The Blowing of the Trumpet & “Blue-Eyed” Deafness
A Profound Warning: Surah Ta-Ha (20:102)
“On the day when the trumpet shall be blown, and We will gather the guilty, ‘blue-eyed’ on that day.” (20:102)
At first glance, the term “blue-eyed” may seem unusual in this context. However, a deeper linguistic and scientific analysis reveals a fascinating correlation.
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The Arabic Root of “Blue-Eyed”
The phrase translated as blue-eyed originates from the Arabic root
Zay-Ra-Qaf (زرق),
which encompasses a range of meanings:
• Blue-eyed, grey-eyed, or greenish-hued eyes
• Blindness, particularly due to cataracts, where the pupil turns a pale grey
• Extreme clarity or brightness
• The whitening of the eye
• A piercing gaze, intense eye color, or a sharp look
This suggests that the verse is not merely describing a physical eye color but rather a state of visual transformation, possibly linked to a condition like blindness or an altered sensory state on the Day of Judgment.
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Scientific Parallel:
The “Van Cat” & Blue-Eyed Deafness
One of the most intriguing examples of this phenomenon in nature is found in the Van cat, a rare breed known for its distinctive odd-colored eyes—one blue and one amber.
But did you know that Van cats are often deaf on the side of the blue eye?
This phenomenon is well-documented in scientific literature under the study of congenital deafness in white cats.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaf_white_cat
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Scientific Evidence:
The Link Between Blue Eyes & Deafness
Research has confirmed a striking genetic correlation between blue eyes and hearing impairment in certain animals, particularly white cats. According to a Wikipedia entry on “Deaf White Cats”:
“Some white cats suffer from congenital deafness caused by a degeneration of the inner ear. This condition is associated with blue irises. In white cats with mixed-colored eyes (odd-eyed cats), it has been found that deafness is more likely to affect the ear on the blue-eye side.”
A 1997 study further elaborates:
“72% of white cats with blue eyes were found to be completely deaf. The entire organ of Corti (responsible for hearing) had already degenerated within the first few weeks after birth, EVEN DURING THESE WEEKS, NO BRAIN STEM RESPONSE COULD BE EVOKED BY AUDITORY STIMULI, suggesting that these animals had never experienced any auditory sensations at all.”
This means that for these animals, the very presence of a blue eye can signal a complete loss of auditory perception on that side.
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The Blowing of the Trumpet & Sensory Overload
Now, consider the Quranic description: A powerful sound—so intense that it affects human perception, causing ‘blue-eyed’ blindness or deafness.
• Could this refer to a state of extreme sensory overload, where the sheer force of the trumpet’s sound causes a neurological or optical reaction?
• The Quran’s choice of words suggests a profound transformation, possibly an intense exposure to divine judgment, altering vision or hearing.
The parallels between the Quranic description and modern genetic and auditory science are remarkable. The phrase “blue-eyed” may not simply denote a physical characteristic but rather a metaphor for the disorienting and overwhelming effects of the Trumpet’s blast.
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Conclusion: A Sign of Divine Wisdom
Subhan’Allah! He is All-Wise, All-Knowing—revealing insights that, centuries later, align with discoveries in genetics and auditory science.
This Quranic verse, once seen as metaphorical or mysterious, now emerges as a possible description of a real, observable biological phenomenon—one that science has only recently begun to understand.
It serves as a compelling reminder of the depth of meaning within the Quran and the intricate connections between divine revelation and the natural world.