Dhul-Qarnayn (Alexander the Great)

They ask you about Dhul-Qarnayn. Say, “I will relate his story to you.”

We established him in the land and gave him means to accomplish all things.

So, he followed a path

Until he reached the setting place of the sun, where he found it sinking into a dark spring, and nearby he found a people. We said, “O Dhul-Qarnayn, you may punish them or treat them kindly.”

He said, “Whoever does wrong, we will punish him, then he will return to his Lord for an even greater punishment.”

“But whoever believes and does good will have the best reward, and we will speak to him with kindness.”

Then he followed another path

Until he reached the rising place of the sun, where he found it shining upon a people with no shelter from it.

Thus, it was, and We fully encompassed his knowledge.

Then he followed another path

Until he reached a valley between two mountains, where he found a people who could barely understand speech.

They said, “O Dhul-Qarnayn, Gog and Magog are spreading corruption in the land. Can we pay you to build a barrier between them and us?”

He said, “What my Lord has given me is better, but help me with labour, and I will build a strong barrier.”

“Bring me blocks of iron.” When he had filled the gap, he said, “Blow upon it.” When it became red-hot, he said, “Now pour molten copper over it.”

So, they could neither scale it nor tunnel through it.

And it is forbidden for a people We destroyed to return.

Until Gog and Magog are unleashed, surging forth from every direction.

He said, “This is a mercy from my Lord. But when my Lord’s promise comes, He will level it to dust. My Lord’s promise is always true.”

On that Day, We will let them surge against one another, then the Trumpet will be blown, and We will gather them all together.

On that Day, We will present Hell to the disbelievers

Those whose eyes were blind to My signs and who could not hear.

Do the disbelievers think they can take My servants as protectors instead of Me? We have prepared Hell as a dwelling for them.