The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 295
8. DHULQARNAIN. I will now set out the meanings of the verses in Surah AlKahf which relate the story of Dhulqarnain, and the prophecy they contain about me, of which I have been informed by God Almighty. I do not deny the meaning of these verses which relates to the past, but what has been revealed to me is about the future. . Prophecy about the Promised Messiah in Surah Al-Kahf. The Holy Qur'ān is not a book of old stories. Every event mentioned in it is a prophecy, and the story of Dhulqarnain contains the prophecy about the time of the Promised Messiah. The Holy Qur'an says: وَيَسْعَلُونَكَ عَن ذِي الْقَرْنَيْنِ ، قُلْ سَاتْلُوا عَلَيْكُمْ مِّنْهُ ذِكْرًا 209 'They enquire from thee about Dhulqarnain. Tell them that for the moment I shall relate to only you a little about him. ' Then it says: إِنَّا مَكَنَّا لَهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ أَتَيْنَهُ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ سَبَبًا 210 'We shall establish him on earth, i. e. , the Promised Messiah, who will also be known as Dhulqarnain, in such a way that no one will be able to harm him; and We shall provide him with all the means for achieving his purpose and shall make everything easy and plain for him. ' 209. Al-Kahf, 18:84 [Publisher] 210. Al-Kahf, 18:85 [Publisher]