Table Of Contents

Meet the Key Figures in Surah Buruj: Roles, Significance & Takeaways

This Character Compendium provides a definitive resource on the key archetypes and powerful symbols within Surah Al-Buruj, the 85th chapter of the Holy Qur’an. A powerful Makkan Surah, its name, “The Constellations,” is derived from its majestic opening oath sworn by the heavens, affirming the certainty of the Day of Judgment. The chapter’s core is the moving and inspiring story of the “Companions of the Ditch” (Ashab al-Ukhdud), a community of believers who chose to be martyred in a trench of fire rather than renounce their faith. Their story serves as a profound source of solace for all persecuted believers and a stern warning to all tyrants. The Surah contrasts the terrible fate of the persecutors with the great success of the believers, and concludes by affirming the glorious and protected nature of the Qur’an. Each character card delves into the specific portrayal of these figures and concepts, extracting the timeless lessons on steadfastness, divine justice, and the ultimate triumph of faith.

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Al-‘Arsh al-Majid (The Glorious Throne)

Brief Biography / Background

The ‘Arsh, the Divine Throne, is the greatest of all of Allah’s creations, a symbol of His absolute sovereignty, majesty, and authority over the entire universe. In this Surah, it is described with the attribute “al-Majid,” meaning The Glorious, The Majestic, The Noble.

Role in the Surah

The Glorious Throne is mentioned as part of the description of the Lord who is being witnessed. He is identified as **”Owner of the Throne, the Glorious.”** (Al-Buruj, 85:15). This attribute emphasizes the immense majesty and honor of the one true God, in whom the Companions of the Ditch believed.

Personality & Attributes

The Glorious Throne is the ultimate archetype of **divine majesty, sovereignty, and absolute authority**. It is the cosmic seat of the King of all kings. Its glorious nature is a reflection of the glorious nature of its Owner. It is the ultimate symbol of the power that the persecutors foolishly challenged.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must have a profound sense of awe for the majesty and grandeur of Allah’s kingdom.
• The Throne is a real creation, and its mention should increase a believer’s humility and their glorification of God.
• The believers who were martyred were not dying for a weak cause; they were dying for the Lord of the Glorious Throne, the ultimate and victorious King.

Supporting References

The Qur’an mentions the Throne in several places, always in the context of Allah’s ultimate power and authority. Its mention here, in the context of the struggle between the weak believers and the powerful tyrant, is a powerful reminder of where the true power and glory lie. The tyrant’s throne is temporary and contemptible, while the Throne of Allah is eternal and glorious.

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Al-Buruj (The Constellations)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Buruj, The Constellations or The Great Stars, are the massive stellar formations in the sky. The Surah is named after them, following the majestic divine oath sworn by the heavens containing them at the very beginning.

Role in the Surah

The Surah opens with a divine oath by the sky containing these great constellations: “By the heaven containing great stars…” (Al-Buruj, 85:1). Their role is to be the first great witness in a series of oaths that affirm the certainty of the Promised Day and the events that will unfold. They represent the majesty, order, and vastness of the cosmic creation.

Personality & Attributes

The Constellations are the archetype of **majesty, cosmic order, and a divine sign**. They are a symbol of the immense and awesome power of the Creator. By swearing by them, Allah gives the message that follows a sense of cosmic weight and certainty.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer should reflect on the vastness and the perfect order of the cosmos and see in it a sign of the power and wisdom of the Creator.
• The Qur’an uses oaths by mighty creations to draw the listener’s attention to the immense gravity and certainty of the statement that follows.
• Just as the constellations are a certain and undeniable reality in the sky, so too is the Promised Day a certain and undeniable reality in the future.

Supporting References

The oath by the Buruj is a powerful opening. It immediately lifts the reader’s gaze from the petty struggles of the earth to the majestic and unchanging order of the heavens. This sets the stage for the Surah’s message, which is to view our worldly trials from the eternal perspective of the Lord of the Constellations.

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Al-Kuffar (The Disbelievers)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Kuffar, the disbelievers, are those who reject the truth of Allah’s Oneness and deny the message of His messengers. In this Surah, they are the arrogant persecutors who are in a state of constant denial and opposition to the truth.

Role in the Surah

The disbelievers are the ones who persecute the believing men and women. They are the ones who are warned of the punishment of Hellfire. They are the ones who are in a state of constant “takdhib” (denial). Their power is contrasted with the all-encompassing power of Allah. “But they who disbelieve are in denial, while Allah encompasses them from behind.” (85:19-20).

Personality & Attributes

The Disbelievers are characterized by their **arrogance, their cruelty, and their ultimate helplessness**. They may think they are powerful and in control, but the Surah reveals that they are completely “encompassed” (muhit) by Allah, unable to escape His knowledge or His power. They are the ultimate prisoners of the divine decree.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The path of disbelief is a path of denial that leads to a terrible end.
• A believer should not be intimidated by the apparent power of the disbelievers, knowing that they are completely encompassed by the power of Allah.
• The ultimate fate of the disbelievers is one of profound and eternal loss.

Supporting References

The image of Allah “encompassing them from behind” is a powerful one. It suggests that while they are busy looking forward and plotting their evil schemes, Allah’s power is already behind them, surrounding them, making their escape impossible. It is a statement of their complete and utter checkmate in the cosmic game.

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Allah (The Forgiving, The Loving)

Brief Biography / Background

Allah is the proper name for the One, True God. In this Surah, He is presented as the All-Mighty, the Praiseworthy, the ultimate Witness, and with two particularly beautiful and intimate names: Al-Ghafur (The All-Forgiving) and Al-Wadud (The All-Loving).

Role in the Surah

Allah is the ultimate authority and actor in the Surah. He is the one by whose cosmic creations the opening oath is sworn. He is the one in whom the Companions of the Ditch believed. He is the ultimate Witness over all things. He is the Lord of the Glorious Throne. He is the “Effective Doer of what He intends.” The Surah concludes by describing Him as the one who is both All-Forgiving and All-Loving, a profound message of hope.

Personality & Attributes

This Surah magnificently illustrates Allah’s attributes:

• Al-‘Aziz al-Hamid (The Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy): The one in whom the martyrs believed.
• Al-Ghafur al-Wadud (The All-Forgiving, the All-Loving): The one to whom the repentant can turn.
• Ash-Shahid (The Witness): “And Allah, over all things, is Witness.” (85:9).
• Fa”alun lima yurid (The Doer of what He intends): His will is absolute and is never frustrated.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must have a firm and balanced understanding of Allah’s attributes, recognizing both His mighty power and His loving mercy.
• The love of Allah (Al-Wadud) is a profound and beautiful reality that is the ultimate goal for the believer.
• The forgiveness of Allah is always available for those who repent from their sins, even the great sin of persecuting the believers.

Supporting References

The pairing of Al-Ghafur and Al-Wadud is a source of immense hope. It shows that His forgiveness is not a cold, legalistic pardon, but is a forgiveness that is born from a state of pure and selfless love for His servants. To be forgiven by Allah is to be brought into the embrace of the All-Loving.

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Al-Ukhdud (The Ditch)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Ukhdud, The Ditch, refers to the great trench that was dug by a tyrannical king and his soldiers. It was filled with fuel and set ablaze to become a massive instrument of execution for the believers of that land.

Role in the Surah

The Ditch is the central and horrifying stage for the Surah’s main narrative. It is the place of the great martyrdom. The Surah opens its story by cursing the makers of the ditch: “Cursed were the companions of the trench [containing] the fire full of fuel…” (Al-Buruj, 85:4-5). It is the symbol of the ultimate worldly cruelty and the ultimate test of faith.

Personality & Attributes

The Ditch is the archetype of **brutal persecution and a fiery trial**. It is a symbol of the immense and cruel power of the tyrant. It is also, however, the gateway to Paradise for the believers who were thrown into it. It is the place where their apparent physical defeat became their ultimate spiritual victory.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The path of faith can be a path of extreme and difficult trials.
• A believer must be willing to endure the “fire” of this world to be saved from the fire of the next.
• The story of the Ditch is a timeless warning to all persecutors that their cruelty is a cursed act in the sight of God.

Supporting References

The story of the Ditch is a profound lesson in the nature of victory. The believers were physically destroyed, but their story is immortalized in the Qur’an as a great triumph. The king and his soldiers were physically victorious on that day, but they are cursed by Allah for all time. It is a powerful reorientation of what it means to truly win or lose.

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The Arrogant Denier

Brief Biography / Background

The Arrogant Denier is the archetype of the disbeliever who not only rejects the truth but does so with a sense of pride and mockery. This character is represented by the Companions of the Ditch (the persecutors) and the disbelievers of Makkah.

Role in the Surah

This character’s arrogance is the root cause of their cruelty and their disbelief. They are the ones who sit by the fire and “witness what they were doing to the believers.” They are the ones who are in a state of constant “takdhib” (denial). The Surah warns them that they are completely surrounded by the power of Allah, making their arrogance a foolish delusion.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype is characterized by **pride, cruelty, and spiritual blindness**. They are so deluded by their own power that they cannot see the greater power of the Lord of the Throne. Their denial is not based on a lack of evidence, but on a spiritual disease of the heart.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Arrogance is the greatest barrier to guidance and is the root cause of the greatest of sins, including persecution.
• A believer must avoid the path of the arrogant denier and instead approach the divine message with a heart of humility.
• The ultimate end of all arrogant deniers is one of humiliation and failure.

Supporting References

The stories of Fir’awn and Thamud are mentioned as a direct historical proof against the arrogant deniers of Makkah. It is a warning to them that their current state of denial and arrogance is the same state that led to the complete destruction of the mighty empires of the past.

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Ashab al-Ukhdud (The Companions of the Ditch)

Brief Biography / Background

The Ashab al-Ukhdud, or Companions of the Ditch, were a group of believers from a past nation who were systematically martyred by a tyrannical king. They were given a choice between renouncing their faith in the One God and being thrown into a great trench that had been filled with a raging fire.

Role in the Surah

Their story is the central historical narrative of the Surah, presented as a powerful example of the persecution faced by believers and the ultimate triumph of faith. They are the ones for whom the persecutors “did not resent them except because they believed in Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy.” (Al-Buruj, 85:8). Their role is to be the ultimate martyrs, whose suffering was witnessed by their arrogant persecutors, and whose steadfastness is a timeless model of courage.

Personality & Attributes

They are the ultimate archetype of the **steadfast and courageous martyr**. They are characterized by their unwavering faith, their willingness to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their belief, and their profound understanding of true success. Their only “crime” was their pure monotheism.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must be willing to endure the greatest of hardships for the sake of their faith.
• The story of the Companions of the Ditch is a source of immense solace and strength for any believer facing persecution.
• True victory is not in surviving in this world, but in dying upon the truth and earning the pleasure of Allah.

Supporting References

Tafsir literature and the Seerah connect this story to various historical accounts, the most famous being the story of the Christian king of Yemen, Dhu Nuwas, who persecuted the true monotheists of Najran. The story of “the boy and the king” is also seen as a detailed narrative illustration of this Qur’anic account. The core lesson is always the same: the triumph of faith over tyranny, even in apparent physical defeat.

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The Believers (Al-Mu’minun)

Brief Biography / Background

The Believers are those who have sincere faith in Allah and live a life of righteousness. In this Surah, they are represented by the martyred “Companions of the Ditch” and by the persecuted community of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Makkah.

Role in the Surah

The believers are the heroes of the Surah. They are the ones who are persecuted for no reason other than their belief in the “Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy.” Their ultimate reward is promised with clarity and beauty: “Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great attainment.” (Al-Buruj, 85:11).

Personality & Attributes

The Believers are the archetype of the **patient, the steadfast, and the ultimately triumphant**. They are characterized by their unwavering faith even in the face of death. They are the ones who understand that the temporary torment of this world is nothing compared to the eternal bliss of the next. They are the winners of “the great success.”

Major Lessons & Morals

• The path of faith is often a path of trial and persecution.
• A believer should remain steadfast upon their faith, no matter the cost, knowing that the ultimate reward of Paradise is guaranteed.
• The ultimate success is not measured by the standards of this world, but by the attainment of the Gardens in the Hereafter.

Supporting References

The Surah is a source of immense comfort and solace for all believers who face hardship. It frames their struggle within the heroic context of the Companions of the Ditch and assures them that their patience will be rewarded with the “great attainment,” the ultimate and final victory.

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The Believing Men and Women

Brief Biography / Background

This is a specific and inclusive address to the entire community of believers, making it clear that the trials of faith and the rewards of Paradise apply equally to both genders. It highlights the Qur’an’s balanced and just view of men and women’s spiritual potential.

Role in the Surah

The believing men and women are mentioned as the victims of the great persecution of the Companions of the Ditch. The persecutors are condemned for their crime: “Indeed, those who persecuted the believing men and believing women and then did not repent…” (Al-Buruj, 85:10).

Personality & Attributes

This group is the archetype of the **persecuted and martyred community**. They are characterized by their shared faith and their shared, steadfast stance in the face of tyranny. The mention of both “men and women” emphasizes the inclusive nature of the believing community and the fact that both genders were equal in their courageous sacrifice.

Major Lessons & Morals

• In Islam, men and women have equal potential to achieve the highest ranks of faith and martyrdom.
• The persecution of any believer, male or female, is a grave crime that invites the wrath of Allah.
• A successful community is one where men and women stand together in their faith and their steadfastness.

Supporting References

The stories from the Seerah and Islamic history are filled with examples of the heroic faith of believing women who stood alongside the men in enduring persecution and torture. This verse is a divine testimony to their equal status in sacrifice and, by extension, their equal status in reward.

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The Creator

Brief Biography / Background

The Creator is an archetype representing Allah in His specific role as the originator of all existence and the one who has the power to recreate. The act of creation is the primary proof of His power and His right to be worshipped.

Role in the Surah

The role of the Creator is to be the one who has the power of both the first creation and the final return. The Surah states: “Indeed, it is He who originates [creation] and repeats.” (Al-Buruj, 85:13). This is presented as a proof of His absolute power and a foundation for the reality of the Day of Judgment.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype represents **absolute, exclusive, and cyclical creative power**. He is Al-Mubdi’ (The Originator) and Al-Mu’id (The Restorer). This power is absolute and is a core aspect of His Lordship. The one who could do it the first time can surely do it the second time.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Reflecting on the reality of the first creation is the most direct path to having certainty in the reality of the second creation (the Resurrection).
• A believer’s faith is grounded in the undeniable reality of a purposeful, not random, universe.
• The power of the Creator is limitless and is not bound by the human perception of what is possible.

Supporting References

This verse is a concise and powerful statement of the Qur’anic argument for the Resurrection. The entire complex universe is the proof of His ability to “originate.” The Resurrection is merely His act of “repeating” what He has already done. For the one who accomplished the first, the second is a simple matter.

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The Dwellers of Paradise

Brief Biography / Background

The Dwellers of Paradise are the righteous believers who are destined for an eternal life of bliss in the Hereafter. They are the ones who believed and did righteous deeds, and whose patience in the face of persecution earned them the “great attainment.”

Role in the Surah

Their final abode is described as the ultimate reward for their faith and steadfastness. “Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great attainment.” (Al-Buruj, 85:11).

Personality & Attributes

This group represents the archetype of the **successful, the saved, and the eternally blessed**. They are the ones who passed the fiery trial of this life and have been granted entry into the cool and peaceful gardens of the next. They are the winners of “al-fawz al-kabir” (the great success).

Major Lessons & Morals

• The ultimate success is to be counted among the Companions of the Garden.
• The path to this success is a clear one: to combine sincere faith with consistent righteous deeds.
• This beautiful promise of Paradise is the ultimate source of comfort and motivation for any believer who is facing persecution.

Supporting References

The Surah powerfully contrasts the two final destinations. The persecutors are promised the “punishment of Hell and the punishment of the Burning Fire.” The persecuted believers are promised the “gardens beneath which rivers flow.” The two outcomes are a perfect reflection of the justice of the Lord of the Throne.

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Fir’awn (Pharaoh)

Brief Biography / Background

Fir’awn, Pharaoh, the king of ancient Egypt, is the ultimate Qur’anic archetype of the arrogant and tyrannical ruler. He was a man so deluded by his worldly power that he oppressed his people and defiantly disobeyed the messenger of Allah, Musa `عليه السلام`.

Role in the Surah

Pharaoh is mentioned as one of the two primary historical examples of a mighty, disbelieving power that was utterly destroyed. His armies are the subject of a divine rhetorical question to the Prophet: “Has there reached you the story of the soldiers – of Pharaoh and Thamud?” (Al-Buruj, 85:17-18). His story serves as a proof that the disbelievers are always encompassed by the power of Allah, no matter how mighty they may seem.

Personality & Attributes

Fir’awn is the embodiment of **extreme arrogance, tyranny, and defiant disobedience**. He is the ultimate example of a powerful ruler whose armies were of no avail against the decree of God. He is a timeless lesson in the futility of rebelling against the Lord of the Worlds.

Major Lessons & Morals

• Arrogance and tyranny are a direct path to a severe and exemplary punishment from Allah.
• No matter how mighty a tyrant’s armies may seem, they are nothing before the power of Allah.
• The story of Pharaoh is a timeless lesson that the end of all oppressors is one of humiliation and failure.

Supporting References

By pairing the story of Pharaoh with the story of Thamud, the Surah provides two powerful examples from different times and places. One was a great, urban, river-based empire (Pharaoh), and the other was a powerful, rock-carving Arab nation (Thamud). The lesson is universal: the divine law of justice applies to all arrogant civilizations, regardless of their culture or their source of power.

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The Fire with Fuel

Brief Biography / Background

The Fire with Fuel is the specific fire of the ditch that was used to martyr the believers. The Qur’an describes it with a specific detail to emphasize its intensity and the premeditated nature of the crime.

Role in the Surah

This is the instrument of the great persecution. The Companions of the Ditch are cursed, the ditch which contained **”the fire full of fuel.”** (Al-Buruj, 85:5). The mention of “al-waqud” (the fuel) signifies that this was not an accidental fire, but one that was deliberately and abundantly fed to make it a raging inferno for the purpose of torturing the believers.

Personality & Attributes

The Fire is the archetype of a **cruel and worldly punishment**. It is a symbol of the ultimate worldly test of faith. It is the tool of the tyrant, but in the divine plan, it becomes the gateway to Paradise for the martyrs.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The path of faith can be a path of extreme and difficult trials.
• A believer must be willing to endure the “fire” of this world to be saved from the fire of the next.
• The story of the Ditch is a timeless warning to all persecutors that their cruelty is a cursed act in the sight of God.

Supporting References

The Surah powerfully contrasts this temporary, fueled fire of the persecutors with the eternal “punishment of the Burning Fire” (adhab al-hariq) that awaits the persecutors themselves. It is a perfect and just reversal. The fire they used as a tool of their tyranny will become the substance of their own eternal abode.

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The Inhabitants of Hell

Brief Biography / Background

The Inhabitants of Hell are those who, due to their disbelief and their persecution of the believers, are destined for the abode of punishment in the Hereafter. They are the “Companions of the Ditch” (the persecutors) and all who follow their path.

Role in the Surah

Their fate is described with a clear and just verdict. They are the ones who persecuted the believers and did not repent. For them is a dual punishment: “…for them is the punishment of Hell, and for them is the punishment of the Burning Fire.” (Al-Buruj, 85:10).

Personality & Attributes

This group represents the archetype of the **eternally punished and the justly recompensed**. They are the ones who chose the path of cruelty and denial, and their final abode is a reflection of their own inner state. They are the ultimate losers in the cosmic struggle.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The punishment of the Hereafter is real, severe, and eternal for those who persecute the believers and die without repentance.
• The justice of Allah is perfect; the tormentors will face a torment that is far greater than the one they inflicted.
• The door of repentance is open, but for those who refuse to enter it, the door of the Fire awaits.

Supporting References

The mention of both the “punishment of Hell” and the “punishment of the Burning Fire” is seen by commentators as an emphasis on the severity and the multifaceted nature of their torment. It is a complete and comprehensive punishment that is the just and fitting consequence of their terrible crime.

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Junud (The Soldiers of Pharaoh and Thamud)

Brief Biography / Background

The Junud, or Soldiers, are the military forces of the great tyrannical powers of the past. In this Surah, this refers specifically to the armies of Pharaoh and the power structure of the people of Thamud.

Role in the Surah

The Soldiers are mentioned in a rhetorical question to the Prophet ﷺ, designed to remind him and the believers of the lessons of history. “Has there reached you the story of the soldiers – of Pharaoh and Thamud?” (Al-Buruj, 85:17-18). Their role is to be the ultimate symbol of worldly might that was utterly defeated by the will of Allah.

Personality & Attributes

The Soldiers are the archetype of **mighty but ultimately helpless worldly power**. They are the instruments of a tyrant’s will. They represent the peak of human military strength in their respective eras, yet they were completely and utterly annihilated by the true owner of all power.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer should never be intimidated by the armies and the apparent strength of the disbelievers.
• History is a proof that the greatest of armies are no match for the decree of Allah.
• The story of these defeated soldiers is a source of strength and certainty for the “soldiers of Allah” (the believers).

Supporting References

The question “Has there reached you the story…?” is a powerful one. It implies that these stories are well-known and their lesson should be self-evident. The Surah is calling on the reader to reflect on these famous historical accounts and to derive the correct conclusion: that the disbelievers are always encompassed by the power of God, and their denial is a futile act.

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Lawh Mahfuz (The Preserved Tablet)

Brief Biography / Background

The Lawh Mahfuz, or Preserved Tablet, is the primordial, celestial source of all divine revelation. It is the master repository of all of Allah’s decrees and knowledge, perfectly preserved and protected from any corruption, alteration, or error.

Role in the Surah

The Preserved Tablet is mentioned as the original and exalted source of the Glorious Qur’an. The Surah concludes with a definitive statement about the nature of the revelation: “But this is a glorious Qur’an, in a Preserved Tablet.” (Al-Buruj, 85:21-22).

Personality & Attributes

The Preserved Tablet is the archetype of the **ultimate source, the master plan, and the unchangeable, eternal knowledge of Allah**. It is “mahfuz” (guarded, preserved, protected), signifying its absolute integrity. It is the perfect and protected source from which all true guidance flows.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The Qur’an is not a human invention but a transcript from a timeless, exalted, and perfectly preserved celestial source.
• This knowledge should give the believer absolute confidence in the authority and the perfect preservation of the Qur’an.
• A believer should approach the Qur’an with a sense of reverence, recognizing its high and heavenly origin.

Supporting References

This final statement is a powerful conclusion to a Surah that began with oaths by the heavens. It brings the theme full circle. The constellations are a sign of the majesty of the Creator, and the Qur’an, originating from the Preserved Tablet, is the majestic and preserved speech of that same Creator. The two are in perfect harmony.

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The Persecutors of the Believers

Brief Biography / Background

The Persecutors of the Believers are the archetype of the arrogant and cruel tyrant who uses their worldly power to torture and kill those who believe in the One God. In this Surah, this refers specifically to the “Companions of the Ditch.”

Role in the Surah

Their role is to be the primary villains of the central narrative. They are the ones who dug the ditch, filled it with fire, and then sat by to watch the believers burn. They are cursed by Allah. The Surah also gives them a final chance, an open door to mercy if they would only take it. “Indeed, those who persecuted the believing men and believing women and then did not repent – for them is the punishment of Hell, and for them is the punishment of the Burning Fire.” (85:10).

Personality & Attributes

The Persecutors are characterized by their **extreme cruelty, their arrogance, and their role as witnesses to their own crime**. They are the epitome of tyranny. Their only motivation for their horrific act was the believers’ faith in the One God.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The persecution of believers for their faith is a grave and cursed sin.
• The mercy of Allah is so vast that the door of repentance is open even to the worst of criminals, if they would only turn back.
• For those who persecute and do not repent, a severe and certain punishment is guaranteed.

Supporting References

The description of them “sitting by it” and being “witnesses to what they were doing to the believers” is a powerful psychological portrait. It shows their cold-hearted and complete detachment from the humanity of their victims. They are not just killers; they are spectators at a festival of torture, a sign of their profound spiritual corruption.

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Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)

Brief Biography / Background

While not mentioned by name, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is the one to whom this Surah was revealed. He and his small community of followers in Makkah were facing intense persecution from the Quraysh, similar in nature, though not in scale, to the persecution faced by the Companions of the Ditch.

Role in the Surah

His role is that of the recipient of this divine message of solace and strength. The entire Surah is a communication to him and his followers, designed to comfort their hearts and to put their own suffering into a broader, historical, and eschatological context. He is the one who is being reminded of the “soldiers of Pharaoh and Thamud” to strengthen his resolve.

Personality & Attributes

As the addressee of the Surah, the Prophet ﷺ is the archetype of the **patient and divinely-consoled messenger**. He is the one who must lead his community through a period of intense trial, armed with the stories of the heroic martyrs of the past and the certainty of the divine promise of Paradise.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The stories of the past are a primary source of strength and solace for a believer who is facing hardship.
• A believer should find comfort in the fact that their struggles are part of a timeless conflict between faith and tyranny.
• The ultimate victory is not in worldly survival, but in steadfastness upon the truth, which is the path to the “great attainment.”

Supporting References

This Surah was a powerful source of comfort for the early Muslims. It taught them that their suffering was not a sign of God’s abandonment, but was in fact a sign that they were on the same path as the honored and beloved martyrs of the past. It reframed their persecution from a tragedy into an honor.

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The Qur’an al-Majid (The Glorious Qur’an)

Brief Biography / Background

The Qur’an al-Majid, the Glorious Qur’an, is a majestic title for the final revelation from Allah. The attribute “Majid” (Glorious, Noble, Honorable) signifies its exalted status, its profound wisdom, and the honor it bestows upon those who follow it.

Role in the Surah

The Glorious Qur’an is presented as the ultimate and final truth that the disbelievers are denying. After refuting them with the lessons of history, the Surah concludes by affirming the nature of the Book they are rejecting. “But this is a glorious Qur’an, in a Preserved Tablet.” (Al-Buruj, 85:21-22).

Personality & Attributes

The Glorious Qur’an is the archetype of **honored, protected, and divine truth**. It is characterized by its glory (“Majid”) and its pure and unchangeable origin (“in a Preserved Tablet”). It is a revelation whose nobility is a reflection of the nobility of its source, the Lord of the Glorious Throne.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The Qur’an is not ordinary speech but is a Glorious Recitation that must be approached with the utmost reverence and respect.
• A believer should have absolute confidence in the divine origin and the perfect preservation of the Qur’an.
• To deny this Glorious Qur’an is the ultimate act of folly and the direct path to ruin.

Supporting References

The conclusion of the Surah provides the final, unanswerable argument. The disbelievers are in a state of “takdhib” (denial). The Surah responds by stating that the object of their denial is not a mere human statement, but a “Qur’an Majid,” a glorious and protected text from the highest of all sources. This makes their denial an act of cosmic, not just local, arrogance.

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The Repentant Believer

Brief Biography / Background

The Repentant Believer is the archetype of the sinner who, after committing a grave sin, turns back to Allah in sincere repentance. In this Surah, this refers hypothetically to the persecutors of the believers.

Role in the Surah

This character is mentioned to highlight the boundless mercy of Allah. Even after describing the horrific crime of the persecutors who burned the believers alive, the Surah immediately opens the door of repentance for them. “Indeed, those who persecuted the believing men and believing women and then did not repent…” (Al-Buruj, 85:10). The implication is that if they *had* repented, even from this monstrous sin, Allah would have forgiven them.

Personality & Attributes

This archetype represents the **recipient of infinite divine mercy**. It is a testament to the fact that no sin is too great to be forgiven, except for the sin of dying upon shirk without repentance. The call to repentance is an open invitation to all wrongdoers.

Major Lessons & Morals

• The mercy of Allah is vast enough to encompass even the greatest of sins, if the sinner is sincere in their repentance.
• A believer should never make another person despair of the mercy of Allah. The door of tawbah is always open.
• The verse also teaches that the primary thing that seals a person’s doom is not the sin itself, but the failure to repent from that sin.

Supporting References

This verse is a profound lesson in the balance between justice and mercy. It confirms a terrible punishment for the unrepentant persecutor, but it simultaneously offers the hope of complete forgiveness for the repentant one. This is a core principle of the Islamic worldview.

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Shahid wa Mashhud (The Witness and The Witnessed)

Brief Biography / Background

Shahid (The Witness) and Mashhud (The Witnessed) are the third object by which Allah swears an oath at the beginning of the Surah. This is a comprehensive and deeply meaningful pair of archetypes, with multiple layers of interpretation.

Role in the Surah

Their role is to be the third witness in the divine oath that affirms the certainty of the Promised Day. “And [by] the witness and what is witnessed…” (Al-Buruj, 85:3).

Personality & Attributes

This pair is the archetype of **universal testimony and ultimate accountability**. The “Witness” can refer to the angels, the prophets, the limbs of a person, or Friday, while the “Witnessed” can refer to the deeds of mankind, the community of the prophet, or the Day of Arafah. In its most comprehensive sense, it refers to all of creation that bears witness, and the Day of Judgment, which is the ultimate witnessed event.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must live with the profound awareness that their entire life is being witnessed by a multitude of witnesses.
• The Day of Judgment will be the greatest of all witnessed events, where all the testimony will be brought forth.
• This understanding should instill a profound sense of God-consciousness and motivate a person to live a life that they would be pleased to have witnessed.

Supporting References

The beauty of this oath is in its comprehensive and multi-layered nature. It encompasses all of history, all of creation, and all of the unseen world in two simple words. It is a powerful testament to the fact that the universe is not a silent, unobserved space, but is a courtroom in which everything is a witness and every action is witnessed, all in preparation for the great Day when the ultimate Witness will judge.

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Thamud

Brief Biography / Background

The people of Thamud were an ancient Arab tribe who were famous for their ability to carve magnificent and secure homes directly into the rock faces of mountains. Prophet Salih (عليه السلام) was sent to them to call them to the worship of the One True God.

Role in the Surah

Thamud is mentioned as the second of the two primary historical examples of a mighty, disbelieving power that was utterly destroyed. Their armies are the subject of a divine rhetorical question: “Has there reached you the story of the soldiers – of Pharaoh and Thamud?” (Al-Buruj, 85:17-18). Their story serves as a proof that the disbelievers are always encompassed by the power of Allah, no matter how mighty they may seem.

Personality & Attributes

Thamud are the archetype of a nation characterized by **arrogance, misplaced trust in their technology, and defiance of a clear sign**. They were proud of their architectural prowess but failed to be grateful to the One who gave them this strength. Their destruction is a testament to the futility of worldly power against the divine decree.

Major Lessons & Morals

• No amount of technological skill or fortified homes can protect a nation from the punishment of Allah.
• The story of Thamud is a permanent warning for those who think they can defy God’s command without consequence.
• Their destruction is a proof of Allah’s justice and His power to annihilate those who persist in defiant wrongdoing.

Supporting References

By pairing the story of Thamud with the story of Pharaoh, the Surah provides two powerful examples from different times and places. One was a powerful, rock-carving Arab nation (Thamud), and the other was a great, urban, river-based empire (Pharaoh). The lesson is universal: the divine law of justice applies to all arrogant civilizations, regardless of their culture or their source of power.

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Al-Yawm al-Maw’ud (The Promised Day)

Brief Biography / Background

Al-Yawm al-Maw’ud, the Promised Day, is one of the definitive names for the Day of Judgment. It is the day that has been promised by Allah through all of His messengers, and its coming is an absolute and unchangeable certainty.

Role in the Surah

The Promised Day is the second object by which Allah swears an oath at the beginning of the Surah. “And [by] the Promised Day…” (Al-Buruj, 85:2). Its role is to be a central witness in the divine oath that affirms the reality of the events of the Hereafter. The entire Surah is a commentary on the events leading up to and on this Promised Day.

Personality & Attributes

The Promised Day is the archetype of **absolute certainty and the fulfillment of the divine promise**. It is characterized by its inevitability. It is the great “maw’ud” (promise) for which all of creation is waiting. It is the ultimate deadline for all of humanity.

Major Lessons & Morals

• A believer must have absolute and unwavering certainty in the reality of the Promised Day.
• The fact that Allah swears an oath *by* this Day is a testament to its immense gravity and certainty.
• A believer should live their life in preparation for this Day, knowing that the promise of their Lord is true.

Supporting References

The opening oaths build a powerful case. The first oath is by a sign in the created world (the constellations). The second oath is by a reality of the future world (the Promised Day). And the third oath is by the witnesses of that day. Together, they create a complete and inescapable picture of the certainty of the final reckoning.