They ask thee concerning Zul-qarnain. Say, "I will rehearse to you something of his story." 83 Behold, We established him securely on earth, and endowed him with [the knowledge of] the right means to achieve anything [that he might set out to achieve]; 84 Then he followed a way. 85 until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it setting in a spring of murky water and near it he found some people. We said, "Dhu'l-Qarnayn! You can either punish them or else you can treat them with gentleness." 86 He submitted, “Regarding one who has done injustice, we shall soon punish him – he will then be brought back to his Lord, Who will punish him severely.” 87 "But whoever believes, and works righteousness,- he shall have a goodly reward, and easy will be his task as We order it by our Command." 88 Thereafter he followed a way. 89 until, when he reached the rising of the sun, he found it rising upon a people for whom We had not appointed any veil to shade them from it. 90 It was so, for We were fully informed about him. 91 Then he followed still another path, 92 Till, when he came between the two mountains, he found upon their hither side a folk that scarce could understand a saying. 93 They said, "O Dhu'l-Qarnayn! Gog and Magog are causing corruption in the land, so may we pay you tribute on condition that you set a barrier between us and them?" 94 He answered: "That wherein my Sustainer has so securely established me is better [than anything that you could give me]; hence, do but help me with [your labour's] strength, [and] I shall erect a rampart between you and them! 95 "Give me pieces (blocks) of iron," then, when he had filled up the gap between the two mountain-cliffs, he said: "Blow," till when he had made it (red as) fire, he said: "Bring me molten copper to pour over it." 96 So Gog and Magog were unable to pass over it, nor were they able [to effect] in it any penetration. 97 "This is the benevolence of my Lord," he said; "but when the promise of my Lord comes to pass, He will reduce it to a mound of dust; and the promise of my Lord is true." 98 ۞ On that Day, We shall let them surge against each other like waves and then the Trumpet will be blown and We shall gather them all together. 99 And We shall set hell on that Day unto the infidels with a setting. 100 Unto those whose eyes had been under a covering from My remembrance, nor had they been able to hear. 101