Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 34082 — Reports on Dhul-Qarnayn

Sayyiduna Abu al-Tufayl (may Allah be pleased with him) reports through another chain that Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked about Dhu al-Qarnayn, and he said: He was neither a prophet nor a king, but he was a righteous servant who was sincere toward Allah, so Allah dealt sincerely with him. He called his people to Allah and was struck on the right side of his head and he died, and Allah brought him back to life. Then he again called his people to Allah and was struck a second time on the left side of his head and he died again, and Allah brought him back to life again. For this reason he became known by the name "Dhu al-Qarnayn."