وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ 68
Translations
And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allāh wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.
Transliteration
Wa-nufikha fi as-sūri fa-sa'iqa man fi as-samāwāti wa-man fi al-ardi illā man shāa Allāhu. Thumma nufikha fīhi ukhrā fa-idhā hum qiyāmun yanẓurūn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah describes the first and second blasts of the Trumpet (Sur) on the Day of Judgment. The first blast causes all creation in the heavens and earth to be struck dead and lose consciousness, except whom Allah wills (generally understood as the angels and those whom Allah preserves). The second blast resurrects all souls, and they stand awaiting the judgment of Allah. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir emphasize that this represents the cosmic upheaval at the end of times and the resurrection of humanity for the final reckoning.
Revelation Context
Surah Az-Zumar is a Meccan surah dealing with themes of divine oneness (tawhīd), the afterlife, and resurrection. This ayah appears within a passage emphasizing Allah's power over creation and the certainty of the Day of Judgment—core messages for the early Meccan audience to internalize belief in the Hereafter despite their denial.
Related Hadiths
Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet (ﷺ) described the two blasts of the Trumpet in detail, stating that between them there is forty years. Additionally, Sahih Bukhari contains hadiths about the Sur and the resurrection, including descriptions of the angel Isrāfīl who will blow it on Allah's command.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers of the absolute certainty of the resurrection and judgment, encouraging them to live with consciousness of accountability before Allah and to prioritize righteous deeds over worldly pursuits, knowing that all will ultimately stand before their Creator.
Related Ayahs
وَقَالُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا كُنَّا عِظَـٰمًا وَرُفَـٰتًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ خَلْقًا جَدِيدًا
And they say, "When we are bones and crumbled particles, will we [truly] be resurrected as a new creation?"
يُخْرِجُ ٱلْحَىَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ ٱلْمَيِّتَ مِنَ ٱلْحَىِّ وَيُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ تُخْرَجُونَ
He brings the living out of the dead and brings the dead out of the living and brings to life the earth after its lifelessness. And thus will you be brought out.
ثُلَّةٌ مِّنَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
A company of the former peoples
فَٱنظُرْ إِلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِ رَحْمَتِ ٱللَّهِ كَيْفَ يُحْىِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَآ ۚ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ ۖ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
So observe the effects of the mercy of Allāh - how He gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed, that [same one] will give life to the dead, and He is over all things competent.