ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Hayat Al-Qulub, Vol. 1, Stories of the Prophets An Account of Dhu’l-Qarnayn Al-Qutb al-Rawandi mentions that his name was Ayaash, and that after Nuh he was the first ruler whose kingdom included (all) the countries of the east and west. It must be clarified that there is a difference of opinion among the historians and commentators whether Dhu’l-Qarnayn was same as Alexander of Rome. According to authentic traditions it wasn’t so.

Whether he was a Prophet or not is another point of difference. Actually he was not a Prophet, he was an honorable personality who was guided by the Almighty. Why he is referred to as Dhu’l-Qarnayn is another topic of contention. There are many opinions in this regard.

The first explanation is that he is named Dhu’l-Qarnayn (one having two ‘qarns’) is because at first the people hit him on his right side (qarn) of the head and killed him but the Almighty raised him, and again they hit him on his left side (qarn) and killed. Again Allah gave him life. Second: He lived for two epochs. Third: He had a pair of horns on his head, or two projections from his head resembling a pair of horns. Fourth: His crown had two projecting branches.

Fifth: Both the sides of his head were extra strong. Sixth: He had conquered the earth fully and his dominion stretched to the two limits. Seventh: He had locks of hair hanging from both the sides of his head. Eighth: Allah had given him power over light and darkness. Ninth: He had a dream that he has gone to the heavens and was clinging to both the sides of the Sun. Tenth: ‘Qarn’ stands for strength.

Hence Dhu’l-Qarnayn had two ‘Qarns’ - strength and power, and the possessor of great influence on his kingdom. “And they ask you about Dhu’l-Qarnayn. Say: I will recite to you an account of him. Surely We established him in the land and granted him means of access to everything. So he followed a course. Until when he reached the place where the sun set, he found it going down into a Black Sea, and found by it a people. We said, O Dhu’l-Qarnayn!

Either give them a chastisement or do them a benefit. He said, As to him who is unjust, we will chastise him, then shall he be returned to his Lord, and He will chastise him with an exemplary chastisement: And as for him who believes and does good, he shall have goodly reward, and We will speak to him an easy word of Our command. Then he followed (another) course.