The Trumpet Blast (As-Sur) in Islamic
Eschatology: The Cosmic Call of the End Times
Introduction
One of the most awe-inspiring
events described in Islamic eschatology is the Blowing of the Trumpet
(As-Sur) by the angel Israfil. This cosmic event is not just a symbol, but
a decisive moment that marks the end of the current world and the beginning of
the Hereafter. The Qur’an and Hadith describe the Trumpet blast as so powerful
that mountains will crumble, the earth will be shaken, and all creatures will
fall into silence. The Trumpet is the divine call that no one can escape,
reminding humanity that all life begins and ends by the command of God.
The Role of Israfil and the Trumpet
According to Islamic
tradition, the angel Israfil is entrusted with the Trumpet. He has been
holding it to his mouth, awaiting the divine command to blow it. Scholars
mention that this reflects the immediacy of the Hour — that it could come at
any time. The Trumpet
will be blown twice:
- The First Blast (The End): All living creatures will perish, and the
universe will collapse into silence.
- The Second Blast (The Resurrection): Humanity will rise again from their graves for
the Day of Judgment.
These two blasts symbolize
both the destruction of the worldly order and the rebirth of souls into
eternity.
Qur’anic Verses on the Trumpet
The Trumpet is vividly
described in the Qur’an:
- “And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in
the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allah
wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing,
looking on.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:68)
This verse emphasizes that the Trumpet is not just a sound — it is the divine decree that transforms existence itself.
Cosmic and Spiritual Dimensions
The Trumpet blast carries
multiple layers of meaning:
- Cosmic Dimension: The
physical universe will dissolve; mountains, stars, and seas will lose
their order. It is a reminder that even the greatest of natural powers are
fragile before God’s will.
- Spiritual Dimension: The
Trumpet represents awakening — first to death, then to resurrection. It
reflects the transition from the temporary world to eternal
accountability.
- Universal Message: The
Trumpet is not restricted to one nation or people; it will affect every
creature in existence, uniting all in submission to their Creator.
Lessons for Humanity
The prophecy of the Trumpet
blast is not only about the future; it has lessons for the present:
- Urgency of Preparation: Just as the Trumpet may sound at any moment,
death may come unexpectedly. Believers are reminded to prepare daily.
- The Fragility of Power: Kingdoms, wealth, and empires will collapse
instantly when the Trumpet is blown. True security lies only with God.
- Hope Beyond Destruction: Though the first blast brings an end, the second
blast brings resurrection — a reminder that with every ending in Islam,
there is a new beginning.
Conclusion
The Blowing of the Trumpet
(As-Sur) is one of the most powerful and universal signs of the end times in
Islamic eschatology. It is both an ending and a beginning — the destruction of
worldly life and the start of eternal accountability. For believers, it is not
meant to instill despair, but to awaken awareness of life’s fleeting nature and
to encourage sincere preparation for the Hereafter.
In the silence that follows
the first blast and the awakening that follows the second, humanity will
finally realize that all power belongs to God alone.
