A083
Surah: 018 - Ayah: 083
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18:83
Dhu'l-Oarnayn and Gog and Magog
Q. 52. What was Dhu'l-Qarnayn's rank? What was the nature of his journey? What type of creatures are Gog and Magog and what is the reality of the Alexandrian Wall? Please explain some important realities in this connection.
A. Dhu'l-Qarnayn was the Imam of his time. His journey, as mentioned in the Qur'an (18:83-98), was spiritual. Thus he had traversed all spiritual stages within himself. (On his journey), by the place where the sun sets (maghrib al-shams) is meant the two physical principles (asl-i iismanH- namely, Natiq and Asas. who are the setting place (maghrib) of the light of knowledge and wisdom. By aynun hami'ah (muddy spring), is meant the personalities of the physical hudud (ranks), namely, the Imam, hujjat and da'I, who are attached to the Natiq and Asas and their chain continues like a fountain.
At this place Hazrat Imam Dhu'l-Qarnayn saw the souls of all the people of the world and God told him about the authority which He had given him over the people of the world.
By the place where the sun was rising (matli- al-shams), is meant the two spiritual principles (asl-i ruhanil namely, the Universal Intellect and the Universal Soul, who are the rising place of the light of knowledge and wisdom. At this place, the exalted Imam saw the huge gathering of the souls and angels upon whom the sun of light was shining without any veil. These were the souls of the people of tawhid (unity).
Gog and Magog have several ta'wils. See also one of my books "Recognition of Imam", Part Three, Keys 14 and 15. Gog and Magog are a kind of souls which spiritually cause harm as well as benefit. However, the harm is temporary and the benefit permanent.
The great cycles, in one respect, are three. One, which has passed long ago, the other is the present one, which is extended to the Resurrection and the third is going to begin after the Resurrection. Thus, Hazrat Imam Dhu'l-Qarnayn saw the souls of three levels related to these three great cycles. The souls of the first level were in the east of the light, who belonged to the cycle which had passed and they had attained the eternal salvation. The souls of the second level belonged to the present period, which he had already seen in the setting place of the sun. And the souls of the third level or Gog and Magog, he saw in a valley which was between the east and the west. The ta'wil of this is that they were receiving guidance neither from the spiritual hp dud nor from the physical hudud. And this was the reason they did not know the language of religion. So, their nature compelled them to come out from their valley and start a great revolution, so that the third great cycle, which belonged to them, may begin in the world. But no work is appropriate before its time, therefore, Hazrat Dhu'l-Qarnayn barred them (from coming out), by erecting a strong wall of spirituality, which is called the Alexandrian Wall.
Sun (shams) of Intellect: one of the names of intellect in the Wise Qur’an is shams or sun. for instance, see in the story of Dhu’l-Qarnayn in verses (18:83-98), Intellect is the sun of the personal world. It should be noted that if there is a sun, there has also to be a universe. Just as the sun is necessary in the material world, so is the sun of Intellect in the personal world. In verse (81:1) is said: “When the sun is folded.” That is, the arif observes not only at the stage of Izrail but also at the place of Intellect that the universe of the soul and Intellect is folded and unfolded repeatedly by God. In this act of God are hidden countless secrets.
AYa'juj wa Ma'juj yat (Inner army)
In verses (18:83-99) study the wisdom-filled story of Hazrat Dhu'l-Qarnayn and Gog and Magog carefully. God had granted him the rank of Imamat and the spiritual kingdom, therefore this entire story is spiritual and full of ta'wil. It will be impossible to give any rational explanation in today's enlightened age if you take these wondrous events only in a literal sense.
This verse has been referred 3 times.