KHIDR, AL-

(Arabic, contraction of al-Khadir, the Green One), a legendary Islamic figure endowed with immortal life who became a popular saint, especially among sailors and Sufis (Muslim mystics). The cycle of myths and stories surrounding al-Khidr originated in a vague narrative in the Qur'an (18:6082) that describes the long and arduous journey of Musa (Moses) and his servant to the meeting of the two seas. In the course of their travels, they lose a fish they had taken with them; a man of God appears, offering to help them in their search for the fish but performs seemingly senseless deeds along the wayhe sinks a boat, kills a young man, then restores a wall in a city hostile to them. Musa questions what the man has done and receives a satisfactory explanation for everything; but by questioning, Musa forfeits the man's patronage. Arab commentators elaborated and embellished the Qur' anic story and named the man of God Khidr, claiming that he turned green as he dived into the spring of life, though variant interpretations identify Khidr with the vegetable world. On a popular level, Khidr has been given a name (most frequently Balya ibn Malkan), many different genealogies, and dates that have made him a contemporary of Abraham or Alexander. Khidr's immortality and ability to assume a variety of local characteristics probably account for his widespread popularity among Arabs, Turks, Iranians, and other Muslims, despite orthodox Islamic opposition. In Syria, Khidr became partially identified with St. George, who, according to a local tradition, is of Syrian birth; in India and Pakistan, Khidr is identified with a water deity (Khwadja Khidr) specializing in the protection of mariners and river travelers; and, among the Sufis, he is associated with their founders, who were often endowed with holiness and sainthood.