And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say: "I shall recite to you something of his story." 83 Say: "I will cite before you his commemoration." We gave him authority in the land and means of accomplishing every end. 84 He journeyed on a way 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, "As for one who wrongs, we will punish him. Then he will be returned to his Lord, and He will punish him with a terrible punishment. 87 But as for one who believes and does righteousness, he will have a reward of Paradise, and we will speak to him from our command with ease." 88 Then he followed a way 89 until he reached the limit where the sun rises and he found it rising on a people whom We had provided no shelter from it. 90 So; and We encompassed in knowledge what was with him. 91 He then followed (another) road 92 [And he marched on] till, when he reached [a place] between the two mountain-barriers, he found beneath them a people who could scarcely understand a word [of his language]. 93 They said, "Dhu 'l-Qarnayn, Gog and Magog are ravaging this land. Would you establish a barrier between us and them if we pay you a certain tax?" 94 He said, "What My Lord has given me is better [than any tribute]. Help me with a force of labourers and I will erect a barrier 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 So they were unable either to scale it or pierce it. 97 He said: This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the promise of my Lord comes to pass He will make it level with the ground, and the promise of my Lord is ever true. 98 ۞ And We shall leave them on that day surging one against other and the trumpet shall be blown, and then We shall assemble them together. 99 We will fully expose the view of hell on that Day to the disbelievers, 100 The ones whose eyes were covered from My remembrance, and who could not bear to hear Truth. 101