Salaam all,
I recently gave a presentation to some friends on the “Dhū al-Qarnayn problem” at their request, and after preparing for it I realized this problem is actually mostly solved. So I’ve decided to pause my previous work and focus on writing an article on it, laying out a comprehensive solution that tackles the major problems (the identity of DQ, why does the Qur’anic story resemble the overall narrative framework legend, Gog & Magog and the wall etc). This will be a relatively quick article to write; I’m aiming to have something out in a few months, but I think it should solve all the major questions at least in my mind.
The article won’t be dating the entire legend to a post-Qur’anic era, nor will I make a textual (manuscript) argument as has been done before (IMO unconvincingly). I’ll be working within the framework of the Yaqeen article I wrote earlier. As such, this might be a good case study in how a categorical solution is applied to a particular example in detail.
EDIT: As people keep asking me about this – yes, unfortunately I’ve had to delay working on this. I’m hoping for some time this year (2024) now.
Pondering Islam 
Hadi İnşaALLAH. Bekliyorum.
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Selamun Aleyküm Taha. I’m Oğuzhan (from Turkey). What do you think about the theories of Nicolai Sinai, Stephen J. Shoemaker, and David Marshall? Can you please recommend articles (or books)?
Nicolai Sinai’s ”Inner-Qur’anic Chronology” – in his book The Quran: A Historical-Critical Introduction, 2017.
Stephen J. Shoemaker, The Death of a Prophet The End of Muhammads Life and the Beginnings of Islam, 2012.
David Marshall, God, Muhammad and the Unbelievers, 1990.
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Radically skeptical revisionist orientalists and their speculations and theories are not to be given any thought.
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Fascinating subject. I look forward to reading about it and if you know of any sources I’d appreciate links. But you might be too busy for that. 🙂
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Salaam bro, I have a Youtube channel with same name. Nice coincidence. Really like your wrting. Keep it up!
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Assalamu Alaikum , can you also address the people who say that by time these stories resemble more to the dhul qarnayn narrative, for eg first it’s only about walls built to repel gog Magog built by Alexander (1st century) then after a few centuries it also talks about wall being built between a mountain, then as it gets closer to 7th century it’s more resembling.
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Salamu Alakyum
Any updates on this? Sorry if this has been asked a lot.
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Salamu Alaykum,
Sorry if many people have asked but are there any updates on this?
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Sorry, it’s a while away. I haven’t had time to work on it the last few months due to a lot of life things going on. But I’ve started working on it again, I’d like to finish it this year.
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I read your article from 2020 regarding some reflections, i’m curious about the western ICMA. Do you know of any studies regarding how it’s confirming Islamic history and studies regarding it confirming any miracles?
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Salam, I was wondering in your article if you will also talk about how Josephus first mentioned the wall in first century, Alexander etc, then pseudo- hegissipus mentioned the wall, and then Alexander romance which got even closer, and finally syriac Alexander legend, and will you respond to the accusation that the overall legend got closer and closer from the 1 century to the 7 century?
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Yes the evolution of the story towards the time of the Qur’an will be addressed. It’s not something that affects my argument
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As the founder of r/AcademicQuran and someone who is very interested in the scholarship and intertexts surrounding the story of Dhul Qarnayn, I’m looking forward to reading this article of yours and perhaps giving my thoughts on it.
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