University of Baghdad

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research

College of Education for Women

Signs of Quran in Surat Alkahaf ( Dhul Qarnain story )

By

Shahad Qahtan Abdulameer

In the Holy Quran , Allah martyred by many signs (Ayat) specially in Surat Alkahaf ,such as
The story of a great king, a worshipper, a servant of Allah, was probably not a prophet of
Allah, however definitely he was a Muslim, a Unitarian, only believes in one God.
Despite his wealth and power and strength, Allah gave him a kingdom who worshipped
Allah sincerely, and Allah had given him phenomenal strength, physical strength, able to
lift things, carry things and move things also the army that Allah given him was a
formidable army, and one of the things that Dhul Qarnain loved to do or had a vision of
was, he wanted to bring a lot of the world under the rule of Allah, yes under his rule and
authority but the point was that he would spread monotheism at the same time as well.
{They ask you about Dhul Qarnain, verily we (Allah) established him in the earth and
we gave him from everything single matter a way and a path, meaning we eased his
affair in every matter}
First of all, he had no financial worry, he was a king. Secondly he had no power issue,
because Allah gave him a huge army that was loyal , also you know many kings suffer
from bad image, but no he had a good image and people knew about Dhul Qarnain and
they knew that he was a righteous king and that he was pious man.
He worshipped Allah fearing Him, so he had good name, therefore his subjects did not fear
him, they revered him, and they praised him and many of them loved him as well. His
enemies feared him and so even before he attacked them. The enemies were almost
destroyed by the fear that they had in their hearts.
So he took a path, meaning he wanted to go somewhere, so he took a path of travel until
he had come to a place where the sun sets (in the west). And when he went west, he
found the sun going down in Murky waters. Some scholars say it’s a black sea, others said
it’s Aegean sea, and upon that area, he found a people.
It was revealed to him:
{O Dhul Qarnain, do you want to punish them or do you want to leave them in
goodness?}
So what Dhul Qarnain chose to do?
{As for the one who wronged himself, then we’ll punish that person, then he’ll be taken
back to his Lord, after he dies, then Allah will punish him a punishment that is tremendous
or unheard of. {As for the one who believes and does righteous deeds, then I’ll give
him good rewards and that which will be easy for him.}
Then he decided to move on and he took another path until he reached where the sun
comes up. Some said it’s Africa, some said it’s Asia… This would have been somewhere in
the east. Allah knows.
{And he found the sun was coming up over a people we have not put from them
meaning from the sun any covering}
So they were basically savages who didn’t have even proper dwellings who didn’t even
cover themselves properly, who had basically no barrier against the sun.
Therefore he took another path in order to travel. Where did he go? to Turkey or around
that area until he reached that area which is Turkmenistan, he reached two mountains.
According to some of the narrations shows that these mountains are in south Turkey.
And he found just beyond the mountains, were a people who said:
{O the possessor of two horns, verily Ya’jooj and Ma’ajooj have created lot of
mischiefs on the earth. So can we give you some money so that you can put a
barrier between us and them?}
Who are Ya’jooj and Ma’ajooj? Ibn Abbas mentioned that they were Turkish Mongol in
origin, other scholars mention that their origins are from Mongolian, Turkish, Chinese
mixed with Asian feature… and unfortunately they created a lot of mischief.
{That in which my Lord has enabled me is better [than what you offer], but assist me
with strength; I will make between you and them a barrier.}
He said: I can see that these people are spreading mischief… come and support me in this
cause that you want me to finish. So help me with your strength so that I can put between
you and them a barrier.
So they were unique people, human beings but they are people who have significant
mischief.
{Give me blocks of iron}
And they were able to bring large pieces of iron to help Dhul Qarnain. Dhul Qarnain
created big Dam; he started to melt the iron until he had then closed off the gap between
the two mountains. He said:
{Now breathe on it}
He said:
{This is a mercy from Allah}
So Dhul Qarnain is teaching us that even a great king, when he achieved something great
they attribute it to Allah.
He declared,
“This is a mercy from my Lord. But when the promise of my Lord comes to pass, He will
level it to the ground. {And my Lord’s promise is ever true.”Remember that this is not
going to stay all the time but if the promise of Allah comes, Allah will destroy this
barrier}. As a conclusion, Allah has set the barrier by the hands of this virtuous king as a
sign that his Majesty will proceed the judgmental day on this world at the time The
Almighty set his decision .