The Legend of Najran aka "People of the Ditch"

 The legendary narrative you are referring to is the historic and religious account of the Martyrs of Najran, also widely recognized in Islamic tradition as the People of the Ditch (Ashab al-Ukhdud). [1]

The Legend of Najran

This tragic event took place around 523 AD in the ancient city of Najran (located in modern-day Saudi Arabia near the Yemen border). The region was home to a massive community of Christians. [1]

A Himyarite king named Dhu Nuwas converted to Judaism and aggressively sought to enforce his new religion across the kingdom. When he marched on Najran, he demanded that the local Christian population renounce their faith or face death. [1]

When the townspeople staunchly refused to apostatize, Dhu Nuwas ordered his soldiers to dig massive trenches or ditches throughout the area. These trenches were filled with highly flammable fuel—often described in historical texts as wood and pitch, and popularized in regional folklore as boiling oil—and set violently ablaze. [1, 2, 3]

The Ultimatum and Martyrdom

Thousands of Christian men, women, and children were lined up along the burning trenches and given one final choice: renounce Christ or jump. They chose martyrdom, willingly stepping into the fiery infernos rather than betraying their beliefs. Christian and Islamic historical accounts estimate that anywhere from several hundred to 4,000 believers perished in the event. [1, 2, 3]

One of the most famous sub-narratives from the event involves a young mother standing at the edge of the pit with her infant. As she hesitated out of fear for her child, the infant miraculously spoke to her, saying, "O mother! Be patient, for you are upon the truth," giving her the courage to plunge into the flames. [1, 2]

Cultural and Religious Legacy

• In Christianity: The survivors and victims were canonized, led by a local nobleman named Harith (St. Aretas in Roman martyrology). The Martyrs of Najran are remembered for their absolute steadfastness. [1, 2]
• In Islam: The event is explicitly commemorated in the Quran in Surah Al-Buruj (The Mansions of the Stars), which condemns the cruelty of the tyrant king and his generals: "Cursed were the companions of the trench—[containing] the fire full of fuel...". [1, 2]