The People of the Ditch (Ashab al-Ukhdud): Patience for the Sake of Faith

The People of the Ditch were a community of believers tested with trenches filled with blazing fire because of their faith. A tyrannical ruler wanted everyone to submit to his order and false deities, and he was disturbed by the call to monotheism. But the believers refused to abandon the words: “Our Lord is Allah.” So the oppressors dug deep trenches, lit roaring flames, and forced the people to choose: “Renounce your faith, or be thrown into the fire.” The Qur’an praises those who remained firm in their faith and warns of severe punishment for those who filled the trenches and committed the oppression.