Khidr features prominently in Sufi literature, poetry, and folk belief, where he is seen as a wandering guide who can appear to those in need, offering lessons in humility, patience, and trust in God. Many communities honor him through stories, shrines, and pilgrimages to sites attributed to him, spanning regions from the Middle East to South Asia.

Legacy and interpretation continue to shape popular and religious imagination, presenting al-Khidr as a timeless guide whose teachings point to a divine order beyond ordinary perception.