The Problem of Khizr's Superiority over Moses in the Traditionof Mystical Interpretation, Considering the Interpretationof the Verses 62 to 80 of Surah Kahf

Some Sufis have considered the Qur'anic story of Musa and Khizr, because of the superiority of Khizr over Moses in the appearance of the story, as a proof of the superiority of guardianship, vilayat, over prophethood, nubuvvat. In contrast, some others have spoken about the superiority of Moses' status over Khizr. Khizr's superiority over Moses creates theological problems, and to solve this problem in the words of the commentators and following them the Sufis, some cases have been proposed, some weak and some strong. Some of the cases may be counted as: Moses who was assigned to meet Khizr was not Moses, the prophet; Khizr was an angel of God and the prophet Moses was assigned to talk to an angel; Khizr's superiority over Moses was relative, not absolute; Khizr himself was a divine prophet and Moses' obedience to him is the obedience of one prophet to another prophet. The last answer is accepted by most commentators. Khidzr himself was a prophet and Moses' use of Khizr is similar to his use of Shoaib's companion. From the first interpretations of Sunnis and Shiites to our time, this opinion is mentioned by great commentators such as Tabari, Samarqandi, Beidawi, Andalusian Abu hayyn, and Sufis such as Bukhari, Qushairi, Hijwiri, Ghazali, Sana'i, Ain al-Qudat and Alaa al-Dawlah Semnani. It seems that among these sayings that help us in solving the issue of Khidr's superiority over Moses, this saying has more narration, because: firstly, it is confirmed by the narrations of the parties; And secondly, it does not contradict Islamic prophetology, and thirdly, it is in harmony with other verses of the Holy Quran.