Israfel is the angel of the trumpet in Islamic eschatology.
Israfel in religion
Created at the beginning of time, Israfel is said to possess four wings, and to be 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, Israfel 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.
Israfel holds his holy trumpet to his lips 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 the second blow will awaken the dead and summon them to judgement.
Israfel, Gabriel, and Michael were the three angels who, according to legend, warned Abraham of Sodom's destruction.
Israfel in poetry
Israfel is also the subject and title of a poem by Edgar Allan Poe.
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