mankind who sought refuge with men from among the jinn, but they only increased them in burden.”

Likewise, those who sometimes see al-Khidr have actually seen a jinn. More than one person whom I know has seen him, and he said, “I am al-Khidr.” This was a jinn deceiving the Muslims who saw him. In fact, al-Khidr who accompanied Moses, peace be upon him, has died. Had he been alive during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, he would have been obliged to come to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, believe in him and fight alongside him. Allah required everyone who lived to see Muhammad—even a prophet—to believe in him and fight alongside him, as Allah Most High says:

“And when Allah took the covenant of the prophets: ‘Whatever I give you of Scripture and wisdom, should a messenger then come to you confirming what you have, you must believe in him and support him.’ He said, ‘Do you acknowledge this and accept My binding covenant?’ They said, ‘We acknowledge it.’ He said, ‘Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.’”

Ibn ‘Abbās, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Allah never sent a prophet without taking his covenant that, if Muhammad were sent during his lifetime, he would certainly believe in him and support him. He also commanded him to take the covenant of his people that, if Muhammad were sent during their lifetimes, they would certainly believe in him and support him.”

None of the Companions mentioned having seen al-Khidr or that he came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. The Companions were too knowledgeable and too elevated in rank for Satan to deceive them. He did, however, deceive many who came after them: he would appear to one of them in the form of the Prophet and say, “I am al-Khidr,” when he was only a devil.

Similarly, many people see one of their dead come forth, visit them, speak to them about various matters and attend to their needs. They suppose it is the deceased person himself, but it is only a devil who has assumed his form. Many people seek deliverance from a created being, whether a Christian such as George or someone who is not