Surah Al-Haqqah 69:13
سُورَةُ الحَاقَّةِ · Meccan · Verse 13 of 52
فَإِذَا نُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ نَفْخَةٌۭ وَٰحِدَةٌۭ
Translation
When the Trumpet is sounded a single time,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse opens a profound scene from the Day of Judgment, beginning with a singular, decisive act. Allah says, "And when the Horn is blown with a single blast." This is the first of the two great blasts that will mark the end of this world and the beginning of the Hereafter.
The Divine Call
The word "نُفِخَ" (nufikha, "was blown") is used in the passive voice. Ibn Ashur explains that this grammatical choice focuses our attention on the *event* itself rather than the one performing the action. While we know an angel (Israfil) is tasked with blowing the Horn, the Quran emphasizes that this is Allah's command being executed, highlighting the immense power behind the action, rather than the identity of the messenger. The "الصُّور" (as-Soor, the Horn) itself evokes the image of a powerful instrument, much like a military horn used to gather troops, signaling an urgent and unavoidable call.
The Emphasis of "One"
The most striking aspect of this verse, from a linguistic perspective, is the phrase "نَفْخَةٌۭ وَٰحِدَةٌۭ" (nafkhah wahidah, "a single blast"). The word "nafkhah" already implies "one blast" by its very form. So, why does the Quran add "wahidah" (one) again? Scholars like Ibn Ashur and al-Zamakhshari point out that this is a powerful emphasis. It's meant to convey astonishment at the sheer magnitude of Allah's power. It highlights that *all* of creation will be utterly transformed and destroyed by just *one* blast, without any need for repetition or further effort. This single, unrepeated event is enough to bring about the complete cessation of life and the collapse of the established order.
This specific wording underscores the immediacy, decisiveness, and irresistible nature of Allah's command. There is no delay, no second chance, no gradual decay; just one blast, and everything changes. It is a potent reminder of Allah's absolute sovereignty and the swift, undeniable reality of the Day of Judgment.
Sources: Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Jalalayn
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Al-Haqqah 69:13 is discussed in 2 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
- The Last Day (Al-Yawm al-Akhir) (key verse)
- Mountains (Jibal)
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Al-Haqqah 69:13 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.