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 And he followed a road 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, "I shall punish the unjust ones among them and then they will return to their Lord, who will punish them more sternly". 87 As for he who believes and does good works he shall receive a fine reward in recompense and we shall speak to him with a mild command' 88 Then he followed a way 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 (He left them) as they were: We completely understood what was before him. 91 Then he followed the road, 92 until, when he reached between the two barriers, he found this side of them a people scarcely able to understand speech. 93 They said: 'O Dhu'l-Qarnain, Gog and Magog are oppressing the land. May we pay you some tribute so that you could build a rampart between us and them?" 94 He said, "That in which my Lord has established me is better [than what you offer], but assist me with strength; I will make between you and them a dam. 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 (Thus he constructed the barrier which) neither Gog nor Magog were able to climb nor were they able to dig a tunnel through the iron and brass barrier. 97 Said [the King]: "This is a mercy from my Sustainer! Yet when the time appointed by my Sustainer shall come, He will make this [rampart] level with the ground: and my Sustainer's promise always comes true!" 98 ۞ On that day We shall leave them to surge like waves on one another: the trumpet will be blown, and We shall collect them all together. 99 And We will present Hell that Day to the Disbelievers, on display - 100 whose eyes were covered against My remembrance, and they were not able to hear. 101