The Fourth Matter
The Fourth Matter
The Barrier of Dhu'l-Qarnayn [^36]
[^36]:Dhu'l-Qarnayn, the two-horned one, mentioned in Qur'an 18:83-98. Below the author disagrees with the view that it refers to Alexander the Great of Macedon (356-323 BC).
You know that it is one thing to know something exists and another to know its nature and what it is. Also, a single proposition comprises numerous assumptions. Some of them are necessary, and some are theoretical and controversial. Furthermore, it is well-known that if an obstinate, imitative man asks someone about something he sees in a book in order to test him, although it may have been somewhat falsified, and the second man answers in accordance with what the first man knows, which is unexpressed; his reply is right in two respects. If he replies directly, or he gives an answer that conforms to what the obstinate questioner knows, either explicitly or interpreting it, both are right. That is to say, one answer both satisfies reality, because it is true; and it convinces the questioner, because even it is not what was intended, it conforms with what he knows. It does not offend the context either, because it inserts a spark of life into the answer from which the original intention will draw life.
The Qur'an's answers are thus, so from now on we shall distinguish between the necessary [belief in which is obligatory] and the unnecessary [belief in which is not obligatory]. Thus, the matters in the Qur'an's answer belief in which is understood to be obligatory may not be denied. It is like this: Dhu'l-Qarnayn was a person whose existence is corroborated by God. Under his direction and guidance a barrier was constructed between two mountains in order to repel the incursions of brigands and nomads. Gog and Magog were two raiding tribes. At the divine command, the barrier will be destroyed. And so on. According to this analogy, belief in the Qur'an's statements referring to him is compulsory. Not even a letter of them may be denied. However, the Qur'an makes no defining or specific statement concerning the nature of those subjects and