The Pagan Prophet?
The Islamic prophet Dhu al-Qurnayn (He of Two Horns) is traditionally identified with pagan king Alexander the Great. His name comes from coins depicting him as Zeus Ammon, a two-horned pagan god. Hardly a champion of monotheism, here! Dhu al-Qurnayn’s stories from Surat al-Kahf (Q 18:83–102) are also filled with information from Syriac legends like called the Alexander Romance, saying that the sun sets in a pool of murky water in the West.
Surat al-Kahf (Q 18:83–102):
> And they ask you, [O Muḥammad], about Dhul-Qarnayn. Say, "I will recite to you about him a report."
> Indeed, We established him upon the earth, and We gave him from everything a way [i.e., means].
> So he followed a way
> Until, when he reached the setting of the sun [i.e., the west], he found it [as if] setting in a body of dark water, and he found near it a people. We [i.e., Allah] said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, either you punish [them] or else adopt among them [a way of] goodness."
> He said, "As for one who wrongs, we will punish him. Then he will be returned to his Lord, and He will punish him with a terrible punishment [i.e., Hellfire].
> But as for one who believes and does righteousness, he will have a reward of the best [i.e., Paradise], and we [i.e., Dhul-Qarnayn] will speak to him from our command with ease."
> Then he followed a way
> Until, when he came to the rising of the sun [i.e., the east], he found it rising on a people for whom We had not made against it any shield.
> Thus. And We had encompassed [all] that he had in knowledge.
> Then he followed a way.
> Until, when he reached [a pass] between two mountains, he found beside them a people who could hardly understand [his] speech.
> They said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, indeed Gog and Magog are [great] corrupters in the land. So may we assign for you an expenditure that you might make between us and them a barrier?"
> He said, "That in which my Lord has established me is better [than what you offer], but assist me with strength [i.e., manpower]; I will make between you and them a dam.
> Bring me bars of iron" - until, when he had leveled [them] between the two mountain walls, he said, "Blow [with bellows]," until when he had made it [like] fire, he said, "Bring me, that I may pour over it molten copper."
> So they [i.e., Gog and Magog] were unable to pass over it, nor were they able [to effect] in it any penetration.
> [Dhul-Qarnayn] said, "This is a mercy from my Lord; but when the promise of my Lord comes [i.e., approaches], He will make it level, and ever is the promise of my Lord true."
> And We will leave them that day surging over each other, and [then] the Horn will be blown, and We will assemble them in [one] assembly.
> And We will present Hell that Day to the disbelievers, on display -
> Those whose eyes had been within a cover [removed] from My remembrance, and they were not able to hear.
> Then do those who disbelieve think that they can take My servants instead of Me as allies? Indeed, We have prepared Hell for the disbelievers as a lodging.
Now a summary of the The Syriac Legend of Alexander from Kevin van Bladel (present in The Qur'an and Its Historical Context by Gabriel Said Reynolds) is attached.