Part 1 · Pages 304-306
The Account of the World-Traveller
English rendering of the source section
Local English translation from the Arabic text; Qur’anic citations and editorial explanations are distinguished.
This local English rendering may condense the Arabic narration and editorial notes. It is not a complete published English edition. Consult the Arabic source for exact wording and context.
Read the corresponding Arabic sectionThe account then turns to the question of the man who travelled widely: “They ask you about Dhu al-Qarnayn. Say: I will recite to you a report about him” (18:83). Allah established him in the land and gave him means to travel.
Ibn Ishaq relates that Dhu al-Qarnayn was given extraordinary means and travelled to the furthest east and west, ruling the peoples he reached. A report from transmitters of Persian accounts names him Marzuban ibn Mardubah, a Greek from the descendants of Yunan ibn Japheth ibn Noah. Ibn Hisham identifies him as Alexander, builder of Alexandria. Another report describes him as a king who traversed the earth by means placed at his disposal.
The Qur’an asks about Dhu al-Qarnayn, saying Allah established him in the land and gave him means to travel (18:83–85). Ibn Ishaq reports that he travelled to the furthest east and west and ruled the peoples he reached. One tradition calls him Marzuban ibn Mardubah, a Greek descended from Yunan ibn Japheth; Ibn Hisham identifies him as Alexander, builder of Alexandria. Another report describes him as a king who traversed the earth by means Allah placed at his disposal.