Quran page 303

Indeed We had granted him power in the land and given him the means to all things.

So he directed a means.

When he reached the place where the sun sets, he found it setting over a warm sea, and by it he found a people. We said, ‘O Dhul Qarnayn! You will either punish them, or treat them with kindness.’

He said, ‘As for him who is a wrongdoer, we will punish him. Then he shall be returned to his Lord and He will punish him with a dire punishment.

But as for him who has faith and acts righteously, he shall have the best reward, and we will assign him easy tasks under our command.’

Thereafter he directed another means.

When he reached the place where the sun rises, he found it rising on a people for whom We had not provided any shield against it.

So it was, and We were fully aware of whatever [means] he possessed.

Thereafter he directed another means.

When he reached [the place] between the two barriers, he found between them a people who could hardly understand a word [of his language].

They said, ‘O Dhul Qarnayn! Indeed Gog and Magog are causing disaster in this land. Shall we pay you a tribute on condition that you build a barrier between them and us?’

He said, ‘What my Lord has furnished me is better. Yet help me with some strength, and I will make a bulwark between you and them.

Bring me pieces of iron!’ When he had levelled up between the flanks, he said, ‘Blow!’ When he had turned it into fire, he said, ‘Bring me molten copper to pour over it.’

So they could neither scale it, nor could they make a hole in it.