Prophet al-Khidr: Between the Qur'anic Text and Islamic Contexts

(Hardback)

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The Qur'anic verses 18:60-82 in Srat al-Kahf present the story of Khir and Moses as a lesson on the modalities of being and of knowing. Traditionally, the story is seen from a variety of vantage points which include historical, textual, literary, and allegorical, each of which is framed differently depending upon the religio-cultural context. This book, in addition to examining the theological sources, traces the storys mythical, mystical, and popular interpretations engendered by the Qur'anic story. The author argues that the storys major contribution is its ability to communicate the importance of cultivating humility - a fundamental goal for any person of faith. Despite his importance in the Quran, Moses is not the main hero in this story; instead, he is being used to point to an even higher truth pertaining to the spiritual dimensions of faith. This book suggests that Khirs Qur'anic story symbolizes these truths by providing a perspective on the tension between materiality and spirituality, the hir (exoteric) and the bin (esoteric), and human and divine forms of knowledge. Additionally, in this work the Khir narrative is viewed as a source of nourishment for theories that speak to the intersectionality between Islam and other religious traditions.

Reviews

Omar offers a fresh and insightful narrative of a timeless, ubiquitous, protean, and always engaging figure in Islamicate literature and lore. He draws on a wide range of sources, from exegesis of the Qurans Sura of the Cave (18) to mystical texts elaborating on Al-Khidrs unique spiritual credentials. Omar emphasizes throughout Al-Khidrs role as an inter-religious cross-cultural symbol of mediation and liberation from stereotypesan initiator who continually surprises with manifestations of his stature and versatility as a paradigmatic sage and mentor.

Author Bio

Irfan A. Omar is associate professor at Marquette University