Page 98 - The Day of Judgment

96 THE DAY OF JUDGMENT

wisdom" (Surat al-Qamar, 5). Given this fact, every description
given in the Qur'an enables us to visualize the Day of Judgment and
the people's situation. No doubt, Allah's promise is true and all
examples and depicted scenes will become true. For instance, the
Qur'an likens people rising from their graves to swarming locusts,
as follows:

They will emerge from their graves with downcast eyes, like
swarming locusts. (Surat al-Qamar, 7)
This analogy Allah reveals in the Qur'an enables us to visualize
that moment in the best way. The swarming of locusts is unique.
Migrating locusts travel in huge swarms and cause damage on a
massive scale. Swarms can fly between 1,500 and 1,800 meters
(4,900-5,900 feet) above the ground and they descend like a cloud
formation. Locust swarms can migrate great distances very rapidly
and remain airborne for long periods. Some swarms cover an area
as large as 75 x 15 miles (120 x 25 kms), and contain about as much
as 150 billion locusts. 33 Numbering in the billions, they literally
appear out the blue, cover huge areas, and strip away all vegetation
wherever they go.

As Allah revealed in the Qur'an billions of people will suddenly
appear on the ground after hearing the trumpet and, like locusts,
will begin to move together toward the caller. The Qur'an mentions
that:
Among His Signs is that heaven and Earth hold firm by His
command. Then, when He calls you forth from the earth, you
will emerge at once. (Surat ar-Rum, 25)

It is a mind-blowing scene, for all people who have ever lived
will emerge from their graves, assemble all at once, and await the
judgment foreseen for them.