One king in the Quran has made readers ask questions for centuries. His name is Dhul-Qarnayn. Part 2 of this series tells who he was, where he travelled, and why his story was kept.
A Just Ruler
His story is in Surah Al-Kahf, verses 83 to 98. He is shown as a righteous ruler. God granted him power on earth. God also gave him the means to achieve his aims.
The name Dhul-Qarnayn is often translated as the one with two horns. From the earliest times, readers have asked who this travelling king really was.
His Three Journeys
First, he journeyed towards the west. He went to the place where the sun appeared to set. Then he journeyed towards the east. On these journeys, he dealt justly with the people he met.
On a third journey, he reached a land between two mountains. The local people asked for his help. Yajuj and Majuj, known in English as Gog and Magog, were raiding them and causing great harm.
The Barrier He Built
He did not simply fight them. He organised the building of a strong barrier. Workers used blocks of iron. They heated the iron and sealed it with molten copper.
Yajuj and Majuj could neither climb the wall nor dig through it. But Dhul-Qarnayn made one thing clear. This barrier would stand only until a time appointed by God.
Who Was He in Real Life?
Scholars have long debated his identity. Some early and later writers suggested Alexander the Great. They pointed to his vast conquests east and west.
Others proposed Cyrus the Great, the Persian king. He was known for his justice. He also allowed exiled peoples to return home. Other candidates and symbolic readings have also been discussed.
There is no single agreed answer. Historians and commentators still weigh the evidence from scripture, history and archaeology.
The Lesson of His Story
Whatever view a reader takes, the central lesson is humility. Even a powerful king attributes his success to the mercy of his Lord. Earthly power is shown as temporary. It does not last forever.
This is Daily Info Dose. Watch Part 2, and follow the series to see how the great wall was built.
Watch the video: Who Was Dhul-Qarnayn? The King Who Met Yajuj Majuj (Gog and Magog) | Part 2 #Shorts on YouTube. This article is the full written version of the video, in simple English. See all articles on the Blogs page and more videos on the History Series page.