Stories from alquran, Dhu al-Qarnayn
The stories of Holy Quran that revolve around successful experiences of construction, constitution, and development represent a compass to guide Muslims and humanity to real progress, and the story of Dhu Al-Qarnayn is one of these amazing stories. All the information that we have about Dhu Al-Qarnayn is from Quran, only, Allah says in His Holy Quran, Surah Al-Kahaf, ”And they ask you about Dhul Al-Qarnain. 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 monotheist and believer, he was granted many talents, abilities, and military powers to rule the world, expand a strong kingdom, and strengthen his ruling from east to west. He was also a knowledgeable man of science.
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, begging him to establish the fundamentals of justice among them. He replied with what Allah has granted him of power of authority, Surah Al-Kahf, aya 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.”. Then he followed another way, continuing his journey to rule the world and spread the message of Islam and justice. Allah Almighty made him reach the rising of the sun, where he found a people who do not have a shield against the sun. These ayays prove the extensions of his governance and authority.
Then he followed another way, where Allah tested his power, and knowledge, the people of this destination were afflicted with ”(Ya’juj) Gog and Magog (Ma’juj)”. They said, “O Dhul Al-Qarnayn, indeed (Ya’juj) Gog and Magog (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?” (Al Qur’an 18:94). He answered them with a great answer; he credited all what he possed to Allah; he 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, aya 95. He used his power and knowledge to save them from the oppression of Gog and Magog.
We learn from the story of Dhu Al-Qarnayn that the success of any nation comes from power, knowledge, and humanity. Allah Al-mighty gave Dul Al-Qarnayn everything to test him to see how he would use these capabilities for the benefit of Islam and human beings. But you do not have to be a king to be tested, you are tested everyday with all the gifts that Allah has empowered you with, so will you be up to the challenge?
