They ask thee concerning Zul-qarnain. Say, "I will rehearse to you something of his story." 83 Verily We! We established him in the earth, and vouchsafed unto him of everything a way. 84 Then he followed a way. 85 Until, when he reached the setting place of the sun, he found it setting in a spring of black muddy (or hot) water. And he found near it a people. We (Allah) said (by inspiration): "O Dhul-Qarnain! Either you punish them, or treat them with kindness." 86 He replied, "I shall punish the unjust ones among them and then they will return to their Lord, who will punish them more sternly". 87 but whoever believes and does good works shall have a good reward and We shall facilitate his matter by Our command." 88 And once again he chose the right means [to achieve a right end]. 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 So (it was)! And We knew all about him (Dhul-Qarnain). 91 Thereafter he followed a way. 92 Until, when he came between two mountains, he found before them a nation that did not appear to understand any speech. 93 They said: 'O Dhu'l-Qarnain, Gog and Magog are oppressing the land. May we pay you some tribute so that you could build a rampart between us and them?" 94 He replied, "The power that my Lord has granted me is better (than your tax). Help me with your man-power and I shall construct a barrier between you and Gog and Magog. 95 Give me pieces of iron - till, when he had levelled up (the gap) between the cliffs, he said: Blow! - till, when he had made it a fire, he said: Bring me molten copper to pour thereon. 96 (Thus he constructed the barrier which) neither Gog nor Magog were able to climb nor were they able to dig a tunnel through the iron and brass barrier. 97 Dhu al-Qarnayn said: "This is a mercy from my Lord: but when the time of my Lord's promise shall come, He will level the rampart with the ground. My Lord's promise always comes true." 98 ۞ And on that day We shall release them in groups surging like waves one after another, and the Trumpet will be blown – so We shall gather them all together. (* Gog and Magog will come out during the time of Eisa (Jesus – when he comes back to earth) and cause great destruction in the land.) 99 And We shall set hell on that Day unto the infidels with a setting. 100 who have turned a blind eye to My reminder and a deaf ear to My warning. 101