KHIDR (pronounced Khisr by the Persians and Turks, and with different vocalization pronounced also as Khadir and as Khudr), a Mohammedan saint who according to the popular belief still lives as an omnipresent being. He reveals himself to those worthy of his companionship and advises and aids them. He watches over the welfare of all and especially of sailors who regard him as their particular patron saint. Sacrifices are offered to him whenever boats are launched. Khidr is declared to have inspired many Mohammedan prophets and authors and to have revealed their doctrine to them. In Mohammedan literature and poetry he is often mentioned as the only one who gained im mortal life by drinking from the fountain of life. The role of the Khidr figure conforms closely to the role played by the prophet Elijah in Judaism, especially in his being immortal, omnipresent, and a helping adviser and guide. He is also like Elijah the con soler of those bereaved. Several stories of Elijah which were current in the Jewish world of the early Christian era have been incorporated with slight changes into the Koran where they are identified with the Khidr figure. One chief difference, however,
is that while Elijah is a figure of the land, Khidr is "one who traverses the seas." This identification of Khidr with the sea is believed to be a survival of pagan legends and myths which Mohammedanism accumulated in its spread over Islam countries. In Syria Khidr is revered and practically worshipped as a sacred divinity. Countless sanctuaries where sacrifices are offered up to him are scattered over the country. "Khidr is near but God is far," as one of the inhabitants expressed it to an inquirer. The theologians of the official Mohammedan religion have tried to suppress these extravagant Khidr cults, but so far without success.
See S. I. Curtiss, Primitive Semitic Religions (1903).