Tafsir from Tafsir Ibn Kathir
Surah Al-Buruj is a Makkan surah. It speaks about the persecution of the believers, the fate of those who oppress them, and the power and justice of Allah. The surah reminds people that Allah sees everything and that the believers who remain firm upon their faith will receive a great reward in the Hereafter.
The Oaths at the Beginning of the Surah (Verses 1–3)
Allah says:
“By the heaven holding the Buruj.
And by the Promised Day.
And by the Witness and by the Witnessed.”
(Qur’an 85:1–3)
Explanation
Ibn Kathir explains that “the Promised Day” refers to the Day of Judgment. The Prophet said that the Promised Day is the Day of Resurrection.
The “Witness” refers to Friday, and the “Witnessed” refers to the Day of Arafah.
The Story of the People of the Ditch (Verses 4–9)
Allah says:
“Cursed were the People of the Ditch,
of fire fed with fuel,
when they sat by it,
and they witnessed what they were doing against the believers.
And they had no fault except that they believed in Allah, the Almighty, Worthy of all praise.”
(Qur’an 85:4–8)
Explanation
Ibn Kathir explains that the People of the Ditch were disbelievers who persecuted the believers among them. They dug trenches in the ground and filled them with fire.
They then tried to force the believers to abandon their religion. When the believers refused to leave their faith, they threw them into the burning trenches.
The believers were punished only because they believed in Allah, the One who possesses the dominion of the heavens and the earth and who witnesses everything that occurs.
The Story of the Boy, the Monk, and the Sorcerer
The Prophet narrated a story about a king who had a sorcerer. When the sorcerer became old, he asked the king to send him a boy so he could teach him magic.
On the way to the sorcerer, the boy met a monk who taught him about Allah, and the boy believed in Allah. Eventually Allah granted the boy the ability to heal people by His permission.
A courtier of the king who had become blind was cured after believing in Allah. When the king learned this, he became angry and began torturing the believers.
The monk was killed for refusing to abandon his religion. The courtier who had been cured was also killed.
The king then tried to kill the boy many times, but Allah saved him. Finally the boy told the king that he would only be able to kill him if he gathered the people and said:
“In the name of Allah, the Lord of the boy.”
When the king did this and shot him with an arrow, the boy died. The people saw this and proclaimed:
“We believe in the Lord of the boy.”
The king then ordered trenches to be dug and filled with fire. Anyone who refused to abandon their religion was thrown into the fire.
Among them was a woman carrying her baby. When she hesitated, her infant spoke and told her:
“Be patient mother! For verily, you are following the truth!”
The Punishment of Those Who Persecuted the Believers (Verse 10)
Allah says:
“Verily, those who put into trial the believing men and believing women, and then do not turn in repentance, then they will have the torment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the burning Fire.”
(Qur’an 85:10)
Explanation
Ibn Kathir explains that those who persecuted the believers and did not repent for their actions will be punished in Hell.
Al-Hasan al-Basri remarked about this verse that even though these people killed the believers, Allah still invites them to repent and seek forgiveness.
The Reward of the Believers (Verse 11)
Allah says:
“Verily, those who believe and do righteous good deeds, for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow. That is the supreme success.”
(Qur’an 85:11)
Explanation
This verse describes the reward for the believers who remained firm in their faith despite persecution. Their reward is Paradise with flowing rivers, which Allah describes as the greatest success.
Allah’s Power and Attributes (Verses 12–16)
Allah says:
“Verily, the punishment of your Lord is severe and painful.
Verily, He it is Who begins and repeats.
And He is Oft-Forgiving, Al-Wadud.
Owner of the Throne, Al-Majid (the Glorious).
Doer of what He intends.”
(Qur’an 85:12–16)
Explanation
Ibn Kathir explains that Allah has complete power over His creation. He begins creation and will repeat it again on the Day of Resurrection.
Allah is also Al-Wadud, meaning the Loving. He forgives the sins of those who repent to Him and return to Him sincerely.
The Example of Earlier Nations (Verses 17–18)
Allah says:
“Has the story reached you of the hosts,
Of Fir’awn and Thamud”
(Qur’an 85:17–18)
Explanation
These verses remind people of previous nations that rejected the truth. Pharaoh and the people of Thamud denied the messengers and were destroyed by Allah’s punishment.
The Denial of the Disbelievers (Verses 19–22)
Allah says:
“Nay! The disbelievers (persisted) in denying.
And Allah encompasses them from behind!
Nay, this is a Glorious Qur’an,
In Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz!”
(Qur’an 85:19–22)
Explanation
The disbelievers continue to deny the truth, but they cannot escape the power of Allah. The Qur’an is a noble and magnificent revelation that is preserved in Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz, the Preserved Tablet.
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References
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged), English translation, Surah Al-Buruj (85).
Verified on 2026-10-21 against: Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged), Surah Al-Buruj.