M1:225 — آن پسر را کِش خضر بُبرید حلق / سِرِّ آن را در نیابد عام خَلق

Translation: That boy whose throat Khidr cut, The secret of that, the common folk do not grasp. Meaning: Referring to the story of Khidr and Moses, this verse states that actions emanating from divine command and revelation transcend the superficial understanding and judgment of ordinary people, concealing profound secrets within them.

I myself have contemplated the story of Khidr and Moses extensively, and this Quranic narrative has always been a source of many questions and interpretations. Was it a historical event? Who was this mysterious figure, Khidr, and how can these strange acts, such as slaying a boy, be justified? The Holy Quran itself offers explanations through Khidr's own words, but often, these explanations raise dozens of further questions, making the knots tighter rather than looser. For instance, the justification that the boy was killed so his parents would not later turn infidel begs the question: does God treat everyone whose children might go astray in the same manner? These are the questions that have troubled exegetes.

However, Mowlana, with his profound and mystical insight, offers an interpretation that transcends these pitfalls. He states: "That boy whose throat Khidr cut, / The secret of that, the common folk do not grasp." The common people see only the apparent act and judge it by their own moral paradigms, but they are unable to comprehend the "secret" inherent in it. Why? Mowlana answers plainly, saying: "He who receives revelation and answer from God / Whatever He commands is the essence of righteousness," and he adds: "He who gives life, if he takes it, is rightful; / He is a deputy, and his hand is God's hand."

These words unveil Mowlana's wisdom. He believes that Khidr received direct revelation and command from the Almighty. One who becomes the tongue and hand of God, their actions no longer fit within the framework of human judgments. It is God who grants life, and therefore God has the right to take life. In this مقام (station), Khidr is not a "murderer" in the conventional sense, but a "deputy" and a divine agent. Just as Azrael cannot be labeled a "murderer" because his mission is to take souls, Khidr too, in his divine mission, performed an act that was the very essence of righteousness.

Mowlana links this logic to the story of Abraham sacrificing Ishmael. Abraham, too, was commanded in a dream (a form of revelation) to kill his son, and he was ready to obey without question. This represents the pinnacle of submission and obedience to divine command, which transcends our conventional reason and ethics. This secret is revealed only to those who have drawn themselves close to the divine presence and are connected to the source of revelation; the common folk, who are deprived of this connection, see only the outward appearance and judge and condemn it by their imperfect standards.

Key takeaways

• Actions stemming from divine revelation transcend the moral judgment and comprehension of ordinary people.
• In his story, Khidr was not a murderer but a deputy acting on divine command to take a life.
• He who grants life also has the right to take it; humans have no right to object to this absolute prerogative.
• Understanding these truths requires connection to the source of revelation and grasping the 'secret,' not judging based on appearances.
• Mowlana links this logic to Abraham's readiness to sacrifice Ishmael, emphasizing absolute submission to divine decree.