Alexander the Great, known as Iskandar or Dhul-Qarnayn (the “Two-Horned One”) in Islam, holds a unique place in Islamic history and literature. While his portrayal in the Qur’an and other Islamic sources differs from historical accounts of the Macedonian king, it reflects the blend of religious, cultural, and historical narratives that shaped medieval Islamic thought.
Is Islam’s Dhul-Qarnayn Alexander the Great?
While the identity of Dhul-Qarnayn has been debated, many Islamic scholars and traditions associate him with Alexander the Great. This account intertwines themes of power, justice and eschatology, making it one of the Qur’an’s most captivating narratives. The identification of Dhul-Qarnayn with Alexander the Great stems from historical and cultural interpretations. Alexander was often depicted with a horned helmet, earning him the title “Two-Horned.”
Al-Tabari, a Persian historian, identified Dhul-Qarnayn with Alexander the Great in his famous work History of Prophets and Kings. He included legendary details from the Alexander Romance, a collection of stories that portrayed Alexander as a heroic figure with divine connections. Al-Tabari’s interpretation was influenced by earlier Syriac and Greek traditions, which were widespread in the region during his time.
The Arab historian and geographer Al-Mas’udi also associated Dhul-Qarnayn with Alexander the Great in his work Meadows of Gold. He described Alexander as a great ruler who traveled the world and built the barrier against Gog and Magog. He paralleled the Qur’anic story of Dhul-Qarnayn with him.
The journey to the setting Sun
The Qur’an narrates part of the work of Alexander the Great in the Islamic tradition. In fact, muslims consider “Dhul-Qarnayn” a prophet. According to the Qur’an, God granted him the power on earth to establish his empire and to fight the corrupt nations.
The Qur’an introduces Dhul-Qarnayn as a just and powerful leader to whom God granted great authority and resources. With divine guidance, he traveled across the earth, establishing justice and dealing with nations according to their deeds. His journeys and actions symbolize the balance of power and responsibility under divine will.
The first significant episode in Dhul-Qarnayn’s narrative describes his journey to the far west, where he witnessed the sun setting in “a spring of dark, muddy, or heated water.” At this location, he encountered a group of people. God gave Dhul-Qarnayn the discretion to deal with them as he saw fit. He chose a path of justice, punishing wrongdoers and rewarding the righteous, emphasizing his role as a fair and God-conscious ruler.
The barrier against Gog and Magog
In his most famous encounter, Dhul-Qarnayn reached a region between two mountains. Here, he found a people who spoke an unfamiliar language and sought his help. They pleaded for protection from Gog and Magog (Yajuj and Majuj)—forces of chaos and destruction wreaking havoc on the earth.
Dhul-Qarnayn agreed to their request but declined their offer of payment. Instead, he sought their assistance in constructing a massive barrier to confine Gog and Magog. Using iron and molten copper, he built an impenetrable structure between the mountains. This barrier was so robust that Gog and Magog could neither scale it nor breach it.
Dhul-Qarnayn attributed the success of the barrier to God’s mercy and warned that it would eventually collapse when God’s promise came to pass. They often interpret the collapse as a sign of the end times.
Gog and Magog, also mentioned in Jewish and Christian eschatology, represent forces of corruption, chaos and destruction. In Islamic tradition, their eventual emergence is a significant event linked to the Day of Judgment. The Qur’an portrays Dhul-Qarnayn as a protector against these destructive forces, highlighting his role in maintaining order and justice.
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