And they ask you regarding Zul-Qarnain; say, “I shall recite his story to you.” 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 He set out (westwards) on an expedition, 85 Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it [as if] setting in a spring of dark mud, and he found near it a people. Allah said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, either you punish [them] or else adopt among them [a way of] goodness." 86 He said, "We shall certainly punish him who does wrong; then he shall be brought back to his Lord who will punish him with a grievous punishment, 87 But as for him who believes and acts righteously, his will be a goodly reward and we shall enjoin upon him only mild commands." 88 And once again he chose the right means [to achieve a right end]. 89 Till, when he reached the rising-place of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We had appointed no shelter therefrom. 90 So it is; and Our knowledge encompasses all that he possessed. 91 Then he followed a way 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 al-Qarnayn, Gog and Magog are spreading corruption in this land. So shall we pay you taxes on the understanding that you will set up a barrier 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 "Bring me blocks of iron." At length, when he had filled up the space between the two steep mountain-sides, He said, "Blow (with your bellows)" Then, when he had made it (red) as fire, he said: "Bring me, that I may pour over it, molten lead." 96 Thus (Gog and Magog) could neither climb over it nor dig a hole through (the rampart). 97 He said, 'This is a mercy from my Lord. But when the promise of my Lord comes to pass, He will make it into powder; and my Lord's promise is ever 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 present hell to the disbelievers, plain to view, 100 Whose eyes were veiled against My warning, and they could not hear. 101