Dhul-Qarnayn
Description
Dhu'l-Qarnayn is a leader who appears in the Qur'an, Surah al-Kahf (18), Ayahs 83–101, as one who travels to the east and west and sets up a barrier between a certain people and Gog and Magog. Elsewhere, the Qur'an tells how the end of the world will be signaled by the release of Gog and Magog from behind the barrier. Other apocalyptic writings predict that their destruction by God in a single night will usher in the Day of Resurrection. Most historians agree that the Quranic story originates from legends of Alexander the Great current in the Middle East, with the Quranic presentation of Dhu al-Qarnayn as a prophet-king reminiscent of the Syriac Alexander Legend.
Life & work in brief
Summarised by section — one row per topic, for fast reading.
| Topic | Summary |
|---|---|
| Quran 18:83–101 | The verses of the chapter reproduced below show Dhu al-Qarnayn traveling first to the Western limit of travel where he sees the sun set in a muddy spring, then to the furthest East where he sees it rise from the ocean, and finally northward to a place in the mountains where he finds a people oppressed by Gog and Magog: |
| Quranic exegesis | The story of Dhu al-Qarnayn is related in chapter 18 of the Qur'an, al-Kahf, revealed to Muhammad when his tribe, Al-Quraysh, sent two men to discover whether the Jews, with their superior knowledge of the scriptures, could advise them on whether Muhammad was truly a prophet of God. |
| People identified as Dhu al-Qarnayn | According to most historians, the story of Dhu al-Qarnayn has its origins in legends of Alexander the Great current in the Middle East, namely the Syriac Alexander Legend. |
| In later literature | Dhu al-Qarnayn, the traveller, proved a popular subject for later writers. |
Prophecies
Key prophetic utterances and visions attributed to Dhul-Qarnayn, with sources.
| Prophecy / vision | Source |
|---|---|
| He reaches the setting of the sun in a muddy spring, and its rising | Quran 18:86,90 |
| Gog and Magog spread corruption; a rampart of iron and brass built against them | Quran 18:94-98 |