He then followed (another) road
He again pursued a purpose.
Then he followed a way
And once again he chose the right means [to achieve a right end].
Thereafter he followed a way.
Then he followed another way,
Then he pursued a course.
Then he set out on another expedition
Then he followed (another) way,
Then he followed a road
Thereafter he directed another means.
Then he followed the road,
Then he followed a way
He travelled again
Then he followed (another) course.
Thumma atbaAAa sabab<u>a</u><b>n</b>
Then he followed yet another path,
Then followed he (another) way,
ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَ سَبَبًا
Then he took a path different to his first route, heading towards the direction of the sunrise.
Then he took a path different to his first route, heading towards the direction of the sunrise.
<p>Commentary</p><p>The Holy Qur'an does describe this state of the people Dhul-Qarnain found living towards the East meaning thereby that they were not accustomed to the use of ways and means like houses, tents and dresses to seek protection against the Sun. But, it does not mention anything about their faith and deeds, nor does it say what Dhul-Qarnain did to them.</p><p>However, it is obvious that these people too were infidels and Dhul-Qarnain handled them the way he had handled the people he had found in the West as mentioned earlier. But, describing it again at this place was not considered necessary since finding it out is also possible on the analogy of the previous event. (As in al-Bahr al-Muhit from Ibn Atiyyah)</p>
CommentaryThe Holy Qur'an does describe this state of the people Dhul-Qarnain found living towards the East meaning thereby that they were not accustomed to the use of ways and means like houses, tents and dresses to seek protection against the Sun. But, it does not mention anything about their faith and deeds, nor does it say what Dhul-Qarnain did to them.However, it is obvious that these people too were infidels and Dhul-Qarnain handled them the way he had handled the people he had found in the West as mentioned earlier. But, describing it again at this place was not considered necessary since finding it out is also possible on the analogy of the previous event. (As in al-Bahr al-Muhit from Ibn Atiyyah)
<h2 class="title">His Journey East</h2><p>Allah tells us that Dhul-Qarnayn then traveled from the west of the earth towards the east. Every time he passed a nation, he subjugated the people and called them to Allah. If they obeyed him, all well and good, otherwise he would humiliate them and take their wealth and possessions. From every nation he took what his armies needed to fight the next nation. When he reached the place where the sun rises, as Allah says,</p><div class="text_uthmani arabic">وَجَدَهَا تَطْلُعُ عَلَى قَوْمٍ</div><p>(he found it rising on a people) meaning a nation,</p><div class="text_uthmani arabic">لَّمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُمْ مِّن دُونِهَا سِتْراً</div><p>(for whom We (Allah) had provided no shelter against the sun.) meaning, they had no buildings or trees to cover them and shade them from the heat of the sun. Qatadah said, "It was mentioned to us that they were in a land where nothing grew, so when the sun rose they would go into tunnels until it had passed its zenith, then they would come out to go about their daily lives and earn themselves a living."</p><div class="text_uthmani arabic">كَذَلِكَ وَقَدْ أَحَطْنَا بِمَا لَدَيْهِ خُبْراً </div><p>(So (it was)! And We knew all about him.) Mujahid and As-Suddi said, "This means that Allah knew everything about him and his army, and nothing was hidden from Him, even though they came from so many different nations and lands. For,</p><div class="text_uthmani arabic">لاَ يَخْفَى عَلَيْهِ شَىْءٌ فِي الاٌّرْضِ وَلاَ فِى السَّمَآءِ</div><p>(Truly, nothing is hidden from Allah, in the earth or in the heaven.)3:5"</p>
His Journey EastAllah tells us that Dhul-Qarnayn then traveled from the west of the earth towards the east. Every time he passed a nation, he subjugated the people and called them to Allah. If they obeyed him, all well and good, otherwise he would humiliate them and take their wealth and possessions. From every nation he took what his armies needed to fight the next nation. When he reached the place where the sun rises, as Allah says,وَجَدَهَا تَطْلُعُ عَلَى قَوْمٍ(he found it rising on a people) meaning a nation,لَّمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُمْ مِّن دُونِهَا سِتْراً(for whom We (Allah) had provided no shelter against the sun.) meaning, they had no buildings or trees to cover them and shade them from the heat of the sun. Qatadah said, "It was mentioned to us that they were in a land where nothing grew, so when the sun rose they would go into tunnels until it had passed its zenith, then they would come out to go about their daily lives and earn themselves a living."كَذَلِكَ وَقَدْ أَحَطْنَا بِمَا لَدَيْهِ خُبْراً (So (it was)! And We knew all about him.) Mujahid and As-Suddi said, "This means that Allah knew everything about him and his army, and nothing was hidden from Him, even though they came from so many different nations and lands. For,لاَ يَخْفَى عَلَيْهِ شَىْءٌ فِي الاٌّرْضِ وَلاَ فِى السَّمَآءِ(Truly, nothing is hidden from Allah, in the earth or in the heaven.)3:5"