What is the trumpet that will be blown on the Last Day in Islam?

In Islam, the trumpet, known as 'al-Ṣūr', is a real horn that will be blown by the angel Isrāfīl to signal the end of the world and the resurrection of all creation for judgment. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described it as a horn that is blown into, an event marking the assertion of Allah's absolute dominion.

Who is the angel Isrāfīl in Islam?

Isrāfīl is one of the great archangels in Islam, though not named in the Quran itself. According to hadith and scholarly consensus, he is the angel entrusted with blowing the trumpet. He is depicted as perpetually ready, holding the trumpet to his lips, awaiting Allah's command to initiate the end of time.

How many times will the trumpet be blown?

The majority of Islamic scholars, based on verses like Quran 39:68 and authentic hadith, hold that the trumpet will be blown twice. The first blast will cause all creation in the heavens and earth to perish. The second blast will resurrect everyone for the Day of Judgment.

Blowing of the Trumpet (al-Ṣūr) in Islam: Announcing the Day of Resurrection

Trumpet will be blown

Explore Verses Related to Trumpet will be blown

🕋Al-An'am6:73

At a Glance

According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, the 'Blowing of the Trumpet' (Nafkh fi al-Ṣūr) is a literal and monumental eschatological event that signals the end of worldly existence and the beginning of the Day of Resurrection. Tafsir Al-Jalalayn on Quran 6:73 explains that on this day, Allah's dominion will be absolute, commencing when the angel Isrāfīl blows the horn. While Isrāfīl is not named in the Quran, hadith literature and a consensus of scholars, including Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Hajar, identify him as the one entrusted with this task. The synthesis of Quranic verses (like 39:68) and prophetic traditions indicates two primary blasts: the first causing the annihilation of all creation, and the second causing the resurrection of all souls for judgment. This event is a definitive expression of Allah's omnipotence and the absolute truth of His word, 'Be!', which brings about the Resurrection instantaneously.

📖 Quranic Context

A central and pivotal event in Islamic eschatology, marking the transition from worldly existence (Dunya) to the Hereafter (Akhira).

It is a direct command from Allah, executed by the angel Isrāfīl, signifying the ultimate assertion of divine power and the fulfillment of God's promise of judgment.

References: The blowing of the trumpet is explicitly mentioned 10 times in the Quran, with verse 6:73 highlighting its connection to Allah's absolute dominion.

💭 Theological Perspective

Serves as a terrifying and absolute endpoint to human life and free will, ushering in the phase of accountability.

Instills a sense of urgency, accountability, and the transient nature of worldly life, encouraging believers to prepare for the Hereafter.

Acts as a powerful reminder of Allah's omnipotence and the certainty of resurrection and judgment, a core tenet of faith.

Contemplation on this event fosters humility, fear of God's justice, and hope in His mercy, motivating repentance and righteous deeds.

📜 Hadith Perspective

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described the trumpet as a horn and explained the state of the angel Isrāfīl, who holds it to his lips, awaiting Allah's command.

The two blasts of the trumpet—one for annihilation and one for resurrection.
The angel Isrāfīl's constant readiness.
The period of forty between the two blasts.

There is a scholarly consensus (ijma) that the blowing of the trumpet is a real, physical event and that the angel responsible for it is Isrāfīl.

💎 Deeper Insights

Search grounding reveals a linguistic nuance: while 'al-Ṣūr' is universally understood as the trumpet, some mystics like Ibn 'Arabi have pointed out it is also the plural of 'ṣūrah' (form). This adds a layer of meaning: the second blast is when spirits are breathed back into their new 'forms' for the resurrection, making the trumpet not just a sound, but the vessel of re-formation.

— Ibn 'Arabi

Verse 6:73 uniquely links the trumpet blast not just to resurrection, but to the concept of Allah's 'Word' being 'the Truth' ('Qawluhu al-Haqq'). This synthesis shows the trumpet is the ultimate *auditory confirmation* of the creative command 'Be!' (Kun). Just as 'Be!' initiated creation, the trumpet blast initiates the re-creation, proving His Word is the absolute reality.

— Al-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi