Was the son of Sem, the son of Noé, and grandfather of Khiẓr. Some authorities give his father's name as Yásín and some give Nusayy and different other names. Others again derive his genealogy thus,—that he was the son of Phineas, the son of Eleazar (I'ízár), the son of Aaron the brother of Moses. There is also a disagreement regarding his prophetical office. The Ḳuṭbs, Abdáls, and Khiẓr, stand to him in the light of disciples and revere him. He is tall of stature, with a large head; is reserved in speech and absorbed in thought. He has a solemn and awe-inspiring exterior, and the mysteries of all things are revealed to him. It is said that he was raised up for the defence of the faith of Moses and was sent as an inspired guide to the people of Baạlbak; when he found that his admonitions were of no avail, he asked for his deliverence from the Almighty,* and his prayer was heard. One day he went up into a hill with Eliseus, the son of Akhtúb, and a fiery chariot with its equipage and harness appeared, and leaving Eliseus as his successor he mounted the chariot and vanished from sight.

Extraordinary accounts are told of these two personages Khiẓr and Elias. The first mentioned roams chiefly over dry land and brings those who have strayed into the right path; the latter keeps by the coasts. Some reverse these conditions. Each has ten holy persons as their assistants, and both are said to have lived for many years and associate together. Some of the learned, however, do not believe in their existence. Elias is prayed to for the prevention of calamities, and Khiẓr for their remission after they have befallen.