Stories from the Quran: Dhu Al-Qarnayn
The stories of the Quran that revolve around successful experiences of construction, civilisation, and development represent a compass that guides Muslims and humanity towards true progress, and the story of Dhu Al-Qarnayn is one of these remarkable stories.
All the information we have about Dhu Al-Qarnayn comes from the Quran alone. Allah says in His Holy Quran, Surah Al-Kahf,
“And they ask you about Dhul Al-Qarnayn. Say, ‘I shall recite to you something of his story. Verily, We established him in the earth, and We gave him the means of everything.’”
(وَيَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَن ذِي ٱلۡقَرۡنَيۡنِۖ قُلۡ سَأَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡكُم مِّنۡهُ ذِكۡرًا. إِنَّا مَكَّنَّا لَهُۥ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَءَاتَيۡنَٰهُ مِن كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ سَبَبٗا).
He was a monotheist and a believer. He was granted many talents, abilities, and military powers that enabled him to rule over a vast territory, establish a strong kingdom, and strengthen his rule from east to west. He was also a knowledgeable man of science.
Dhu Al-Qarnayn: A Just Ruler
He was a just ruler and leader. When he reached the setting of the sun, he found it [as if] setting in a spring of dark mud, and he found near it a people who asked him to establish the foundations of justice among them. He replied with the authority and power that Allah had granted him. Allah says in Surah Al-Kahf, Ayah 87:
“As for one who wrongs, we will punish him. Then he will be returned to his Lord, and He will punish him with a terrible punishment. But as for one who believes and does righteousness, he will have a reward of Paradise, and we will speak to him from our command with ease.”
(قَالَ أَمَّا مَنْ ظَلَمَ فَسَوْفَ نُعَذِّبُهُ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِ فَيُعَذِّبُهُ عَذَابًا نُكْرًا)
Then he followed another way, continuing his journey to rule over vast lands and spread the message of Islam and justice. Allah Almighty made him reach the rising of the sun, where he found a people who had no shelter from the sun. These ayahs demonstrate the extent of his governance and authority.
Dhu Al-Qarnayn and Gog and Magog
Then he followed another way, where Allah tested his power and knowledge. The people of this land were afflicted by [Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog)]. They said,
“O Dhul-Qarnayn, indeed Ya’juj and Ma’juj are [great] corrupters in the land. So may we assign for you an expenditure that you might make between us and them a barrier?”
(قَالُوا يَا ذَا الْقَرْنَيْنِ إِنَّ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مُفْسِدُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَهَلْ نَجْعَلُ لَكَ خَرْجًا عَلَىٰ أَن تَجْعَلَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمْ سَدًّا)
(Surah Al-Kahf, 18:94).
He answered them with a great response. He attributed everything he possessed to Allah and said, “That in which my Lord has established me is better [than what you offer], but assist me with strength; I will make between you and them a dam.” (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:95).
He used the power and knowledge that Allah had granted him to protect them from the oppression of Gog and Magog.
Lessons from the Story of Dhu Al-Qarnayn
We learn from the story of Dhu Al-Qarnayn that the success of any nation comes from power, knowledge, and humanity. Allah Almighty gave Dhu Al-Qarnayn everything to test him and see how he would use these capabilities for the benefit of Islam and humanity. But you do not have to be a king to be tested. You are tested every day with all the gifts and abilities that Allah has blessed you with. So, will you rise to the challenge?
