Is It True That Khidir Is Still Alive?

Khidir is a pious servant mentioned by Allah SWT in Surah Al-Kahfi as a companion to Prophet Musa AS, from whom Musa learned. Khidir required him to be patient, to which Musa agreed. Khidir then remarked, “How can you be patient with something about which you do not have sufficient knowledge?”

Khidir was a servant bestowed with mercy and knowledge from Allah. As Musa walked with him, he witnessed the pious man making a hole in a boat. Musa asked, “Are you making a hole in it to cause its passengers to drown?” The subsequent events are detailed in Surah Al-Kahfi.

Musa was astonished by his actions until Khidir explained the underlying reasons for what had been done. At the conclusion of their conversation, Khidir stated, “I did not do this of my own accord. This is the explanation for the deeds about which you could not show patience.” This implies that all these actions were solely by the will of Allah SWT.

Some people claim that Khidir lived after the time of Musa until the era of Isa, and subsequently into the era of Prophet Muhammad SAW; they believe he is still alive and will remain so until the Day of Judgment.

People have written various stories, chronicles, and legends claiming that Khidir encountered certain individuals, provided them with clothing (kirqah), or left them with messages.

However, the opinion that Khidir is still alive—as some temporarily assume—is entirely unjust. On the contrary, there are proofs from the Quran, the Sunnah, reason, and the consensus (ijma) of the scholars of this Ummah that Khidir has passed away.

I find it sufficient to quote the explanation from the book Al-Manaarul Muniif fil Haditsish Shahih wa adh-Dha’if by Ibnul Qayyim. Ibnul Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions in that book the characteristics of fabricated (maudlu) hadiths, which are not accepted in the religion. Among these characteristics are “hadiths that tell stories about Khidir and his life.” All of these are falsehoods; not a single one of them is an authentic (sahih) hadith.