"Khalilullah" and "Kaleemullah"

[roti seller]

Salam and peace.  Does Prophet Ibrahim have the title of “Khalilullah” (friend of Allah) in the Qur'an?   Does Prophet Musa have the title of Kaleem Ullah (the one who spoke to Allah directly) in the Qur'an?   Please provide some information with reference to the Qur'an.

[N. Truth Seeker]

Walaykom As-Salam.   The Noble Quran does refer to Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh) as a “friend” (“khalīlan”) of Allah in V.4:125.  Those Quranic Words endorse the very high level of piety and righteousness of Prophet Ibrahim. 

"Who is better in religion than he who surrenders his purpose to Allah while doing good (to men) and follows the tradition of Ibrahim, the upright?  Allah (Himself) chose Ibrahim for friend."  4:125 An-Nissa.

However, I don’t see the Quran establishing the term “khalil’Allah” as a title for Prophet Ibrahim (pbuh).  The title may have developed traditionally through people (namely speakers and presenters). 


Though certainly Prophet Musa (pbuh) did speak to Allah Almighty directly - the only Prophet who had this great privilege - I don’t know of any Verse in the Quran that mentions the term “kaleem’Allah” for Prophet Musa (pbuh) as a title. 

"And messengers We have mentioned unto you before and messengers We have not mentioned unto you; and Allah spoke directly unto Moses;"   4:164  An-Nissa.

The original Arabic of the trasnlation “and Allah spoke directly unto Moses;  “ wakallama Allah musa taklīman”  (‘And spoke Allah [to] Musa [in a] conversation.’]   There is no mention of the term “kaleem” (which in Arabic also means ‘speaker’) neither in this Verse nor in any other Verses.  For example Verses 28:29-30 of Surah Al Qasas and 7:142-143 of Surah Al Araf as follows;

"Then, when Moses had fulfilled the term, and was travelling with his housefolk, he saw in the distance a fire and said unto his housefolk: Bide ye (here). Lo! I see in the distance a fire; peradventure I shall bring you tidings thence, or a brand from the fire that ye may warm yourselves."   28:29. 

"And when he reached it, he was called from the right side of the valley in the blessed field, from the tree: O Moses! Lo! I, even I, am Allah, the Rabb of the Worlds;"  28:30.


"And when We did appoint for Moses thirty nights (of solitude), and added to them ten, and he completed the whole time appointed by his Rabb of forty nights; and Moses said unto his brother, Aaron: Take my place among the people. Do right, and follow not the way of mischief-makers."   7:142.

"And when Moses came to Our appointed tryst and his Rabb had spoken unto him, he said: My Rabb! Show me (Your Self), that I may gaze upon You.  He said: You will not see Me, but gaze upon the mountain! If it stand still in its place, then You will see Me. And when his Rabb revealed (His) Glory to the mountain He sent it crashing down. And Moses fell down senseless. And when he woke he said: Glory unto You!  I turn unto You repentant, and I am the first of (true) believers."  7:143.

These above Verses are the ones where The Almighty confirms about His direct conversation with Prophet Musa.  There is no mention of the term “kaleem’Allah” anywhere.  It is apparently a traditional appellation.  However, the concept of this appellation is in conformity with the Noble Quran.

[roti seller]

JazekAllah khairan brother for helping