Dhulqurnain/Zulqurnain is often thought to be Alexander the Great. But that may not be true. There is another opinion of folks who believe the actual Dhulqurnain is Cyrus of Persia.
Who do you believe it is? And why?
I have found some very interesting details on this subject, and inshaAllah i’ll share them later on.
Re: Who exactly is Zulqurnain, as mentioned in Quran?
Could be Alexander.
Here is why I half-heartedly agree with this theory.
All descriptions DQN (Dhulqurnain/Zulqurnain) in the Quran, can match Alexander.
Also from some of the old coins it is seen that Alexander's hair would come to the front in the form of two horns.
He had the army to achieve such great tasks and did all these things at a very young age.
He traveled the most far off regions.
Other stuff can be mentioned...but its late and thats all I can think of right now.
But I thought Alexendar never became muslim 
may be I am wrong 
Doesnt seem like he did.
But then again not all the people mentioned in Quran are Muslim as we call them.
A lot of mentions are about time that predates Quran, all the way till Adam.
Waisy to hadrat Eisa never called himself Muslim either.
The story of Alexandar the great is from 336-323 BC. So if anything he would’ve been a jew.
Doesnt seem like he did. But then again not all the people mentioned in Quran are Muslim as we call them. A lot of mentions are about time that predates Quran, all the way till Adam. Waisy to hadrat Eisa never called himself Muslim either.
The story of Alexandar the great is from 336-323 BC. So if anything he would've been a jew.
I know that but what I mean is he was not a worshiper of ALLAH ,he was stone gods worshipper but again may be history is telling us something else.
Doesnt seem like he did. But then again not all the people mentioned in Quran are Muslim as we call them. A lot of mentions are about time that predates Quran, all the way till Adam. Waisy to hadrat Eisa never called himself Muslim either.
The story of Alexandar the great is from 336-323 BC. So if anything he would've been a jew.
Zulqarnain was a believer. Alexander was NOT a believer.
Re: Who exactly is Zulqurnain, as mentioned in Quran?
I think you're onto something there ume-zafeerah.
I too have my doubts about it being Alexander the Great. Wasn't he Greek? and Greeks/Romans were polytheists.
Cryus is a zoroastrian, which according to what i have read was based on Tauheed. Though the way of worship might be different than how muslims pray today.
Also the two horns could mean two lands, Persia was divided into two power which were constantly at war with each other. Lydia and Media, and Cyrus united the two.
I know that but what I mean is he was not a worshiper of ALLAH ,he was stone gods worshipper but again may be history is telling us something else.
True
I dont think he was monotheistic to begin with. Not even zoroastrian...But maybe during his conquests he changed - dont know . Not much is written about his personal beliefs, just his conquests.
Re: Who exactly is Zulqurnain, as mentioned in Quran?
off the topic a bit but ...
Then again King Najashi didnt procalim to be a muslim but the Prophet SAW prayed Ghaibaana Namaz e Janazah.
So One can be Muslim but not be knwn if he was or not.
Re: Who exactly is Zulqurnain, as mentioned in Quran?
Teggy Bro .. can you Provide the Verse in the Qur,an you are referring to.
Cos according to my studies there was also a Prophet By the name of Zulqarnain.
Re: Who exactly is Zulqurnain, as mentioned in Quran?
^...well agree.
But just remembered. Alexander actually wanted to claim divinity. So that makes him...umm...pretty bad - and not worthy of even a small amount of praise in the Quran. But thats what I have heard from a documentary.
Re: Who exactly is Zulqurnain, as mentioned in Quran?
"And they will ask you about Zolqarnain. Tell them, 'I will tell you now one of his tales.' We gave him power upon earth and gave him authority over everything. And he followed upon his authority, until he reached the lands west of the sun and found out the sun set there in a muddy spring. Nearby, he found a tribe. We told him: Zolqarnain, you have the authority. Either you will punish them or you will be generous to them. He said: Whoever ascribes company to God will be punished soon and I will return him to his God and punish him severely. But whoever accepts the faith and does good things, I will reward well and make things easy for him. He followed up on his words, and he reached the lands on the east of the sun and saw people who were not shielded before it. Thus, we know from his affairs. He followed on his work and he reached between two huge wall-like mountains and found people who understood no language. [Through a translator] they told Zolqarnain, 'The Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj people bring great devastation to this land. If you want us to pay you tribute, build a wall between them and us.' He said: The power that God has blessed me with is better than your tributes, but help me [with manpower] to build a wall between you and them.' When they laid the foundation, he said: Bring me pieces of iron [and put them in a heap], until he filled the gap between the two mountains, making them level. He said: Blow [in furnaces of fire],'[and they did] until [iron] became [hot] like fire. Then he told them: Bring me melt zinc, until [a wall was built and the Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj] could not penetrate it. He said: This is a blessing from my God and when His promised day arrives, He will scatter it and right is my God's promise." [Kahf Sureh/18/verses 83-98].
Re: Who exactly is Zulqurnain, as mentioned in Quran?
So have we reached a concensus that it wasnt Alexander?
Now what do you know about Cyrus.
Teggy is right about zoroastrianism being a monotheistic religion.
BTW I have been to Cyrus’ grave when I was about 6 years old. heh
Here it is:
Re: Who exactly is Zulqurnain, as mentioned in Quran?
Teggy Etc. I have a Tafsir of the Qur'aan Infron of me Called I'raab al Quraan, its very detailed by Muhy Ud Din al Darwesh.
To confirm. Zulqarnain here isnt thought to be Alex the Grreat. Will get to you more on this in detailed am gonna check further more with deatil and the whole story and get back to you inshaAllah.
Re: Who exactly is Zulqurnain, as mentioned in Quran?
Alexander the ‘great’ and Cyrus of Persia are two very different people, who came around different times (Cyrus came in 600 BC, Alexander around 350 BC) with different styles of ruling. Cyrus is who we know as Prophet zulqernain who travelled vastly in the earth, building the first world empire. He built the iron wall to keep back yajooj majooj, between the black and caspian sea.
The meaning of Zulqernain is ‘two horns’ as the helemt he wore always had two horns protuding. He was a monothiest, unlike alexander. The fort gates still exist and are known as caspian gates of derbent (rooted in the persian word dar band - closed gated), but mistakenly is attributed to Alexander by some historians.
The Gates of Alexander are most commonly identified with the Caspian Gates of Derbent (*Russia](Russia - Wikipedia)) whose thirty north-looking towers used to stretch for forty kilometers between the Caspian Sea](Caspian Sea - Wikipedia) and the *Caucasus Mountains](Caucasus Mountains - Wikipedia), effectively blocking the passage across the Caucasus.
Derbent was built around the world’s only surviving Sassanid](Sasanian Empire - Wikipedia)Persian](Achaemenid Empire - Wikipedia) fortress, which served as a strategic location protecting the empire from attacks by the *Gokturks](Göktürks - Wikipedia). The historical Caspian Gates were not built until probably the reign of Khosrau I](Khosrow I - Wikipedia) in the 6th century, long after Alexander’s time, but they came to be credited to him in the passing centuries. The immense wall had a height of up to twenty meters and a thickness of about 10 feet (3 m) when it was in use.*
Although the current fortifications date to well after Alexander’s death, some scholars postulate that there might have been earlier fortifications built during the Achaemenid](Achaemenid Empire - Wikipedia) Persian Empire (the area has indeed been settled for at least 5000 years). If this is true, agents of Alexander’s empire may have visited or even strengthened them after the Achaemenids were conquered, though Alexander personally never travelled that far north.
Re: Who exactly is Zulqurnain, as mentioned in Quran?
I'm going to quote in exact words what a good friend has to say on the subject:
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Bros/Sis,
It's about time that we study the Quran as the ultimate source of historical contexts. You can be assured that no history has been falsified to serve interest of certain parties. It is the living proof and witness of events in the past, present and future.
WHO IS DZULQARNAIN?
The discussion about Dzulqarnain has to start with determining his real identity.
1st Viewpoint:
- He lived in the same age with Prophet Ibrahim a.s.
It is thought that he met Prophet Ibrahim a.s. in Palestine
Professor Muhammad Khayr Ramadhan Yusuf agrees with this view based on similar views by tsiqah Islamic Historians: Abu Hayyan (author of al-Bahr al-Muhith), al-Qurtubi (author al-Jami’ li Ahkaam al-Quran), Sheikh Ege (author Tafsir Jami’ al-Bayaan), az-Zamakhsyari (author Tafsir al-Kasyaf), an-Nasafi (Tafsir Madarik at-Tanzil), al-Alusi (author Ruh al-Ma’aani), al-Azraqi, Ibnu Iyas (penulis Bada’ie az-Zuhoor fi Waqa’ie ad-Duhoor) and Ali Duka (author Muhadharah al-Awa’il).
However, there were no conclusive evidence by all mentioned above.
2nd Viewpoint:
- Dzulqarnain is Alexander the Macedon, born in Macedonia 356BC
His father is King Philip of Macedonia
King Philip put Alexander under the tutor of Aristotle
King Philip died when Alexander was 20 years old and took the throne in 336BC
2 years later he launched a campaign against the Persian Empire and defeated it on 333BC and subsequently conquered Syam and Iraq, eventually India
In his brief reign over 10 years, he has conquered almost every known empires that existed at that time.
Returned to Greece, on the way stopped over in Babylon, Iraq to rest.
Fell into high fever for 11 days and died on 323BC at the age of 33.
Known as Dzulqarnain (Having two horns) for his victories over the 2 major empires at the time, Persia and Greece.
Those who believed that Alexander is Dzulqarnain mentioned in the al-Quran include many well known Mufassirin and Historians such as:
Al-Mas’udi, al-Maqrizi, ats-Tsa’labi, al-Idrisi, ar-Razi, Abu Hayyan, an-Nasafi, Abu al-Mas’ud, al-Alusi, al-Qasimi and Muhammad Farid Wajdi
However, this view is incorrect because the al-Quran explicitly mentioned characteristics of Dzulqarnain as someone who is a god fearing believer, fair, pious and just ruler.
3rd Viewpoint:
- Dzulqarnain is King Kaurush / Cyrus the Great from Persia
- He united the kingdoms of Lydia and Media
- Reigned for 30 years 559BC – 539BC
- Scholars who hold this view include:
Abu al-Kalam Aazad in his book Yas’aloonaka ‘an Dzil Qarnain and Dr. Abdul ‘Aleem Abdul Rahman Khadar author of Qissah Dzil Qarnain.
CYRUS / KAURUSH
- Kaurush ruled Persia during the early periods of Persian Iranian history before the conquest of Alexander the Macedon
Persia was divided in two at the time: Faris at the South and Media at the North
When Kaurush took the throne in 559BC, he united the two kingdoms.
He expanded his empire with the intention of freeing oppressed people
Famous wars fought:
1. Rome in the west
2. Eastern campaigns
3. Northern Campaigns
WAR AGAINST GREECE IN THE WEST
Greece at the time was a neighbor with Lydia situated in Northern Asia Minor that stretched all the way to the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea
There were constant wars between the two powers Lydia (Greece) dan Media (Persia)
Lydia at the time was ruled by King Croesus
When Kaurush took the throne, Croesus announced war with Kaurush
Kaurush prepared an army and mobilized to the West towards Lydia until two major battles ensued at Patria dan Sardis.
Croesus was defeated and Lydia Kingdom became a vassal of Kaurush.
Kaurush treated the Lydians fairly and justly
This war is the first campaign waged by Kaurush as stated in the al-Quran. The capital city of Lydia is Sardis located at Aegean sea near Izmir in present day Turkey.
Dr Abdul Aleem Abdul Rahman Khadar describes the Aegean sea near Izmir as having the similar description of the sun setting in black muddy waters by al-Quran surah al-Kahf verse 86.
EASTERN CAMPAIGN
- At the Eastern borders there were nomadic people who were conducting acts of fasad (wickedness) at the edge of King Kaurush empire
After defeating Croesus, Kaurush heads East to crush the nomadic uprising
His conquests in the East reached the Sind River, Isfahan, Khurasan, Qum and others.
The nomadic nature of these tribes saw little needed for permanent residences. Due to this they did have permanent shelter to weather the heat as mentioned in surah al-Kahf verse 90.
CAMPAIGN IN THE NORTH AGAINST GOG AND MAGOG- After securing his position in the West by defeating Lydian Kingdom and the East and also the Southern borders after conqueirng Babylon, Kaurush mobilized to the North to strengthen his positions there
The Northern regions include Georgia, Adzerbaijan and Armenia located South of the Caucasus Mountains
The Caucasus Mountains is a continoues mountanous range and there are no roads through it except for one solitary pass called the Daryal Pass
South of the Caucasus is inhabited by Kochian tribes while North of the mountains is inhabited by Turkic tribes known as Scythians or Gog & Magog who lived very barbaric livestyle as described by al-Quran.
The Kochia tribe as mentioned by surah al-Kahf verse 93 were speaking in tongue not known elsewhere in the world.
The requested that Kaurush help them to fight the Scythians to the North.
Kaurush stayed with the Kochia tribes for 9 years and built the barrier to cover the Daryal Pass from the attacks of Gog & Magog.
DZULQARNAIN’S WALL AT DARYAL PASS
- Al-Qasimi described “This barrier existed in Dagestan which is now part of Russia between the towns of Darband dan Khuzar. Between these towns lies a mountanous pass which is known for so long as “The Barrier”. Here there is one wall known as the “The Iron Gate”, a very old gate in between the mountain pass. These mountains is very well known to Arabs as the Qaf Mountains.
*END OF CYRUS AND HIS EMPIRE *
- Cyrus took the throne in 559BC and ruled for 30 years.
- His empire covered vast swathes of land, Palestin, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turki, Iraq, Iran, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, North Pakistan, Afghanistan dan Turkistan.
- He died in the year 529BC.
- He is succeeded by his son Cambyses.
- Cambyses conquered Eqypt 525BC.
- Medians under leadership of Gaumata revolted.
- Cambyses went Egypt to quell the revolt but died along the way in Syam.
- Cyrus had no other heir, so his nephew Darius succeeded the throne.
- After Darius, the throne went to Ardashir (Artaxerxes) and he is the one attacked by Alexander the Macedon until his death, with the Empire established by Cyrus (Kaurush) came to an abrupt end.
CHARACTER OF CYRUS AND CHARACTER OF DZULQARNAIN
- Dzulqarnain as portrayed by the Al-Quran is a just and kind king.
Cyrus is known to be just, kind, and merciful as shown during the conquest of Lydia and his hospitality towards King Croesus.
Father of Greek Classical History, Herodotus had this to say: “Cyrus was a great and merciful king. He was not preoccupied with amassing great wealth and booty as other Kings would. On the other hand he was a very charitable and liked to help the oppressed and needy, always looked out for the best in humanity.”
Xenophon, another Greek historian, concurred with Herodotus regarding Cyrus as a just ruler.
CYRUS FAITHFUL TO ALLAH
- Al-Quran explicitly mentioned that Dzulqarnain was a God fearing ruler, always in remembrance of Allah, always thankful for all the bounties and power granted by Allah swt.
Abu al-Kalam Aazar said that Cyrus’s akidah was based on Tauhid to Allah, he worships Allah and remain sincere to his religion.
Cyrus was a follower of Zoroaster (Zoroastrian) which initially was based on Tauhid.
He abandoned the old religion of Medes which is the Majusi religion.
After the death of Cyrus, Majusi followers revolted and attacked Zoroaster religion.
Zoroastrian during Cyrus’s time is based on Tauhid which believed in Allah. However that religion was infiltrated and corrupted by the Majusi community.
The Muslim Ummah has never forgotten the basis of Tauhid in Zoroastrian. Rasulullah SAW himself said, “Do what you may unto them like what you do with Ahlul Kitab among the Yahudi dan Nasrani”. It is for this reason that the Muslims collected Jizyah from them.
In other words, Zoroastrian was a Samawi religion suffered through the same fate of Judaism dan Christianity, which were corrupted by man.
Abu al-Kalam Aazad concludes that Zoroaster was a Prophet sent to the Persians and Cyrus who were followers of this religion and which was eventually corrupted.
Wallahu A’lam.....
-Source: A friend; asralfarhi
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