Explaining the Quiddity of Prophet Khidr (PBUH) with the Focus on Interpretive Analysis of Verses 60 to 82 of Surah Al-Kahf and Removing Doubts About It

Abstract

The story of the meeting of Prophet Moses with Prophet Khidr is mentioned in verses 60 to 82 of Surah al-Kahf. The latter is introduced as Khidr in the narrations and in the following years he also met with the Imams, on the basis of which his long life has been discussed. This story has many ambiguities and doubts. How the Prophet Moses, as the 'Ulu al-ʿAzm Prophet, followed that person and the deeds done by the wise person, which is not accepted in any divine law, and this has left much discussions for the commentators. The cause of this endless life is not well known. Most commentators have gone into the confusing details of the story and tried to resolve it. They have considered Moses' obedience to Khidr outside the legislative system and due to the evolution of Khidr's actions, they have considered a different personality for him that has no similar texts anywhere and attributed the long life of this personality to drinking the Fountain of Youth. These questionable justifications led to the study of the essence of the problem and the identification of the nature of Khidr’s personality from different angles. According to the interpretation of the Qur'an by the Qur'an, we have examined the various dimensions of the story in order to gain a Qur'anic knowledge of this character. At first glance, this story does not have the same in other verses, but in many similarities in the identity, duties and deeds of Khidr with the angels, the possibility has been stronger that Khidr has been an angel. Introducing Prophet Khidr not as a human being but as an angel including the divine messenger angels can answer all questions and doubts accurately and without any conflict and opposition with the Qur'an and religious principles and Shiism.