Basic
History & Lessons
Surah: Al-Kahf (83)
Dhul Qarnayn — Justice with Three Nations
Quranic context:
The polytheists asked the Prophet (PBUH) about Dhul Qarnayn. The Quranic answer came: Allah established him in the land and gave him the means to all things. He traveled west and found a people and dealt justly with them, then east likewise.
Context:
He then found a people between two mountains complaining about Yajuj and Majuj, so he built a barrier of iron blocks and molten copper. He said: "This is a mercy from my Lord," and refused payment from the people.
Lesson:
A just ruler deals with each people according to their situation: the oppressor is punished, the believer is honored, the weak is protected. Attributing success to Allah rather than oneself is the mark of a believing ruler.
The polytheists asked the Prophet (PBUH) about Dhul Qarnayn. The Quranic answer came: Allah established him in the land and gave him the means to all things. He traveled west and found a people and dealt justly with them, then east likewise.
Context:
He then found a people between two mountains complaining about Yajuj and Majuj, so he built a barrier of iron blocks and molten copper. He said: "This is a mercy from my Lord," and refused payment from the people.
Lesson:
A just ruler deals with each people according to their situation: the oppressor is punished, the believer is honored, the weak is protected. Attributing success to Allah rather than oneself is the mark of a believing ruler.
Source: Ibn Kathir Tafsir (5/173); Al-Tabari Tafsir (18/60)
Test Yourself
What did Dhul Qarnayn say when he completed the barrier and refused payment?
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