Israfil

The Angel of the Trumpet (Art by Peter Mohrbacher)

> The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.
>
> **Revelation 8:8.**

**Israfil** is an Archangel from Islamic theology, who is said to be the angel to blow the trumpet during the Days of Judgement.

## Overview

Israfil is the angel of the trumpet in Islam, though unnamed in the Qur'an. Along with Mikhail, Djibril and Izra'il, he is one of the four Islamic archangels. The "Book of Dead" described Israfil as the oldest of all archangels. In Islamic tradition, he is said to have been sent, along with the other three Islamic archangels, to collect dust from the four corners of the earth, although only Izra'il succeeded in this mission. It was from this dust that Adam was formed.

Certain sources indicate that, created at the beginning of time, Israfil possesses four wings, and is so tall as to be able to reach from the earth to the pillars of Heaven. A beautiful angel who is a Master of Music, Israfil sings praises to God in a thousand different languages, the breath of which is used to inject life into hosts of angels who add to the songs themselves. Due to his beautiful voice, he is also the Muezzin of those in Heaven.

Israfil holds his holy trumpet to his lip's century after century, awaiting the signal from God to sound it at the Last Judgement. At this time, he will descend to Earth and stand upon the holy rock in Jerusalem. The first blow of his trumpet will shatter the world, and the second blow will awaken the dead and summon them to judgement.

## History

Israfil is the angel responsible for signaling the coming of Qiyamah (Judgment Day) by blowing the trumpet (namely Sûr) and sending out a "Blast of Truth". The trumpet will be blown two times, the first blow of the trumpet will signal the beginning of Last Day and the second blow will signal the time when all the souls will be gathered for the Last Judgement.

## Myths and Legends

> The Islamic angel of music. It is said that he will sound the trumpet during the Last Judgement.
> He has four wings and is said to tower into the heavens. Thrice daily and nightly, he sheds enormous tears while watching humans tormented in Hell.
>
> **The Demonic Compendium.**

According to Sunni traditions reported by Imam Al-Suyuti, the 'Ghawth or Qutb, is someone who has a heart that resembles that of archangel Israfil, signifying the loftiness of this angel. The next in rank are the saints who are known as the Umdah or Awtad, amongst whom the highest ones have their hearts resembling that of angel Joshua, and the rest of the lower ranking saints having the heart of Gabriel, and that of the previous prophets before Muhammad. The earth is believed to always have one of the Qutb.

Although the name "Israfel" does not appear in the Qur'an, mention is repeatedly made of an unnamed trumpet-angel assumed to identify this figure:

> And the trumpet shall be blown, so all those that are in the heavens and all those that are in the earth shall swoon, except Allah; then it shall be blown again, then they shall stand up awaiting.
>
> **Qur'an (39.68).**

## Quotes

> The burning one.
>
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> Herald of the dawning day.
>
>
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> Summoner of the final hour.
>
> **Unknown**

> The ecstasies above
>
>
> With thy burning measures suit—
> Thy grief, thy joy, thy hate, thy love,
> With the fervor of thy lute—
> Well, may the stars be mute!
> Yes, Heaven is thine; but this
> Is a world of sweets and sours;
> Our flowers are mere—flowers,
> And the shadow of thy perfect bliss
> Is the sunshine of ours.
> If I could dwell
> Where Israfel
> Hath dwelt, and he where I,
> He might not sing so wildly well
> A mortal melody,
> While a bolder note than this might swell
>
>
>
> From my lyre within the sky.
>
> **Unknown**

## Trivia

* Israfil has been associated with a number of other angelic names, including Uriel, Sarafiel and Raphael.
* Israfil is mentioned in a hadith as the angel nearest to God, mediating the commands of God to the other archangels.
* A few reports assume that Israfil had visited Muhammad before Gabriel did.