In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent and Merciful

Hafiz ibnus Salaah – 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 Nawawi has given a similar view. (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 arguement. 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)

Of Course Allah knows best

[Answer provided by: Muhammad Salim Ghisa]