And they ask you regarding Zul-Qarnain; say, “I shall recite his story to you.” 83 We established him in the land, and gave him the means to achieve all things. 84 and so he chose the right means [in whatever he did]. 85 until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it setting in a spring of murky water and near it he found some people. We said, "Dhu'l-Qarnayn! You can either punish them or else you can treat them with gentleness." 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 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 another way, 89 until he reached the rising of the sun, he found it rising upon a nation for whom We provided no veil against it to shade them. 90 This indeed was true. We knew all that he did there. 91 Then he set out on another expedition 92 Until, when he came between two mountains, he found before them a nation that did not appear to understand any speech. 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: "(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 "This is the benevolence of my Lord," he said; "but when the promise of my Lord comes to pass, He will reduce it to a mound of dust; and the promise of my Lord is true." 98 ۞ And on that Day [i.e. the Day Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) will come out], We shall leave them to surge like waves on one another, and the Trumpet will be blown, and We shall collect them all together. 99 Then We shall bring Hell right before the infidels 100 whose eyes had been veiled against Our Quran and who were not able to hear (its recitation). 101