Angel Israfil in Islam holds a vital role. Although the Qur’an does not directly name him as the one who blows the trumpet, Islamic tradition widely agrees that Israfil is the angel assigned to this task. He is known for initiating the Day of Judgment by blowing the trumpet. Among the four archangels in Islamic belief, Israfil plays a unique and powerful part.
Who Is Angel Israfil?
In Islam, Angel Israfil is tasked with a great responsibility. Allah has chosen him to blow the trumpet twice. The first blast will destroy all life. The second will bring everyone back to life. Through these actions, the Day of Judgment begins.
Muslims believe Israfil stands ready. His lips are near the trumpet, waiting for Allah’s command. This shows his constant readiness to serve his divine duty.
The Role of Angel Israfil in Islam
Angel Israfil’s role in Islam is both spiritual and cosmic. Unlike Angel Jibreel who brings revelation, Israfil signals the end and the new beginning. The Quran refers to the trumpet blasts, though not by Israfil’s name directly. However, Hadiths clearly identify him with this task.
Because of his task, Israfil holds a fearful yet respected place in Islamic eschatology. Believers reflect on his role to strengthen their faith and prepare for the hereafter.
Qur’an Verses Pertaining to the Trumpet
While the name Israfil is not mentioned in the Qur’an, the blowing of the trumpet—which Islamic tradition attributes to him—is described in several verses:
The Trumpet will be blown and all those in the heavens and all those on the earth will fall dead, except those Allah wills [to spare]. Then it will be blown again and they will rise up at once, looking on [in anticipation].
وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌۭ يَنظُرُونَ
Quran 39:68
And [beware of] the Day the Trumpet will be blown, and all those in the heavens and all those on the earth will be horrified [to the point of death], except those Allah wills [to spare]. And all will come before Him, fully humbled.
وَيَوْمَ يُنفَخُ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَفَزِعَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ وَكُلٌّ أَتَوْهُ دَٰخِرِينَ
Quran 27:87
These verses allude to the cataclysmic events of resurrection, traditionally linked to Israfil in Islamic eschatology.
Hadiths That Mention Israfil by Name
1. As a Direct Invocation in Prayer
The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to begin his night prayer with:
‘Abd al-Rahman b. ‘Auf reported: I asked ‘A’isha, the mother of the believers, (to tell me) the words with which the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commenced the prayer when he got up at night. She said: When he got up at night he would commence his prayer with these words: O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, and Michael, and Israfil, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who knowest the unseen and the seen; Thou decidest amongst Thy servants concerning their differences. Guide me with Thy permission in the divergent views (which the people) hold about Truth, for it is Thou Who guidest whom Thou wilt to the Straight Path.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، وَعَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، وَأَبُو مَعْنٍ الرَّقَاشِيُّ قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا عِكْرِمَةُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو سَلَمَةَ، بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ أُمَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِأَىِّ شَىْءٍ كَانَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَفْتَتِحُ صَلاَتَهُ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ قَالَتْ كَانَ إِذَا قَامَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ افْتَتَحَ صَلاَتَهُ “ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ جِبْرَائِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَإِسْرَافِيلَ فَاطِرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ اهْدِنِي لِمَا اخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِإِذْنِكَ إِنَّكَ تَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ ” .
Sahih Muslim: Book 6, Hadith 239
2. Holding the Trumpet Awaiting Allah’s Command
Abu Sa’eed narrated: “The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: ‘How can I be comfortable when the one with the horn is holding it to his lip, his ears listening for when he will be ordered to blow, so he can blow.’ It was as if that was very hard upon the Companions of the Prophet (s.a.w), so he said to them: ‘Say: “Allah is sufficent for us and what a good protector He is, and upon Allah we rely.”
حَدَّثَنَا سُوَيْدٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، أَخْبَرَنَا خَالِدٌ أَبُو الْعَلاَءِ، عَنْ عَطِيَّةَ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” كَيْفَ أَنْعَمُ وَصَاحِبُ الْقَرْنِ قَدِ الْتَقَمَ الْقَرْنَ وَاسْتَمَعَ الإِذْنَ مَتَى يُؤْمَرُ بِالنَّفْخِ فَيَنْفُخُ ” . فَكَأَنَّ ذَلِكَ ثَقُلَ عَلَى أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ لَهُمْ ” قُولُوا حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ عَلَى اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا ” . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ . وَقَدْ رُوِيَ مِنْ غَيْرِ وَجْهٍ هَذَا الْحَدِيثُ عَنْ عَطِيَّةَ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَحْوَهُ .
Jami` at-Tirmidhi: Book 37, Hadith 17
This illustrates his eschatological role as the immediate agent in sounding the resurrection.
Why Angel Israfil Matters in Islam
Angel Israfil in Islam is a reminder to believers of accountability, his is holdign the trumpet to his lips. His trumpet will shake the heavens and earth. Therefore, Muslims are urged to reflect on their deeds. Israfil’s mission marks the turning point between this life and the eternal life.
Moreover, he connects this world to the unseen world. He does not bring messages like Jibreel or take souls like Azrael. Instead, he signals the final moment. That alone makes his presence significant in Islamic belief.
Conclusion: Reflecting on Angel Israfil in Islam
The angel Israfil in Islam holds a role unlike any other. While the Qur’an does not mention him by name as the one who will blow the trumpet, scholars and classical tafsir unanimously identify him with this task. Through his trumpet, he will mark the end of time. For Muslims, thinking about Israfil helps them remember the reality of Judgment Day. It also encourages living a righteous life today.
In summary, Angel Israfil in Islam is a symbol of divine power and ultimate justice.
Click here to learn about the other Angels
Looking for something else? Explore more Islamic topics here.
