ءَاتُونِى زُبَرَ ٱلْحَدِيدِ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا سَاوَىٰ بَيْنَ ٱلصَّدَفَيْنِ قَالَ ٱنفُخُوا۟ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَعَلَهُۥ نَارًا قَالَ ءَاتُونِىٓ أُفْرِغْ عَلَيْهِ قِطْرًا 96
Translations
Bring me bars of iron" - until, when he had leveled [them] between the two mountain walls, he said, "Blow [with bellows]," until when he had made it [like] fire, he said, "Bring me, that I may pour over it molten copper."
Transliteration
Ātūnī zubara al-ḥadīd, ḥattā idhā sāwā bayna aṣ-ṣadafayn qāla infukhū, ḥattā idhā jaʿalahu nāran qāla ātūnī ufraigh ʿalayhi qiṭran
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes Dhul-Qarnayn's command to his workers to bring him pieces of iron to construct the wall against Yajuj and Majuj. He instructs them to pile the iron between two mountain cliffs until the gap is filled, then to heat it with fire until it becomes molten. Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain that he then requests molten copper (qiṭr) to be poured over the heated iron, creating an impenetrable barrier. This demonstrates human ingenuity and effort combined with divine permission, illustrating the principle that Allah grants knowledge and capability to those He wills.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative of Dhul-Qarnayn (18:83-98), a figure mentioned in the Quran who built a wall to protect peoples from Yajuj and Majuj. The surah was revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period. This account appears in response to questions posed to the Prophet ﷺ by the Meccan disbelievers, serving as a demonstration of divine knowledge and power over construction, nations, and geological phenomena.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Bukhari (4726): The Prophet ﷺ mentioned that the wall of Dhul-Qarnayn will be breached on the Day of Judgment when Yajuj and Majuj are released. Additionally, hadith collections contain discussions about Dhul-Qarnayn's identity, with some scholars identifying him with the historical figure Alexander the Great, though this remains debated among Islamic scholars.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that while humans possess knowledge, skill, and ability to accomplish great works, all success ultimately comes from Allah's permission and guidance. Modern readers should recognize that combining sincere effort with reliance on Allah, utilizing available resources wisely, and working collectively toward noble purposes are Islamic principles worthy of emulation.