Hafiz ibnus Salaah (RA) – a great Muhaddith himself – states, ‘He, Khidr
(Alayhis salaam), is alive according to the majority of the Ulama and
non-Ulama as well. There are only but a few of the Muhadditheen that refute
his existence.’ Imam Nawawiy (RA) has also mentioned similar to this.
(Fataawa ibnus Salaah vol.1 pg.185; Fathul Baari vol.6 pg.527)
Those who claim that Khidr (Alayhis salaam) no longer exists use the
following as their proof in argument.
1. The Aayat of the noble Qur’aan, ‘And we have not granted any human
immortality.’ (Ambiyaa 34). Those who believe in Khidhr’s (Alayhis salaam)
existence would reply to this argument that, the existence of Khidhr
(Alayhis salaam) till this day does not necessitate him being immortal.
2. The Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) recorded by Imaam
Bukhari (RA) and others that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said,
‘None shall remain on the face of the earth from among those that are
present on the earth today – after a hundred years.’ Those that believe in
his existence answer this by mentioning the position of Khidhr (Alayhis
salaam) being on the sea at that time at Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi
Wasallam) mentioned this regarding the people of the land and not the sea.
3. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) in his Du’aa on the night of the
battle of Badr mentioned, ‘Oh Allah, if you destroy this group of my
companions then there shall remain nobody on the face of the earth who will
worship you.’ However, the same reply as the previous can be given.
And over and above that, it could be said that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu
Alayhi Wasallam) did not intend the literal meaning, for the fact that there
were some companions that were not present on that battlefield due to some
reason, not forgetting the women and children who would have also kept
worshipping Allah Ta’ala even after the death of these who took part in
Badr.
Furthermore, though there may be no solid Shar’ee proof for establishing his
existence, reality and time bears witness to it. Imam Nawawiy (RA)( states,
‘The amount of incidents and occurrences regarding him as well as the
experiences of the pious with him are innumerable.’ (Fathul Bari vol.6
pg.528)
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Moulana Muhammad ibn Moulana Haroon Abbassommar
FACULTY OF SPECIALTY IN HADITH
CHECKED AND APPROVED: Mufti Ebrahim Desai