They ask thee concerning Zul-qarnain. Say, "I will rehearse to you something of his story." 83 We established him in the land, and gave him the means to achieve all things. 84 He therefore pursued a purpose. 85 Till he reached the point of the setting sun, and saw it set behind a muddy lake, and near it found a people. We said: "O Dhu'l-Qarnain, you may either punish them or treat them with kindness." 86 He said: "I shall punish whosoever is wicked. He will then be sent back to his Lord who will inflict on him a terrible punishment. 87 “And regarding one who believed and did good deeds – so his reward is goodness; and we shall soon give him an easy command.” 88 And once again he chose the right means [to achieve a right end]. 89 [And then he marched eastwards] till, when he came to the rising of the sun he found that it was rising on a people for whom We had provided no coverings against it: 90 thus [We had made them, and thus he left them; and We did encompass with Our knowledge all that he had in mind 91 Then he followed a way 92 until when he reached a place between the two mountains, he found beside the mountains a people who scarcely understood anything. 93 They said: O Dhu'l-Qarneyn! Lo! Gog and Magog are spoiling the land. So may we pay thee tribute on condition that thou set a barrier between us and them? 94 He answered: "Whatever my Lord has granted me is good enough. But help me with your labour and I will erect a rampart between you and them. 95 Bring me blocks of iron to fill up the passage between the two mountains." He told them to ply their bellows until the iron became hot as fire. Then he told them to pour on it molten brass." 96 And thus [the rampart was built, and] their enemies were unable to scale it, and neither were they able to pierce it. 97 Said [the King]: "This is a mercy from my Sustainer! Yet when the time appointed by my Sustainer shall come, He will make this [rampart] level with the ground: and my Sustainer's promise always comes true!" 98 ۞ On that day, We will let them surge on one another, and the Horn shall be blown, and We will gather them all together. 99 On that Day We shall lay Hell bare before those who deny the truth, 100 whose eyes were covered against My remembrance, and they were not able to hear. 101