Concerning these ideas...

Concerning these ideas, opinions are divided, and there have been cited many statements and discussions upon these matters which are not of avail to be mentioned here. The aim should be looked for, not the insignificant matters which produce no guidance. Therefore, this verse says: “And they ask you about Zulqarnayn.

“So he followed a course.” Ali-ibn-Abitalib (as) taught a young man from Balkh a supplication, the Mashlul Supplication, wherein he says: “O He Who helped Zul-Qarnayn against the tyrannical kings (to overcome them)!” Again, a tradition from him (as) denotes that Zul-Qarnayn is the one who has the sign of kingdom and prophecy, and who is aware of every thing so that he recognizes the right from wrong; and Allah caused the cities and hearts to be submitted to him.[^2] Zul-Qarnayn and Solayman (Solomon) were two believers who governed the earth, and Nebuchadnezzar (Bukht-un-Nasr) and Namrood were two disbelievers who governed the earth, too.[^3] The power which Allah (s.w.t.) gives to His saints, (such as Solayman, Yusuf, and some believers) is for using it in Allah’s way.

Concerning the good servants of Allah, the Qur’an says: “(They are) those who if We establish them in the land, keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate and enjoin right and forbid wrong…” [^4] The holy Qur’an also criticizes those who use their power alongside the way of evil, where it says: “Have they not considered how many a generation We destroyed before them, whom We had established in the earth…?” They used to misuse their power and governnment.

[^5] The verse itself says: “Verily We did make him mighty in the earth, and We granted him the means (of access) to every thing. Upon the commentary of the second verse mentioned in the above, it has been cited that Allah gave Zul-Qarnayn both power and government in the earth, and he tried to improve the earth.