Gog and Magog P2 (Dhul Qarnain) – Transcript
The story about Dhul-Qarnain and Gog and Magog (Yakjud and Makjud) can be found in the Quran, Chapter 18 Surat Al-Kahfi (The Cave). Verses 83-98.
83. And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say: “I shall recite to you something of his story.”
The question is about Dhul-Qarnain. Dhul-Qarnain means two(2) horns. But, Qarn is also an age. That’s he is called Dhul-Qarnain as he lived for Two (2) Centuries. The second description about him is, he was nick-named the ”Two Horned Man”.
Dhul-Qarnain is someone who is blessed by Allah s.w.t. with irresistible power. The power to pursue any goal he wants to pursue. Therefore, the equivalent to a superpower of all superpowers. Equivalent to the ruling state of the world. And the definition of the ruling state is to dispose his will on any right on earth. This is Dhul-Qarnain.
84. Verily, We established him in the earth, and We gave him the means of everything.
It is narrated that Dhul Qarnain when went to the Hadj he was walking and Saidina Ibrahim a.s. head that Dhul Qarnain was coming for Hadj. Saidina Ibrahim a.s. went greet Dhul Qarnain. But power in Dhul Qarnain rests on the foundation of faith. Faith “iman”, faith in Allah s.w.t. When power rest on the foundation of faith. How will the power be used?
The First Journey
The Quran describes now his first journey in the direction of the setting of the sun. And there, he comes across by a muddy of dark water, meaning this is where God has limited him to go.
He comes across the people, what is he going to with these people?
Dhul Qarnain replies and he says: Those who are guilty of acts of “zulm” (zalim/opression), I’ll punish them.
And so power when it rests on the foundations of faith, power is used to punish the opressors.
And so when power rests on the foundations of faith, that power will be used to reward those who have faith and its condut is righteous.
85. So, he followed a way. 86. 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.” 87. 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)” 88. But as for him who believes (in Allah’s Oneness) and works righteousness, he shall have the best reward(Paradise), and we (Dhul-Qarnain) shall speak unto him mild words (as intructions).”
The Second Journey
And then Dhul Qarnain traveled in the opposite direction, in the direction of the rising of the sun.
And there he came across the people for whom they were provided no cover. Meaning cover from the enemies. And so people living an essentially primitive way of life.
When power rests on the foundations of faith, how will power responds to the primitive way of life?
89. Then he followed another way, 90. Until, when he came to the rising place of the sun, he found it rising on people for whom We (Allah) had provided no shelter against the sun. 91. So (it was)! And We knew all about him (Dhul-Qarnain).
The Third Journey
Dhul Qarnain now travels in the third direction, and there he comes across a pass between 2 mountains ranges and there in the pass he comes across a people. And the Quran describes these people, and pay careful attention to that description: “They could not understand their language; no one could understand their language.
So, why could no one understand their language?
Simple! Because these people had never interacted with the rest of mankind.
There was never any trade, so you don’t have to travel to learn language to trade.
No! These are peopl who live essentially like prime tribes. And so they are unknown in history. No one knows their language.
Dhul Qarnain now has to employ interpreters to get each other to communicate.
These people when they can communicate with Dhul-Qarnain then informs him:
“Oh Dhul Qarnain surely Gog and Magog are committing “fasad”, “fasad” in our territory. And “fasad” with glory wears today is to corrupt everything you touch.
Can you help us?
Can you build a barrier to protect us from Gog and Magog?
Strange request. Difficult to raise.
Why don’t they ask Dhul Qarnain, who is the ruling power in the world, just go in there and beat the living daylights out of them so they’ll never dare to comeback there?
No! ”Can you build the barrier?”
92. Then he followed (another) way, 93. Until, when he reached between two(2) mountains, he found, before (near) them (these two(2) mountains), a people who scarcely understood a word. 94. They said: “O Dhul-Qarnain! Verily Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog) are doing great mischief in the land. Shall we then pray you a tribute in order that you might erect a barrier between us and them?” 95. He said: “That (wealth, authority and power) in which my Lord had established me is better (than your tribute). So help me with strength (of men), I will erect between you and them a barrier. 96. “Give me pieces (blocks) of iron: “then, when he had filled up the gap between the two mountain-clifss, he said: “Blow,” then when he had made them (red as) fire, he said: “Bring me molten copper to pour.” 97. So they [Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) could not scale it or dig through it. 98. (Dhul-Qarnain) said: "This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the Promise of my Lord comes, He shall level it down to the ground. And the promise of my Lord is ever true."
To be Continued in Chapter 3 - Gog and Magog P3 (The Barrier and Origins).
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The story about Dhul-Qarnain and Gog and Magog (Yakjud and Makjud) can be found in the Quran, Chapter 18 Surat Al-Kahfi (The Cave). Verses 83-98.
83. And they ask you about Dhul-Qarnain. Say: “I shall recite to you something of his story.”
84. Verily, We established him in the earth, and We gave him the means of everything.
85. So, he followed a way.
86. 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.”
87. 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)”
88. But as for him who believes (in Allah’s Oneness) and works righteousness, he shall have the best reward(Paradise), and we (Dhul-Qarnain) shall speak unto him mild words (as intructions).”
89. Then he followed another way,
90. Until, when he came to the rising place of the sun, he found it rising on people for whom We (Allah) had provided no shelter against the sun.
91. So (it was)! And We knew all about him (Dhul-Qarnain).
92. Then he followed (another) way,
93. Until, when he reached between two(2) mountains, he found, before (near) them (these two(2) mountains), a people who scarcely understood a word.
94. They said: “O Dhul-Qarnain! Verily Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog) are doing great mischief in the land. Shall we then pray you a tribute in order that you might erect a barrier between us and them?”
95. He said: “That (wealth, authority and power) in which my Lord had established me is better (than your tribute). So help me with strength (of men), I will erect between you and them a barrier.
96. “Give me pieces (blocks) of iron: “then, when he had filled up the gap between the two mountain-clifss, he said: “Blow,” then when he had made them (red as) fire, he said: “Bring me molten copper to pour.”
97. So they [Ya'juj and Ma'juj (Gog and Magog) could not scale it or dig through it.
98. (Dhul-Qarnain) said: "This is a mercy from my Lord, but when the Promise of my Lord comes, He shall level it down to the ground. And the promise of my Lord is ever true."
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