ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Muslims believed that this passage speaks of Alexander the Great, that he was a devout Muslim and that he lived to a ripe old age. Historical records, however, show that he died young at age 33 (356 B.C. - 323 B.C.), believe that he was divine, and that he forced others to recognize him as divine. In India, he erected 12 altars to 12 Olympian gods on the Hyphasis River (now called Beas), see also SUN.
Recommended reading:
- Three chapters of the book "The Qur'an: Is It A Miracle?" deal with the Alexander legends in the Qur'an:
The Gate, Zul-Qarnain, Zul-Qarnain and the Sun - Alexander the Great, a Muslim?
- Pseudo-Callisthenes, Dhul-Qarnayn & Alexander The Great
- Zul-Qarnain and the Setting Sun in Sura 18:85-86