Why did Al-Khidr kill a boy?
Al-Khidr killed the boy for reasons rooted in divine wisdom and knowledge that was not immediately apparent to Prophet Moses, who accompanied him. The Qur'an states, And as for the lad, his parents were believers and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief.
18:80. This indicates that Al-Khidr acted in the best interest of the boy's parents, as he foresaw that the boy would ultimately lead them away from faith.
Additionally, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explained the rationale behind this action in a narration: The boy whom al-Khidr killed was stamped as a disbeliever, and had he lived, he would have burdened his parents with rebellion and disbelief.
Sahih Muslim 46:45. Another narration from Sunan al-Tirmidhi reinforces this understanding by stating: The boy whom Al-Khidr killed was destined to be a disbeliever on the day he was created.
Sunan al-Tirmidhi 47:202.
Thus, Al-Khidr's actions were guided by a higher knowledge of the boy's fate, intended to spare his parents from future harm and preserve their faith.
Sources
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18:80 · Al-Kahf
18:80 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَأَمَّا ٱلْغُلَٰمُ فَكَانَ أَبَوَاهُ مُؤْمِنَيْنِ فَخَشِينَآ أَن يُرْهِقَهُمَا طُغْيَٰنًۭا وَكُفْرًۭا
And as for the lad, his parents were believers and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief.
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Sahih Muslim 46:45
Sahih Muslim · Book 46, Hadith 45 · Narrated by Abi bin Ka'b
The Messenger of Allah said, "The boy whom al-Khidr killed was stamped as a disbeliever, and had he lived, he would have burdened his parents with rebellion and disbelief."
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Sunan al-Tirmidhi 47:202
Sunan al-Tirmidhi · Book 47, Hadith 202 · Narrated by Ubayy ibn Ka'b
The boy whom Al-Khidr killed was destined to be a disbeliever on the day he was created.
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