Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Mujahid narrates from Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) that Hazrat Dhul-Qarnayn was a prophet.

Mujahid narrates through another chain that he said: He was the king of the whole earth.

Abu Tufail narrates from Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: You were a righteous man, you expressed goodwill towards Allah, so Allah helped you. Thus, you were struck on the right side of your head and you died, then Allah gave you life. Then you were struck on the left side of your head and you died, then Allah gave you life again. And among you, there are those like him.

Abu Tufail narrates through another chain that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked about Dhu al-Qarnayn, so he replied that he was neither a prophet nor a king, rather he was a righteous servant who was sincere to Allah, so Allah was sincere to him. Thus, he invited his people towards Allah, and he was struck on the right side of his head and died, then Allah brought him back to life. Then he again called his people towards Allah, and again he was struck on the left side of his head and died again, so Allah brought him back to life again. That is why he became famous by the name "Dhu al-Qarnayn."

Habib bin Hammaz reports that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked how Dhul-Qarnayn reached the East and the West. He replied that the clouds were subjected to him, light was spread out for him, and means were expanded for him. Then he said, "Shall I tell you more?" He replied, "That is sufficient."

Mujahid says that there have only been four kings over the entire earth: two were Muslims and two were disbelievers. The Muslims were Prophet Sulaiman son of Dawud and Dhul-Qarnayn, and the disbelievers were Nebuchadnezzar and the one who disputed with Ibrahim (peace be upon him) about his Lord.