Search Dhulqarnayn at Surah al-Kahf: Historical Analysis

 

Source: Iransafar.com.

Today, we will discuss about who character Dhulqarnayn at Surah al-Kahf. Who figure in back of this name? And, how historians identified him at Islamic Historiography? And, how Islamic Traditional Historiography and Modern Historiography seeing him?. Ok, please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more informations about Islamic History and Civilization. It is simple step, but have big role for help us develop our blog that focuss at Islamic History and Civilization s education for people . And, dont forget for read this article until end for get more information about this topic.

Story of Dhulqarnayn, tell at Koran (Islamic Holy Book) , located at Surah al-Kahf: 83-89 . And , it is tell about one king who doing journey around the world and meet with two destroyer tribes, Gog and Magog. Dhulqarnayn , make wall for bound them , because request from natives at this place,  that feel disturb with Gog and Magog. Nadiah Thayyarah, said that Dhulqarnayn doing journey around Asia, Africa, Europe, and also South and North America. And, Dhulqarnayn also achieve Siberia. Gog and Magog, predicted by Nadiah Thayyarah as Caucasus Mountain at Russia. And, Gog and Magog is two nations who love war.

Nadiah Thayyarah certain that Gog and Magog s location located at North Caucasus, because according him, this mountaint not conquered by big conquest at history, such as Alexander the Great s conquest, or Muslim Conquest.

But,  who mentioned Dhulqarnayn at history?. Nadiah Thayyarah doesnt identified this character. According 14 TH Syrian Historian , Ibn Kathir, at his book, Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah, said Dhulqarnayn is king who has territories that included all earth.

Researcher Hermansyah, mentioned several argument that tried to identified Dhulqarnayn. Exist argument that said Dhulqarnayn is Alexander the Great, but according Hermansyah, it is weak and confront many versions from Islamic Scholars. According Hermansyah, argument that said Dhulqarnayn is Alexander the Great, greatest king from Macedonia, originated from Hadith ( Islamic oral tradition from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam ) that narrated by Imam Thabari. And, Hermansyah said it is weak Hadith.  As information , Alexander the Great life at 356 -321 BCE.  And, Dhulqarnayn , according Hermansyah, meet Propeth Ibrahim Alaihissalam. And, according Christiant Tradition, Propeth Ibrahim ( Abraham) Alaihissalam life at 1950-1775 BCE. Hermansyah, quoted story from one Tabiin (Islamic generation after Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam), Ubayd ibn Umayr that said Dhulqarnayn meet Propeth Ibrahim Alaihissalam when doing Hajj ( Islamic pilgrim at Mecca). And, Hermansyah said distance period from Dhulqarnayn and Alexander The Great achieve 2000 years. He also certaint Dhulqarnayn originated from Arab Nations.

And, Juan Cole, also give argument, but it is unpopular argument. According Juan Cole, story of Dhulqarnayn, originally illustrated historical event when Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s age.  According Juan Cole, at 627 AD, happened summit from battle beetwen Byzantine Empire under Heraclius and Sassanid Empire of Persia under Khosrow II. Heraclius can destroy Persian s aggresion at Middle East and re captured Anatolia from Persian s occupation. Several Byzantine s writter, make one story that named by Alexander Romance, that tell about story of Alexander the Great who make big wall for bound Gog and Magog. They considered Persia as Gog and Magog, and Heraclius as Alexander. According Cole, Koran adopted this story for tell about this historical moment. But, it is unpopular opinion and different with Islamic Scholar  s argument.

And, important, Dhulqarnayn is one story at Koran that maybe cannot understanding by human his complete story today. Wallahualam Bishawab.

Refrences:

Imam Ibnu Katsir: Al-Bidayah Wa An-Nihayah, Penerbit Insan Kamil, 2018 M.

Thayyarah, DR.Nadiah: Buku Pintar Sains Dalam Al-Quran: Mengerti Mukjizat Ilmiah Firman Allah, Penerbit Zaman, 2014 M.

Cole, Juan: Muhammad: Juru Damai di Tengah Benturan Imperium Besar Dunia. Penerbit Alvabet.2019 M.

Hermansyah, H. (2016). Kisah Dzulqarnain dalam Perspektif Sejarah Ilmu Tafsir. El-Hikmah: Jurnal Ilmu Dakwah dan Komunikasi, 8(3), 47-47.

Anonymous: Abraham | The Biblical Timeline, accesed 27 September 2025, 07: 15 AM.

Mark, Joshua.J.: Alexander the Great - World History Encyclopedia, accesed 27 September 2025, 07: 15 AM.