Q. As-salamu alaykum Rabbi.in Quran.there were three mysterious person. You have discussed Zul Karnayn and Luqman. Is there Khidr were mention in Torah? A. Wa aleikum salaam wa rahmatullah. The ayat in the Quran attributed to Khidr (ra), Moses (pbuh) and Joshua (pbuh) are attributed to Elijah (pbuh) and Rabbi Joshua in Rabbinical tradition. It also said that Elijah (pbuh) was a companion of Moses (pbuh), and he is called Pinchas in the Torah. In Sura Al-Kahf 18, verses 65–82, Moses (pbuh) meets the Servant of God, referred in the Quran as one of our slaves whom We had granted mercy from Us and whom We had taught knowledge from Ourselves. Muslim scholars identify him as al-Khiḍr, although he is not explicitly named in the Quran and there is no reference to him being immortal or being especially associated with esoteric knowledge. The Quran states that they meet at the junction of the two seas and Moses (pbuh) asks for permission to accompany the Servant of God so Moses (pbuh) can learn right knowledge of what [he has] been taught. The Servant informs him in a stern manner that their knowledge is of different nature and that Surely you [Moses (pbuh) ] cannot have patience with me. And how canst thou have patience about things about which thy understanding is not complete? Moses (pbuh) promises to be patient and obey him unquestioningly, and they set out together. After they board a ship, the Servant of God damages the vessel. Forgetting his oath, Moses (pbuh) says, Have you made a hole in it to drown its inmates? Certainly you have done a grievous thing. The Servant reminds Moses (pbuh) of his warning, Did I not say that you will not be able to have patience with me? and Moses (pbuh) pleads not to be rebuked. Next, the Servant of God kills a young man. Moses (pbuh) again cries out in astonishment and dismay, and again the Servant reminds Moses (pbuh) of his warning, and Moses (pbuh) promises that he will not violate his oath again, and that if he does he will excuse himself from the Servants presence. They then proceed to a town where they are denied hospitality. This time, instead of harming anyone or anything, the Servant of God restores a decrepit wall in the village. Yet again Moses (pbuh) is amazed and violates his oath for the third and last time, asking why the Servant did not at least exact some recompense for it! The Servant of God replies, This shall be separation between me and you; now I will inform you of the significance of that with which you could not have patience. Many acts which seem to be evil, malicious or somber, actually are merciful. The boat was damaged to prevent its owners from falling into the hands of a king who seized every boat by force. And as for the boy, his parents were believers and we feared lest he should make disobedience and ingratitude to come upon them. God will replace the child with one better in purity, affection and obedience. As for the restored wall, the Servant explained that underneath the wall was a treasure belonging to two helpless orphans whose father was a righteous man. As Gods envoy, the Servant restored the wall, showing Gods kindness by rewarding the piety of the orphans father, and so that when the wall becomes weak again and collapses, the orphans will be older and stronger and will take the treasure that belongs to them. In the Midrash, the following tradition is recorded One day, when Elijah was on his errands of mercy, he was met by Rabbi Joshua. Although usually unseen by anyone, unless the Prophet wants to be seen and recognized, Rabbi Joshua saw and recognized Elijah and greeted him respectfully. Then he begged the Prophet to take him along on his journey. Where I go, Elijah replied, there must be no human companion. Humans do not see everything, and what they see they do not always understand. Pray, be not curious, let me go. Elijahs words only strengthened Rabbi Joshuas desire to accompany the Prophet and benefit from his companionship. The sage continued to plead: I promise that I shalt not weary you with questions and shall in no way interfere with your mission. Take me with you, Master. sage: Remember, as soon as you will begin asking me questions to explain that which you will not understand, our ways must part. Towards evening the weary old travelers came to an old shaky hut of a poor couple. Both the man and his wife were sitting outside their home. When they saw the two travelers they rose and, in the true fashion of the children of Abraham, they welcomed the strangers to their humble home. What little food they had in the house, they gladly shared with the guests, and offered them their beds for rest. They themselves made their beds on the straw in the cow-shed that housed their cow. The cow was their only valuable possession, for its milk was their whole source of income. In the morning the Prophet and sage took leave from the kindly couple, as soon as they were out of sight, the Prophet Elijah prayed that the cow of the poor couple should fall dead. Rabbi Joshua was terribly shocked and upset. Why should you repay for the kindness and hospitality of these people with such ingratitude?! he wanted to exclaim. But he remembered the Prophets warning and kept his silence. All day long they wandered together and the Prophet taught the sage many teachings without a word of explanation about his way with the poor couple. Towards evening they came to a fine mansion and asked permission to spend the night there. The rich man who lived there did not receive them with a friendly face. Grudgingly he permitted them to stay the night in his house, but offered them no food or a kind word. In the morning, as they were about to leave, they noticed a crack in the wall. Elijah did not say a word, but no sooner were they gone when the Prophet prayed that the cracked, dangerous wall be restored to solid strength. Again Rabbi Joshua was amazed. Why should the rich miser be spared the trouble and expense of repairing his wall? thought he, but remembering the Prophets warning he held his peace. After a long and tiring days journey, the two reached a city that had a beautiful House of Prayer. The walls were made of marble, and the benches of carved wood. The scrolls were richly adorned, and the Ark was a masterpiece of art. Here, certainly, we shall be made welcome and treated with respect, thought Rabbi Joshua. But he was wrong again. After the evening prayers, no one seemed to take an interest in the strangers, and none of the wealthy members offered them a bed and food. The Prophet and the sage had to spend the night on the precious but hard wooden benches. When they left in the morning, the Prophet wished the members of the community that they should all become Aldermen of the city. Rabbi Joshua was sorely tried to keep his silence, what with his empty stomach and aching bones. The Prophets blessing to the unkind people puzzled him greatly, but he sealed his lips and buried his question deep in his heart. The companions reached another city. The House of Prayer was not as beautiful as the one they visited the day before, but the people made up for it in kindness and hospitality. They enjoyed a rest in the best house of the town, and were honored like princes. When it was time to go, the Prophet turned to the good people and said: May G-d grant that only one of you be a leader. This was the last straw. The sage was no longer able to control himself. Forgetting the Prophets warning, he exclaimed: Revered Master! Far be it from me to tell you what to do. Yet it seems to me that you add insult to injury; that you reward good with evil, and evil with good. Please explain to me your strange ways. I warned you that humans judge by the sight of their eyes, but there is more in life than meets the eye. According to our agreement, you will have to leave me now. But let me explain to you at least what you have witnessed, and your heart will be able to live in peace. You see, the poor old couple who received us so nicely on the first night of our journey, certainly deserved our gratitude. I saw to my great sorrow that that very day the woman was destined to die. We gave them an opportunity, to do an act of charity and I prayed to G-d that she should live, and that their cow take her place. Although they lost their most precious possession, they will be able to stay together for a few years more. He who gives life will also provide for their support. I see now, exclaimed Rabbi joshua. But what about that rich miser, and his cracked wall? There was a huge treasure buried beneath the wall. Had it collapsed, the miser would have found it. Thats why. I could not have known that, of course, said Rabbi Joshua. Now, why did you bless the men of the beautiful synagogue who did not open their homes to us? That was no blessing, my friend, replied Elijah. A community where everybody is a leader is not a happy place to live in. This is also the explanation of my wish to the kind and hospitable citizens of the last place we visited. Let them have one respected and able leader who is dedicated to the good of all. There will be peace, harmony and co-operation in that blessed community, and it will prosper. You have opened my eyes, dear Master, exclaimed Rabbi Joshua. Go and teach our brethren the ways of G-d. Let them not be disheartened when they see the wicked prosper, or the righteous suffer. For while man judges by the sight of his eyes, G-d looks into the heart, and He rules the world with justice and mercy. Shalom! Peace be with you. The next moment Elijah was gone.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 09:54:31 +0000
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