How did Khidr kill the child and how old was the child?

Dear Brother / Sister,

The ‘Quran states that Khidr killed the child but does not specify how he did it. (see al-Kahf, 18:74)

However, there are some interpretations that are not based on verses of the Quran and hadiths such as “He killed the child by hitting his head against the wall or by cutting his throat”. (Zamakhshari, Tafsir of al-Kahf, 18:74)

In some interpretations, it is said that “the ghulam that was killed” was a child who had not reached the age of puberty. (see Zamakhshari, ibid)

According to Fakhruddin Razi, the word “ghulam” means both a child and a youth. However, it is not mentioned in the Quran. Similarly, since the way of killing is not mentioned in the ‘Quran either, some of the related interpretations have no value. (see Razi, the interpretation of the verse in question)

Qurtubi states that the child was a boy who had not reached the age of puberty. (see the interpretation of the verse in question)

Although Maraghi tends to believe that “ghulam” was a child, he states that the fact that there is no explanation in the Quran as to how he was killed makes it inappropriate for us to comment on it because if it was of any use, it would have been mentioned in the Quran.” (see Meraghi, the interpretation of the verse in question)

Ibn Ashur is of the opinion that the person that was killed was a child who had not reached the age of puberty. (see Ibn Ashur, the interpretation of the verse in question)

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