And they ask thee of Zul Qarnain. Say thou: I shall recite unto you of him some mention. 83 Indeed We gave him authority in the land and bestowed him the means of everything. 84 So he followed a course. 85 until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring, and nearby he found a nation. 'ThulKarnain' We said, 'you must either punish them or show them kindness' 86 He said: "Whoever doth wrong, him shall we punish; then shall he be sent back to his Lord; and He will punish him with a punishment unheard-of (before). 87 As for those who believe and do good, they will receive virtuous rewards and We will tell them to do only what they can. 88 And once again he chose the right means [to achieve a right end]. 89 Until, when he came to the rising of the sun, he found it rising on a people for whom We had provided no covering protection against the sun. 90 So it is; and Our knowledge encompasses all that he possessed. 91 Then he followed (another) way, 92 Until when he reached (a place) between the two mountains, he found on that side of them a people who could hardly understand a word. 93 They said, 'O Dhool Karnain, behold, Gog and Magog are doing corruption in the earth; so shall we assign to thee a tribute, against thy setting up a barrier between us and between them?' 94 He said: "(The power) in which my Lord has established me is better (than tribute): Help me therefore with strength (and labour): I will erect a strong 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 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 dust; and the promise of my Lord is true." 98 ۞ Upon that day We shall leave them surging on one another, and the Trumpet shall be blown, and We shall gather them together, 99 That will be the Day We shall place Hell before the unbelievers 100 whose eyes were covered against My remembrance, and they were not able to hear. 101