(O Muhammad), they ask you about Dhu al-Qarnayn. Say: "I will give you an account of him." 83 Say: "I will cite before you his commemoration." We gave him authority in the land and means of accomplishing every end. 84 So he followed a certain road 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 him (a disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah) who does wrong, we shall punish him; and then he will be brought back unto his Lord; Who will punish him with a terrible torment (Hell). 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 Then he followed a road 89 Until when he reached the land of the rising of the sun, he found it rising on a people to whom We had given no shelter from It; 90 Thus indeed it was. We had full knowledge of him. 91 And once again he chose the right means [to achieve a right end]. 92 Until, when he reached between two mountains, he found, before (near) them (those two mountains), a people who scarcely understood a word. 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 said: That wherein my Lord hath established me is better (than your tribute). Do but help me with strength (of men), I will set between you and them a bank. 95 "Give me pieces (blocks) of iron," then, when he had filled up the gap between the two mountain-cliffs, he said: "Blow," till when he had made it (red as) fire, he said: "Bring me molten copper to pour over it." 96 Thereafter they could neither scale it, nor could they pierce it. 97 He said: this is a mercy from my Lord; then when the promise of my Lord cometh, He shall make it powder, and the promise of my Lord is ever true. 98 ۞ And on that day we shall let some of them surge against others, and the Trumpet will be blown. Then We shall gather them together in one gathering. 99 And We will bring forth hell, exposed to view, on that day before the unbelievers. 100 those whose eyes had been veiled against any remembrance of Me because they could not bear to listen [to the voice of truth]! 101