قَالَ هَـٰذَا رَحْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّى ۖ فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ رَبِّى جَعَلَهُۥ دَكَّآءَ ۖ وَكَانَ وَعْدُ رَبِّى حَقًّا 98
Translations
[Dhul-Qarnayn] said, "This is a mercy from my Lord; but when the promise of my Lord comes [i.e., approaches], He will make it level, and ever is the promise of my Lord true."
Transliteration
Qala hadha rahmatun min rabbi fa-idha jaa'a wa'du rabbi ja'alahu dakkaa' wa kana wa'du rabbi haqqaa
Tafsir (Explanation)
Dhul-Qarnayn declares that the wall he has built is a mercy from his Lord, and when Allah's promise comes to pass (at the end of times), He will reduce it to dust, for Allah's promise is always true. This ayah emphasizes the temporary nature of all earthly constructions and Allah's ultimate power over all creation. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir note that this reflects Dhul-Qarnayn's humble acknowledgment that his achievement is by Allah's grace, not his own power, and that the wall, despite its strength, will be destroyed when Allah wills it.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs within the narrative of Dhul-Qarnayn (often identified with a historical figure, possibly Alexander the Great or another ancient ruler) and his construction of a wall against Gog and Magog (Ya'juj wa Ma'juj). The surah was revealed in Mecca during the Meccan period, and this passage illustrates divine power, humility before Allah, and the certainty of the Day of Judgment when all worldly achievements will perish.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly comments on this specific ayah, Sunan Ibn Majah and other collections contain hadiths about the release of Gog and Magog near the Hour, which contextualizes the wall's eventual destruction mentioned here.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that all human achievements, no matter how impressive, are temporary gifts from Allah and will ultimately perish; true success lies in acknowledging Allah's sovereignty and ensuring our deeds are done for His pleasure rather than for lasting earthly legacy.
Related Ayahs
يَوْمَ تَشَقَّقُ ٱلْأَرْضُ عَنْهُمْ سِرَاعًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ حَشْرٌ عَلَيْنَا يَسِيرٌ
On the Day the earth breaks away from them [and they emerge] rapidly; that is a gathering easy for Us.
كَيْفَ تَكْفُرُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَكُنتُمْ أَمْوَٰتًا فَأَحْيَـٰكُمْ ۖ ثُمَّ يُمِيتُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُحْيِيكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
How can you disbelieve in Allāh when you were lifeless and He brought you to life; then He will cause you to die, then He will bring you [back] to life, and then to Him you will be returned.
وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بَنَيْنَـٰهَا بِأَيْي۟دٍ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ
And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ ٱلْأَخْضَرِ نَارًا فَإِذَآ أَنتُم مِّنْهُ تُوقِدُونَ
[It is] He who made for you from the green tree, fire, and then from it you ignite.