Peace be on you.
1= There are places in Quran where names are mentioned. And there are places where only properties are mentioned for divine wisdom. [Just as example.
[21:86] And remember Ishmael, and Idris, and Dhil-Kifl. All were of the steadfast.
Dhil-Kifl : Note # 2415 @ The Holy Quran ]
2= There is compilation of commentaries of verses of Holy Quran which is based on Ahmadiyya Promised Messiah (a.s.)’s explanations taken from various sources [80+ books +] at alislam.org/quran.
Related to your specific enquiry i.e Did the Ahmadiyya Messiah claim that Cyrus the Great was Dhul Qarnain? ---
A focused gist of his words about Dhul Qarnain (from several pages) and some further details are : He said:
- The Dhul Qarnain in Quran is different than Alexander as some people thought.
- Dhul Qarnain takes part from two centuries [by the very meanings].
- By the teaching of divine revelation, I am Dhul Qarnain. God the Exalted has taught me it is prophesy But meaning related to past are not denied these are about previous and this meaning are about future [i.e. himself]. Holy Quran is not mere story teller But under each of its story there is a prophecy and the story of Dhul Qarnain is prophesy for the era of Promised Messiah.
- Wall is the (metaphoric) wall of arguments, iron slabs mean his followers should make themselves well learned and steadfast, and by fire it is meant that his followers should have fire of love of God, and bronze means hearts which melt by seeing divine signs. Thus his followers should have steadfastness, get colour of fire of love of God and have melted hearts.
- He said: God has opened for me that Promised Messiah is mentioned as Dhul Qarnain.
Thus lesson are, Ahmadiyya Promised Messiah hinted:
a= ‘Alexander is not the man’ and ‘past meanings exist’
b= His emphasis is upon practical aspect of ‘Dhul Qarnain in later days’, the long awaited spiritual reformer and his deliverance of divine message.
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For the historical Dhul Qarnain
=== First Ahmadiyya Khalifah (1908-1914) was of opinion (based on Daniel ch 8, v 34 and 20) that ‘historical Dhul Qarnain’ was any among kings of Media and Persia (Mada and Faras). To him, Gog Magog were nations which were in north of Kashmir Iran and Bukhara… He wrote, wall between Armenia and Azerbaijan was made to stop attacks from these people.
=== Second Ahmadiyya Khalifah, wrote a very long commentary of Chapter 18, and deduced that:
1-It tells that Holy Quran was sent to correct errors crept in previous Books.
2- And it warns those who make son of God.
3-They shall get lot of material progress and they shall also oppose Islam.
4- They were very weak in their own start, they were persecuted but mercy of God had saved them and gave them progress but later they started to make associates of God and leaned towards earth.
5- Muslims are asked when they get progress they should avoid: weakness in worship, more than necessary indulgence in worldly wealth, luxurious life.
6- At that time, Muslims and their brethren people of Books will be like poor and rich brothers. One will be overconfident for his wealth and other will pay attention to God. Eventually wealth will be diminish.
7- Then the changes were mentioned which were foretold to Moses (a.s.) and he was told that one will come to complete the matters with unique excellence.
8- It was told that, at the decline of Christianity, Muslim will get success. Then time will come when Muslims will forget their faith, God will penalize them by giving Christians progress again.
9- And it will be through those nations which were stopped to move towards south and east in earlier times.
10- The great calamity will fall on the world and world will come under two big races or two big principles. Oppression will increase.
11- At that time God will create means to stop these advances. It is pointed that this flood will be stopped again by the people who had stopped the political uprising of Gog Magog in ancient times.
According to second Ahmadiyya Khalifah (r.a.) Holy Quran tells the following properties of Dhul Qarnain
=(1)=
1-He would get revelations or true dreams.
2-He went to west .
3-Then to east.
4-Then to a middle ground, from where Gog Magog were attacking.
The dream of Daniel has given him name ‘dhul qarnain’ (of two horns…..it also means of two centuries) and he is from Media and Persia.
Which king of them was good to get revelation. Isaiah 45, 1-5 tells it was Cyrus…… “I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me” it means he remembered God not by names of God in Torah. He was follower of Prophet Zoroaster……. Righteousness of him is mentioned in history. His enemies loved him too.
“ CHARACTER AND PRAISE OF CYRUS.
Cyrus may be justly considered as the wisest conqueror,and the most accomplished prince to be found in profane history.He was possessed of all the qualities requisite to form a great man ; wisdom, moderation,courage, magnanimity, noble sentiments, a wonderful ability in managing men's tempers and gaining their affections, a thorough knowledge of all the parts of the military art, as far as that age had carried it, a vast extent of genius and capacity for forming, and an equal steadiness and prudence for executing the greatest projects.
It is very common for those heroes, who shine in the field, and make a great figure in the time of action, to make but a very poor one upon other occasions, and in matters of a different nature. We are astonished when we see them alone and without their armies, to find what a difference there is between a general and a great man ; to see what low sentiments and mean things they are capable of in private life ; how they are influenced by jealousy, and governed by interest; how disagreeable and odious they render themselves by their haughty deportment and arrogance, which they think necessary to preserve their authority, and which only serve to make them hated and despised.
Cyrus had none of these defects. He appeared always the same, that is, always great, even in the most indifferent matters. Being assured of his greatness, of which real merit was the foundation and support, he thought of nothing more than…”
Source: The ancient history of the Egyptians, Carthaginians, Assyrians ..., Volume 2
By Charles Rollin
It is true that world “gods” is mentioned in his talks in above book. But It may have many reason, wrong translations or any other thing.
BUT
“The monotheism of Cyrus can be proved from the tribute paid to him in the Old Testament (Isaiah 45:1–5). It is impossible to conceive "the God of Israel" to have praised Cyrus in such high terms if he were a dualist.Thus spoke prophet Isaiahas:
"Thus says the LORD to His anointed,
To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held—
To subdue nations before him
And loose the armor of kings,
To open before him the double doors,
So that the gates will not be shut:
'I will go before you
And make the crooked places straight;
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze
And cut the bars of iron.
I will give you the treasures of darkness
And hidden riches of secret places,
That you may know that I, the LORD,
Who callyouby your name,
Amthe God of Israel.
For Jacob My servant's sake,
And Israel My elect,
I have even called you by your name;
I have named you, though you have not known Me.
I am the LORD, andthereis no other;
There is no God besides Me..."1
Cyrus the great is also remembered in the Cyrus legend as a tolerant and ideal monarch who was called 'father of his people' by the ancient Persians. In the Bible an outstanding homage is paid to him as the liberator of the Jews captive in Babylonia.
In short, the figure of Cyrus has survived throughout history as a man of exceptional qualities. He built a vast empire the like of which was seldom created by other warriors of heroic fame. Among the emperors, he is the only one who escaped censure by all the historians who ever wrote about great men of history. None could ever find a speck of a blemish in his character as a man or in his conduct as a monarch. He became the epitome of the greatest qualities expected of a ruler. In wars he was bold and dauntless, in conquest magnanimous. His unshakeable belief in the Unity of God must have sprung from Zoroasterashimself.
Zoroastrianism in all its features is closest to Judaism and Islam. Hence its precept of goodness and evil, light and darkness had to be the same as it was in Judaism and Islam. 'Ahraman' is very likely therefore, another name for Satan and no more. ” @
Zoroastrianism
Beware of false translation of Cyrus Cylinder: “The false translation has been widely circulated; alluding to its claim that Cyrus supposedly has stated that "Every country shall decide for itself whether or not it wants my leadership."[38]……..”
Source: Cyrus Cylinder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
=(2)=
Holy Quran tell that Dhul Qarnain’s victories started from west first…..He reached to place where sun was setting in murky water. It is Black Sea. History tells so.
=(3)=
Holy Quran tells Then he went to east, his empire spread to Afghanistan, Samarkand Bukhara. Proven from history too.
=(4)=
Holy Quran tells that he went to middle ground and made wall……Bible tells that people of north were Gog Magog. It also tells a king of Persia will fight with them to liberate Persia. Ezekiel 38……..Historian Josephus writes that they were Scythians tribe people. …….Historian Herodotus writes about Scythians attack from northern countries to southern countries.
Derbent wall is in the way.
Did Cyrus made Derbent Wall it?
1-Alexander could not have made it as he remained busy in subduing rebellions and he could not have time to make such great thing. 2-Indication available:
a- Dara, who was king after the son of Cyrus, attacked Scythians to break their strength. He went through Greece and attacked from Europe….. Scythians were living in north near his country, why he took long route?.....It can be guessed that because Cyrus had earlier made a wall near Derbent, it was not feasible to take large army from gates and wall was not broken too.
b-If wall did not exist before, Dara could not have gone 1000 miles far to attack Scythians. There was danger, as they had gone far, Scythians could have attacked from sides quickly.
==> Thus historical Dhul Qarnain is Cyrus.
==> And more importantly it is prophesy for later days’ spiritual reformer, Promised Messiah Mahdi – Who was granted two main titles in accordance with word Dul Qarnain (of two horns) and he saw two the times of two centuries from all calenders.
Hope it suffices. Good wishes.
