and [the Succor] (1), al-Khidr, and the like [despite their ignorance and misguidance], and who (2) affirm things from which they derive neither benefit, gracious aid, nor advantage in religion or worldly life, are less misguided than the Rāfida.

For al-Khidr truly existed, Allah mentioned him in the Quran, and his story contains lessons and benefits. One of these people may see a righteous man whom he supposes to be al-Khidr and benefit from him—from seeing him and hearing his admonition (3)—even though he is mistaken in believing him to be al-Khidr.

[One of them may also see a jinni and suppose him to be al-Khidr. The jinni will address him only in terms he believes the man will accept from him, so as to bind him to that belief. Thus, the man is ensnared through his own self, not through the being addressing him.

Some of them say, “Every age has its own Khidr,” while others say, “Every saint has his own Khidr.” Unbelievers such as the Jews also have places where they claim to see al-Khidr. Al-Khidr may purportedly be seen in various forms, including a terrifying form, and other such things. That is because the being who claims to be al-Khidr is a jinni; indeed, he is a devil who appears to anyone whom he believes he can mislead. There are many accounts of this, but there is insufficient space here to relate them] (4).

In any event, the various Shia groups are more misguided than these people. The one among them who awaits him (5) has no reliably established report from him, nor do they believe any person they see to be the Awaited One. When he entered the underground chamber, he was, according to them, a young child who had not yet reached the age of discernment,