(Muhammad), they will ask you about Dhu 'l-Qarnayn. Say, "I shall tell you something about him". 83 We had given him great power in the land and all kinds of resources. 84 He set out (westwards) on an expedition, 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: 'The evildoer we shall punish. Then he shall return to his Lord and He will punish him with a stern punishment. 87 But he who believes and does the right will have an excellent reward, and we shall make things easy for him." 88 Then he set out on another expedition 89 [And then he marched eastwards] till, when he came to the rising of the sun he found that it was rising on a people for whom We had provided no coverings against it: 90 Even so! and We had a full knowledge of what he had. 91 Then he set out on another expedition 92 when he reached between the two barriers he found on one side of them a nation who could barely understand speech. 93 They said: "O Dhul-Qarnain! Verily! Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) are doing great mischief in the land. Shall we then pay you a tribute in order that you might erect a barrier between us and them?" 94 He said: That in which my Lord has established me is better, therefore you only help me with workers, I will make a fortified barrier between you and them; 95 Bring me ingots of iron!" Then, after he had [piled up the iron and] filled the gap between the two mountain-sides, he said: "[Light a fire and] ply your bellows!" At length, when he had made it [glow like] fire, he commanded: "Bring me molten copper which I may pour upon it." 96 So they were unable either to scale it or pierce it. 97 and he said, "This is a mercy from my Lord. But when the promise of my Lord comes to pass, He will level it to dust. My Lord's promise is ever true!" 98 ۞ And on that Day We shall let some of them surge like waves against others, and the Trumpet shall be blown. Then We shall gather them all together. 99 On that day we shall present hell to the disbelievers, plain to view, 100 whose eyes had become blind against My admonition and who were utterly disinclined to hear it. 101