Al-Buruj 85:4–7
The people of the trench
قُتِلَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْأُخْدُودِ ٤ ٱلنَّارِ ذَاتِ ٱلْوَقُودِ ٥ إِذْ هُمْ عَلَيْهَا قُعُودٌۭ ٦ وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَفْعَلُونَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ شُهُودٌۭ ٧
The meaning, simply
Cursed were those who dug a long trench in the ground and lit a great fire in it to torture the believers, and sat around it watching what they did to them.
Meaning from Tafsir Al-Muyassar, simplified for children. Reviewed by Sherif Alkady, 17 October 2026.
Words to understand
- قُتِلَ
- cursed be
- ٱلْأُخْدُودِ
- the trench
- ٱلْوَقُودِ
- fuel
- قُعُودٌۭ
- sitting by it
- شُهُودٌۭ
- watching
Think with me
These believers held on to their faith. What will you never give up, whatever happens?