Reading the Story of Moses and Khidr through the Lens of Islamic Law

Al-Kahf (18, vv. 60–82) is often cited as the locus classicus for Muslim discussions about the relationship between mysticism and doctrine. This passage in the Qur’an tells the story of an encounter between the prophet Moses and an unnamed figure whom tradition identifies as Khiḍr.¹ Al-Jāmiʿ li-aḥkām al-qurʾān (The Compendium of Legal Rulings of the Qur’an) by Abū ʿAbd Allāh Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Qurṭubī (d. 671 AH/1272 CE) and al-Tafsīr al-kabīr (The Great Commentary) (or Mafātīḥ al-ghayb [The Keys of the Unseen]) by Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī (d. 606/1210) indicate that most scholars considered Khiḍr a prophet, although al-Qurṭubī’s commentary indicates that others considered Khiḍr a righteous servant of God or an angel.² One argument in support of the view that Khiḍr is a prophet is the following: Khiḍr was Moses’s guide and teacher so he must be superior to Moses; only a prophet can be superior to another prophet; therefore Khiḍr was a prophet. This argument is mentioned in both al-Jāmiʿ li-aḥkām al-qurʾān and al-Tafsīr al-kabīr (tsq, 751).³

The story begins with Moses and his servant setting out on a quest for “the place where the two seas meet.” The passage reads as follows:

(v. 60) And when Moses said unto his servant, “I shall continue on till I reach the junction of the two seas, even if I journey for a long time. (v. 61) Then when they reached the junction of the two, they forgot their fish, and it made its way to the sea, burrowing away. (v. 62) Then when they had passed beyond, he said to his servant, “Bring us our meal. We have certainly met with weariness on this journey of ours.” (v. 63) He said, “Didst thou see? When we took refuge at the rock, indeed I forgot the fish—and naught made me neglect to mention it, save Satan—and it made its way to the sea in a wondrous manner!” (v. 64) He said, “That is what we were seeking.” So they turned back, retracing their steps. (v. 65) There they found a servant from among Our servants whom We had granted a mercy from Us and whom We had taught knowledge from Our Presence. (v. 66) Moses said unto him, “Shall I follow thee, that thou mightest teach me some of that what thou hast been taught of sound judgement?” (v. 67) He said, “Truly thou wilt not be able to bear patiently with me. (v. 68) And how canst thou bear patiently that which thou dost not encompass in awareness?” (v. 68) He said, “Thou wilt find me patient, if God wills, and I shall not disobey thee in any matter.” (v. 70) He said, “If thou wouldst follow me, then question me not about anything, till I make mention of it to thee.” (v. 71) So they went on till, when they had embarked upon a ship, he made a hole therein. He said, “Didst thou make a hole in it in order to drown its people? Thou hast done a monstrous thing!” (v. 72) He said, “Did I not say unto thee that thou wouldst not be able to bear patiently with me?” (v. 73) He said, “Take me not to task for having forgotten, not make me suffer much hardship on account of what I have done.” (v. 74) So they went on till they met a young boy, and he slew him. He said, “Didst thou slay a pure soul who had slain no other soul? Thou hast certainly done a terrible thing!” (v. 75) He said, “Did I not say unto thee that thou wouldst not be able to bear patiently with me?” (v. 76) He said, “If I question thee concerning aught after this, then keep my company no more. Thou hast...