Selected Exegesis

The fourth story in this surah is that of Dhū al-Qarnayn. After consulting the Jews, the polytheists of the Hijaz ask the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.) about the story of Dhū al-Qarnayn in order to test him, and God says: Tell them that I will soon recite to you verses of the Qur’an about him. The polytheists of the Hijaz were interested in stories and history, but the Messenger of God (s.a.w.) made them understand that they ought to ask about Dhū al-Qarnayn’s standing and his identity in knowledge and in action.

Various explanations have been given for why he was called Dhū al-Qarnayn. Knowing them brings no doctrinal benefit, and not knowing them does no harm, although some of them may carry historical points that lie outside the level of exegetical teachings.

The story of Dhū al-Qarnayn has a central element and a non-central one: the Noble Qur’an presents its central element, while the narrations and historical reports contain its non-central element.