Surah Al-Kahf 18:94
سُورَةُ الكَهۡفِ · Meccan · Verse 94 of 110
قَالُوا۟ يَٰذَا ٱلْقَرْنَيْنِ إِنَّ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَهَلْ نَجْعَلُ لَكَ خَرْجًا عَلَىٰٓ أَن تَجْعَلَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمْ سَدًّۭا
Translation
They said, ‘Dhu ’l-Qarnayn, Gog and Magog are ruining this land. Will you build a barrier between them and us if we pay you a tribute?’
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
'They said: O Dhul-Qarnayn, Gog and Magog are corrupters in the land. May we pay you a tribute, that you build a barrier between us and them?' al-Saadi and Ibn Kathir note the people's plea, beset by a destructive, overwhelming force, they offer payment to the powerful man for protection they cannot provide themselves. Ask yourself: here are the weak, facing a menace beyond them, turning to strength for shelter, and assuming, as people do, that such help must be bought. It is the transactional view of the world: help comes at a price, protection is purchased. The verse sets up a contrast with how the righteous actually serve. But notice too the honesty of the weak: they name their helplessness and ask for help. Am I willing to admit when a threat is beyond me and to ask for aid, or does pride keep me pretending I can handle the 'Gog and Magog' at my own gates alone?
Grounded in classical tafsir: al-Saadi, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Ashur.
Wording
Let us approach this ayah with humility and reverence, allowing its words to reshape our understanding.
The Desperate Call
The verse opens with the plea of a distressed people to Dhul-Qarnayn, "They said, 'O Dhul-Qarnayn! Indeed, Gog and Magog are corrupting the earth...'" (قَالُوا۟ يَٰذَا ٱلْقَرْنَيْنِ إِنَّ يَأْجُوجَ وَمَأْجُوجَ مُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ). This immediately places us in a scene of urgent need. The address "O Dhul-Qarnayn!" is a direct and desperate call for intervention, signaling his recognized authority and capability. The particle "indeed" (إِنَّ) emphasizes the certainty and gravity of their situation: Gog and Magog are not just *potentially* harmful, but are *presently and habitually* "corrupting the earth" (مُفْسِدُونَ فِي ٱلْأَرْضِ). The use of the active participle "mufsidun" highlights that this corruption is an ongoing, ingrained characteristic of these tribes, not merely an isolated incident. Scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi describe their corruption as widespread, ranging from destroying crops and progeny to killing people, making "mufsidun" a comprehensive term for all forms of destruction.
A Proposed Exchange
Following this stark declaration of danger, the people make a proposition: "So, shall we make for you a payment (kharj) on condition that you make a barrier (saddan) between us and them?" (فَهَلْ نَجْعَلُ لَكَ خَرْجًا عَلَىٰٓ أَن تَجْعَلَ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمْ سَدًّۭا). The interrogative "hal" (فَهَلْ) here is not a simple question, but an earnest offer, indicating their willingness to compensate him for protection. This reflects their deep desire for a solution.
The word "kharj" (خَرْجًا) refers to a payment or recompense. Scholars like al-Razi and Ibn Ashur note a variant reading "kharājًا," and some explain that "kharj" often means a one-time fee for a specific task, while "kharāj" might refer to an annual tax. Regardless, the intent is clear: they are willing to contribute their wealth for their safety. The object of their request is a "sadd" (سَدًّۭا), a barrier. The verb "taja'al" (تَجْعَلَ), meaning "that you make," clarifies that they are asking for a *constructed* barrier, distinct from a natural mountain formation. This specific wording shows their understanding that a physical, man-made structure is needed to contain the destructive force of Gog and Magog.
Through this precise exchange of words, the Quran conveys the urgency, the nature of the threat, and the proposed solution, all through the direct, earnest plea of a people seeking refuge from profound corruption.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Qur'anic Worlds
A Desperate Cry for Help
Our verse, Surah 18:94, takes us deep into the narrative of Dhul-Qarnayn, a righteous and powerful ruler whom Allah had granted dominion and means. This particular moment describes his third great journey, where he arrived between two mountains and encountered a people who struggled to understand other languages (لا يكادون يفقهون قولاً). Despite this communication barrier, possibly overcome by a translator as suggested by al-Baghawi, their distress was clear. They addressed Dhul-Qarnayn with an urgent plea.
The Threat of Ya'juj and Ma'juj
These people were tormented by two powerful and numerous nations, Ya'juj and Ma'juj. As the plain meaning states, they were "mischief-makers on earth" (مفسدون في الأرض), destroying "crops and offspring." Scholars like al-Baghawi and al-Tabari explain this mischief in various ways: some reports speak of them devouring everything green and dry, causing widespread harm and killing. Others suggest they even consumed human flesh. While some commentators believed their destruction was ongoing, al-Tabari also notes that the people's plea might reflect a fear of *future* devastation from Ya'juj and Ma'juj, rather than just past attacks. Mufti Shafi' from Ma'arif al-Quran highlights that these were human nations, descendants of Prophet Nuh, known for their savage, uncivilized, and bloodthirsty nature. Their sheer numbers were staggering, far exceeding the rest of humanity, as noted by Ibn Kathir.
An Offer of Tribute
In their desperation, these people offered Dhul-Qarnayn a payment or reward, (خرجًا or خراجًا), if he would construct a mighty barrier between them and their tormentors. This offer shows their dire situation and their recognition of Dhul-Qarnayn's immense strength and skill. Sayyid Qutb notes that this reflects their understanding of Dhul-Qarnayn as a formidable conqueror with advanced technology, something they themselves lacked the ability to build. This scene from the Quranic World of past nations paints a vivid picture of human suffering and the yearning for peace and security, setting the stage for Dhul-Qarnayn's divinely inspired response.
Sources: al-Tabari (Jami al-Bayan), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), Ibn Kathir, al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb)
Worldly Mirror
This verse opens with a plea from a desperate community to the powerful and just leader, Dhul-Qarnayn. It paints a vivid picture of a people suffering under the relentless oppression of two groups, Yajuj and Majuj.
The People's Distress
The community approaches Dhul-Qarnayn with the urgent cry, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, indeed Yajuj and Majuj are mufsidoona fil-ard (causing corruption in the land)." This phrase, "mufsidoona fil-ard," is central here. Scholars like Ibn al-Jawzi describe this corruption in various ways: some say they engaged in acts like the people of Lot, others that they consumed human beings, while some noted they would emerge in springtime, devouring all green vegetation and carrying off anything dry to their own lands, or simply that they murdered people. Wahba al-Zuhayli explains it as "plunder, rebellion, killing, and destruction." Regardless of the specific manifestation, the core message is that Yajuj and Majuj were a destructive force, preying on and devastating the lands and lives of these vulnerable people. Their plea, "will you accept a payment from us to construct a barrier between us and them?", underscores their desperation and their willingness to sacrifice their wealth for peace and protection.
Lessons in Leadership and Community
This exchange reflects important dynamics in society. From the community's perspective, it highlights a universal human experience: when faced with overwhelming threats and corruption that they cannot combat alone, people seek powerful and just leadership for protection. Their offer of "kharj" (a payment or tribute) shows their sincere desire for a solution, even at a cost.
For leaders, the verse emphasizes a vital responsibility. Dhul-Qarnayn's subsequent response (in the following verses) to decline their payment and offer to build the barrier out of his God-given resources, asking only for their physical assistance, sets an example of righteous governance. As Sayyid Qutb notes, Dhul-Qarnayn was a "salih ruler," whose mission was to eliminate oppression and corruption. This teaches that true leadership is not about personal gain but about serving the people and eradicating mischief, often requiring the mobilization of collective effort.
Reflecting on Modern-Day Corruption
The narrative of Yajuj and Majuj and their "corruption in the land" serves as a powerful mirror for us today. While the literal emergence of Yajuj and Majuj is a sign of the Last Hour, the *pattern* of their destructive behavior can be observed throughout history and in contemporary society. Dr. Israr Ahmad reflects on how this can be seen in the rise of powerful entities that exploit and plunder weaker nations, whether through direct conquest (like historical colonial powers) or through indirect control (such as economic institutions that perpetuate dependency). Al-Munir points to the devastation caused by the Mongol invasions as another historical parallel to such destructive forces.
This lens invites us to reflect on the various forms of "فساد" (corruption) we witness globally and in our communities today: unchecked greed, systemic injustice, environmental destruction, or any force that exploits the vulnerable and undermines well-being. It prompts us to consider our own roles, both as individuals and as communities, in seeking and upholding justice, supporting righteous leadership, and actively working to counter corruption in all its forms, drawing strength from the Quran's timeless guidance.
Sources: Israr Ahmad (Bayan ul Quran), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), Tazkirul Quran, Ibn al-Jawzi (Zad al-Masir), al-Munir (Wahba al-Zuhayli)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Kahf 18:94 is discussed in 13 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Kahf 18:94 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.