Learning to read Quran correctly, and to try to understand it completely is a task that no Muslim should ever neglect. Quran is not just a book containing instructions, and old stories. It is a book of wisdom. It teaches us lessons that cannot be learnt on our own. And the lessons that it holds are as true today, as they were 1400 years ago.

Fortunately, Learning and understanding Quran has become a relatively easy task today. Online Quran lessons and online Quran tutors can assist us in achieving the best of dunya and aakhira for us. Whether you opt for Quran reading lessons, or online Arabic classes, they help you go one step nearer to your goal; Understanding the word of Allah SWT to make the best of both the worlds. You can hire a private Quran teacher, or take up online Quran classes according to your preference and needs. The most important thing is to stay connected with the Book of Allah SWT, and online Quran lessons is just one of the many ways to do so.

Each verse of Quran holds meanings and lessons for us. So does the story of DhulQarnain, which is mentioned in Chapter 18: Surah Al-Kahf. Al-Kahaf was revealed when the Non-believers of Makkah, with the help of Jew scholars presented some questions to the Prophet SAW as a test. The People of the Book (Jews/Christians) knew DhulQarnain as a person who had travelled extensively all around the world. Allah SWT sent down the surah with detailed answers.

DhulQarnain had great power and knowledge. He travelled all across the globe, fought and conquered many lands, and established the name of Allah SWT where ever he went. According to some tafseers, he was given the name of DhulQarnain (two horns) because he had travelled far to the East and far to the West. He was a righteous, kind person, but was strict in punishing the wrongdoers. Despite the power he had, he still was a just ruler. He was humble and he knew that all the powers that he had, were blessings of Allah SWT.

 First he travelled to the furthest point towards West. He established his rule there on the principles of kindness, and justice.Then, he started his journey towards the East. Whichever nations he met on his way, he would first present them the message of Allah SWT. If they accepted it, he continued without war, but if they didn’t, he fought till he established Allah’s message. He came across different people and nations during his journey. He met many strange and weird people during his journey. When he reached the furthest point in East, he came across a nation that had no shelter against sun. According to the Tafseer Ibn Katheer, it meant that they had no buildings or trees. They went down in tunnels till the sun lowered down a bit, and would then come out to carry on with the business of life.

Next, he took up a different direction. He reached a nation, which was so isolated that they could barely understand his language. They told him that Yajooj Majooj (another nation) were always troubling them, and sought his help in keeping Yajooj Majooj away from their land. They offered to pay him for his help.

Dhul Qarnain agreed to help them, but without any compensation, and he told them that Allah SWT had blessed him with much better than their offered pay. He asked for work force to assist him, and building materials. He asked for large Iron blocks, which he used to build a wall between two mountains to block Yajooj Majooj from entering their land.He then asked them to melt copper in a large quantity. Then he poured the molten copper over the iron block wall, to make it stronger. The stronger the wall, the safer they would be.

The host nation was extremely happy as now they were safe from Yajooj Majooj. Dhul Qarnain told them that it was a mercy from Allah SWT that their enemy wouldn’t be able to scale the wall or break it, and the wall would only protect them till Allah SWT willed. According to several hadiths, Yajooj Majooj would be able to break this wall as the Day of Judgement nears. They would then spread all across the world and would then cause mischief and trouble where ever they would go. According to a hadith in Sahih Muslim, and Sahih Bukhari, Yajooj Majooj would make up a large chunk of the denizens of hell.

 The story of Dhul Qarnain shows us several qualities that a ruler should have.

1.     Fear of Allah

2.     Humbleness; to remember that whatever powers, favors, and qualities you have, are blessings of Allah SWT indeed.

3.     Justice; being kind to the victims, and strict in punishing the wrongdoers.

4.     Being helpful

5.     Dawah; Spreading the word of Allah SWT in whatever capacity you can. Your actions, your words, and even your personality can help in the cause of Dawah.

We should remember that these qualities are not limited to the rulers of the land.

It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Prophet (SAW) said:

Beware. Every one of you is a shepherd and every one is answerable with regard to his flock. The Caliph is a shepherd over the people and shall be questioned about his subjects (as to how he conducted their affairs). A man is a guardian over the members of his family and shal be questioned about them (as to how he looked after their physical and moral well-being). A woman is a guardian over the household of her husband and his children and shall be questioned about them (as to how she managed the household and brought up the children). A slave is a guardian over the property of his master and shall be questioned about it (as to how he safeguarded his trust). Beware, every one of you is a guardian and every one of you shall be questioned with regard to his trust.

Reference:

[1] Narrated by Sahih Muslim, hadith 1829