Surely We established him in the land, and gave him the means to all things.
18:84
So he travelled a course,
18:85
until he reached the setting ˹point˺ of the sun, which appeared to him to be setting in a spring of murky water, where he found some people. We said, “O Ⱬul-Qarnain! Either punish them or treat them kindly.”
18:86
He responded, “Whoever does wrong will be punished by us, then will be returned to their Lord, Who will punish them with a horrible torment.
18:87
As for those who believe and do good, they will have the finest reward, and we will assign them easy commands.”
18:88
Then he travelled a ˹different˺ course
18:89
until he reached the rising ˹point˺ of the sun. He found it rising on a people for whom We had provided no shelter from it.1
18:90
So it was. And We truly had full knowledge of him.
18:91
Then he travelled a ˹third˺ course
18:92
until he reached ˹a pass˺ between two mountains. He found in front of them a people who could hardly understand ˹his˺ language.
18:93
They pleaded, “O Ⱬul-Qarnain! Surely Gog and Magog1 are spreading corruption throughout the land. Should we pay you tribute, provided that you build a wall between us and them?”
18:94
He responded, “What my Lord has provided for me is far better. But assist me with resources, and I will build a barrier between you and them.
18:95
Bring me blocks of iron!” Then, when he had filled up ˹the gap˺ between the two mountains, he ordered, “Blow!” When the iron became red hot, he said, “Bring me molten copper to pour over it.”
18:96
And so the enemies could neither scale nor tunnel through it.
18:97