Alexander the Great, known in Islam as Iskandar or Dhu al-Qaranan ("the Two-Wayed"), holds a special place in Islamic history and literature. His depiction in the Quran and other Islamic sources differs from historical accounts of the Macedonian king, reflecting the synthesis of religious, cultural, and historical elements that shaped medieval Islamic thought.
The identity of Dhu al-Qaranan has been the subject of debate, but many Islamic scholars and traditions identify him with Alexander the Great. This narrative combines themes of power, justice, and eschatology, making it one of the most compelling stories in the Quran. The connection of Dhu al-Qaranan to Alexander the Great stems from historical and cultural interpretations. Alexander was often depicted wearing a helmet with horns, which earned him the title "Two-Horned".
The Persian historian Al-Tabari, in his History of the Prophets and Kings, identified Dul-Qaranan with Alexander the Great, incorporating legendary elements from the Alexander the Great, a collection of narratives that presented him as a heroic figure with divine connections. Al-Tabari's interpretation was influenced by earlier Syrian and Greek traditions, which were prevalent in his time.
The Arab historian and geographer Al-Masudi, in his work The Golden Meadows, also linked dhu Al-Qaranan with alexander The Great. He described Alexander as a great ruler who traveled the world and built the barrier against gog And magog. he Found Similarities between the quranic account of dhu Al-Qaranan and the life of Alexander.
The Quran narrates part of Alexander the Great's work through Islamic tradition. In fact, Muslims consider "Dul-Qaranan" a prophet. According to the Quran, God gave him authority over the earth, allowing him to establish his empire and fight corrupt nations.
Dul-Qaranain is presented as a just and powerful leader, to whom God granted great power and resources. With divine guidance, he traversed the land, restoring justice and dealing with nations according to their deeds. His travels and actions symbolize the balance between power and responsibility under the divine will.
One of the most important moments in his story is his journey to the west, where he saw the sun set “in a source of dark, muddy or warm waters”. There he met a people and was given the opportunity to decide their fate. He chose the path of justice, punishing the unjust and rewarding the righteous, underlining his role as a just and God-fearing leader.
In his most famous encounter, Dul-Qaranan reached a region between two mountains. There he found a people speaking an unknown language and asked for help. They begged him to protect them from Gog and Magog (Yajuj and Majuz), destructive forces that were wreaking havoc on the earth.
Dul-Qaranain agreed to help them, but refused any reward. Instead, he asked for their help in building a huge barrier that would keep Gog and Magog confined. Using iron and molten bronze, he built an impenetrable structure between the mountains, so strong that his enemies could neither climb nor penetrate it.
Dul-Qaranain Attributed the project's success to divine mercy and warned that the dam would collapse when the divine hour came. this collapse is Often interpreted as a sign of the end of the world.
Gog and Magog, also mentioned in Jewish and Christian eschatology, symbolize forces of corruption, chaos, and destruction. In Islamic tradition, their final appearance is associated with the Day of Judgment. The Quran presents Dhu al-Qaranan as a protector against these forces, emphasizing his role in maintaining order and justice.
