They ask thee concerning Zul-qarnain. Say, "I will rehearse to you something of his story." 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 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, "We shall certainly punish him who does wrong; then he shall be brought back to his Lord who will punish him with a grievous punishment, 87 but whoever believes and does good works shall have a good reward and We shall facilitate his matter by Our command." 88 Thereafter he followed a way. 89 to the East where he found the sun rising upon a people whom We had exposed to its rays. 90 It was so, for We were fully informed about him. 91 Then he set out on another expedition 92 when he reached between the two barriers he found on one side of them a nation who could barely understand speech. 93 They said: O Zulqarnain! surely Gog and Magog make mischief in the land. Shall we then pay you a tribute on condition that you should raise a barrier between us and them 94 He said: better is that wherein my Lord hath established me; so help me with might, and I shall place between you and them a rampart. 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 So they were unable either to scale it or pierce it. 97 He said: This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the promise of my Lord comes to pass He will make it level with the ground, and the promise of my Lord is ever true. 98 ۞ We shall leave them on that day surging like waves pressing one against the other, and the trumpet blast will be sounded, when We shall gather them all together. 99 We will fully expose the view of hell on that Day to the disbelievers, 100 whose eyes had become blind against My admonition and who were utterly disinclined to hear it. 101