They ask you about Dhu'l-Qarnain. 83 Say: "I will cite before you his commemoration." We gave him authority in the land and means of accomplishing every end. 84 and so he chose the right means [in whatever he did]. 85 To the extent that when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring, and found a nation there; We said, “O Zul-Qarnain – either punish them or choose kindness for them.” 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 does righteous deeds - he will have the ultimate good [of the life to come] as his reward; and [as for us,] we shall make binding on him [only] that which is easy to fulfill." 88 He then followed (another) road 89 to the East where he found the sun rising upon a people whom We had exposed to its rays. 90 Thus was the state of those people, and We encompassed in knowledge all concerning Dhu al- Qarnayn. 91 Then he followed a way 92 after this to the middle of two mountains where he found a people who could hardly understand a single word. 93 They said, “O Zul-Qarnain – indeed Yajuj and Majuj* are spreading chaos in the land – so shall we assign for you a consideration upon the condition that you set up a wall between us and them?” (* Gog and Magog.) 94 He said, “That which my Lord has given me control over is better, therefore help me with strength – I shall set up a barrier between you and them.” 95 bring me blocks of iron." Then, when he had filled the gap between the mountain sides [he said], "Now blow on the fire with your bellows." When the iron blocks were red with heat, he said, "Bring me molten brass to pour on them." 96 And thus [the rampart was built, and] their enemies were unable to scale it, and neither were they able to pierce it. 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" We shall [call forth all mankind and] leave them to surge like waves [that dash] against one another; and the trumpet [of judgment] will be blown, and We shall gather them all together. 99 And on that Day We shall place hell, for all to see, before those who denied the truth 100 They whose eyes were under a cover from My reminder and they could not even hear. 101