Al-Khidr is one of the figures associated with the story of Prophet Moses in the Quran. His name, however, is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran. Instead, he is described as a servant of Allah who was granted mercy and special knowledge.

Scholars and historians have transmitted different opinions regarding his actual name, lineage, and life. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between what is established by authentic evidence and what appears in historical and interpretive reports.

What Was Al-Khidr’s Real Name?

Several opinions have been reported concerning the real name of Al-Khidr.

Ka'b al-Ahbar reportedly said that his name was Al-Khidr ibn 'Amil.

Ibn Ishaq reportedly identified him as Armia ibn Halqiya. However, Al-Tabari rejected this identification, pointing out that Armia lived during the time of Nebuchadnezzar, while a considerable period separates that era from the time of Moses.

Another reported view identifies him as Al-Khidr ibn Malkan ibn Faligh ibn Abir ibn Shalikh ibn Arfakhshadh ibn Sam ibn Noah.

Other versions of his lineage have also been transmitted by historians and scholars.

Why Was He Called Al-Khidr?

One of the most well-known explanations is that Al-Khidr was a title rather than his original name.

Because the reports concerning his actual name differ significantly, some scholars considered “Al-Khidr” to be the name by which he became known.

A well-known prophetic narration also connects the name with an incident involving greenery appearing after Al-Khidr sat on a barren surface.

Was Al-Khidr a Descendant of Adam?

Various reports have discussed Al-Khidr’s ancestry.

One report attributed to Ibn Abbas states that Al-Khidr was a direct son of Adam and that his lifespan was extended. However, this report has been described as disconnected and unusual.

Abu Hatim al-Sijistani also transmitted a report from some of his teachers stating that the longest-lived descendant of Adam was Al-Khidr, whose name was said to be Khadrun ibn Cain.

These reports belong to the transmitted historical and interpretive traditions and should not be presented as established facts without reliable evidence.

The Story of Adam’s Burial and Al-Khidr

A report attributed to Ibn Ishaq describes a supposed instruction from Adam before his death. According to the report, Adam instructed his children to carry his body with them during the Flood and bury him in a specified place.

After the Flood, Noah instructed his sons to carry out Adam’s wishes. According to the same report, they hesitated because of the isolation of the location.

The report then states that Al-Khidr eventually buried Adam and that his long life was connected to this event.

This account, however, belongs to historical reports transmitted in books of interpretation and biography and should not be treated as an established historical fact.

The Most Famous Views About Al-Khidr’s Lineage

Among the reported opinions are:

• Al-Khidr ibn 'Amil.
• Armia ibn Halqiya.
• Al-Khidr ibn Malkan ibn Faligh ibn Abir ibn Shalikh ibn Arfakhshadh ibn Sam ibn Noah.
• Bilya ibn Malkan ibn Faligh ibn Abir ibn Shalikh ibn Arfakhshadh ibn Sam ibn Noah.
• Khadrun ibn Cain.
• Al-Mu'ammar ibn Malik ibn Abdullah ibn Nasr ibn Al-Azd.

The variety of these reports shows why his exact name and lineage cannot be stated with certainty.

What Was Al-Khidr’s Kunya?

Some scholars reported that Al-Khidr’s kunya was Abu al-Abbas.

However, like the reports concerning his name and lineage, this information comes from transmitted accounts rather than an explicit statement in the Quran.

Is the Name Al-Khidr Mentioned in the Quran?

The Quran does not explicitly mention the name “Al-Khidr.”

His story appears in Surah Al-Kahf, where Allah says:

“Then they found one of Our servants to whom We had granted mercy from Us and taught knowledge from Our presence.”

The Quran does not identify him by name, while authentic prophetic traditions provide the context for identifying this servant as Al-Khidr.

What Kind of Knowledge Did Al-Khidr Have?

The Quran explains that Allah granted this servant mercy and taught him knowledge from Him.

The encounter between Moses and Al-Khidr demonstrates that human beings may not always understand the complete wisdom behind events, while Allah knows what is hidden and what consequences events will ultimately produce.

The incidents involving the ship, the young boy, and the wall illustrate how the apparent meaning of an event may differ from the deeper wisdom behind it.

Was Al-Khidr a Prophet or a Righteous Servant?

Scholars differed over whether Al-Khidr was a prophet or a righteous servant.

Those who considered him a prophet pointed to statements attributed to Al-Khidr in the Quran, including:

“I did not do it of my own accord.”

They also pointed to the special knowledge Allah granted him in the story of Moses.

This remains a matter discussed by scholars, and the safest approach is to distinguish firmly established evidence from later interpretations and historical reports.

Conclusion

Different opinions have been transmitted regarding Al-Khidr’s name and lineage. The Quran does not explicitly mention his name; rather, it describes him as a servant of Allah who was granted mercy and special knowledge.

Reports concerning his precise name, lineage, extraordinary lifespan, and the story of his alleged burial of Adam come from historical and interpretive sources, and some are not established through authentic chains of transmission.

Therefore, when discussing Al-Khidr, it is best to rely primarily on what is established in the Quran and authentic Sunnah while presenting historical reports as transmitted opinions rather than unquestionable facts.

Who was Al-Khidr?

Al-Khidr is the servant of Allah whose encounter with Prophet Moses is described in Surah Al-Kahf. Allah granted him mercy and special knowledge.

Is Al-Khidr’s name mentioned in the Quran?

No. The Quran does not explicitly mention his name and refers to him as a servant of Allah.

What was Al-Khidr’s real name?

Several names have been reported, but none can be established with certainty through decisive authentic evidence.

Is Al-Khidr still alive?

Different opinions have been transmitted regarding this question, but his continued life cannot be stated as certain without clear authentic evidence.

Was Al-Khidr a prophet?

Scholars differed on this issue. Some considered him a prophet, while others viewed him as a righteous servant of Allah.