What's So Special About This Number?

by Asma bint Shameem

Some of us seek barakah (blessing) from it by writing this number on the top of our letters,
documents, exams, and job applications.
Some of us write it on something and hang it in the car to 'protect' us from accidents.
Some of us chose it as the number for our cell phones or for our license plates, thinking it is part
of Islaam and we are getting rewards for doing so.

But what is this 'magical, mystical' number that is supposed to bring you barakah and protection
and 'good luck'????
They say it is the number "786".
Why??
Because, they say, each of the Arabic letters represents numbers and when you add all the letters
that make up the Basmalah, you get a total of 786. Thus,according to them, "786" is the is the
numerical representation of "Bismillah-ir Rahmaan-ir Raheem"

BUT IS IT??
Is it really so???
Can a number really do that??
Is it part of the Shari'ah??
Did the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) or the Sahabah use it in place of the
Basmalah??

Did we ever try to find the authenticity of such a claim??

Or are we just blindly following the traditions of our culture and forefathers?

When we examine the Sharee'ah that Muhammad (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) came with,
we realize that "786" has absolutely no religious or Islamic significance.The number 786 means
786 and nothing more!

Unfortunately, the innovation of writing "786" instead of "Bismillah-ir Rahmaan-ir Raheem" at

the top of a document or a letter, or to seek barakah and good luck, has become a common
practice among Muslims, especially from the Indian sub-continent.Our innocent Muslims believe
that this is a part of Islam.

Actually, this old game of numbers was practiced by the ancient civilizations. Islaam came to
ELIMINATE ALL such superstitions, mysteries and numerological mumbo-jumbo.
However, some of us are still enslaved to this number game, and think that 786 represents
"Bismillah-ir Rahmaan-ir Raheem" and can bring us barakah!

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid says:

"When Allah or His messenger want to teach us something, they do so in the clearest way far
from puzzles and mystery numbers. All the efforts made by some Muslims to count letters and
relate them to numbers are nothing but a waste of time....Indeed our deen is great, and not in
need of such erroneous approaches" (www.islamqa.com)

THEIR ARGUMENTS:

Argument #1) This is a system of numbers known as the ABJAD letters, each Arabic letter
being represented by a number.
ANSWER:
The Qur'aan is not a book of mathematics or a book of symbolic numbers. Can we remove
"Bismillah-ir Rahmaan-ir Raheem" from the top of Surah al-Faatiha and replace it with the
number 786? Can these numbers replace the Perfect Name of Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala??
Of course not!

The absurdity of ABJAD numbers becomes clear if you reflect upon the following numbers 66,
92, 352, and 296. What do these numbers stand for? What do they mean? They are the numerical
values of Allah, Muhammad (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam), Qur'an, and Rasool respectively.
So, from tomorrow, can I call on Allaah by saying' Ya 66' or when I send blessings on the
Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam), do I send them on 92??!!!!!!
Astaghfirullaah and A'oodhu billaah!!!!

Did Allaah reveal the Qur'an in mathematical figures? WHY ARE WE THEN,
CONVERTING IT INTO NUMBERS???

Argument #2) We don't want to disrespect the name of Allaah so we use this numerical
representation on letters etc., lest it falls to the ground and be a cause of disrespect.
ANSWER:
Do you respect the Word of Allaah more than the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and his
Companions??? And yet he sent letters to non-Muslim Kings and chiefs bearing the sacred
words "Bismillah-ir Rahmaan-ir Raheem".
Also the letter that Sulaiman (Alaiyhi as-Salaam) sent to the queen of Sheba bore the Basmalah
as its heading and surely, he was a Prophet of Allah who knew what amounted to respecting or
disrespecting Allaah!

"Verily! It (the letter) is from Sulaiman, and verily it (reads):In the Name of Allaah, the Most
Beneficent, the Most Merciful." (Bismillah-ir Rahmaan-ir Raheem). (Surah Naml:30).

Argument #3) We only use it for barakah and protection

ANSWER:
Seeking barakah and protection with something or in some way that is nor prescribed in Islaam is
Shirk because the One Who really offers protection is Allaah, alone. And one can only seek
barakah from things that have evidence to do so in Islaam and hanging a bunch of numbers is
NOT ONE OF THEM, no matter what they (supposedly) represent!

Argument #4) So what if we use it? What's so wrong about it!

ANSWER:
The "wrong" with it is that it was NOT the practice of Rasul Allaah (sallallahu alaiyhi
wassallam) and it is not permissible to do any acts of worship except those which are approved
by Sharee'ah.
The Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "Whoever innovates something is this matter of
ours [Islam] which is not part of it, will have it rejected" (saheeh, agreed upon).

Argument #5) We just use it as an abbreviation

ANSWER:
In case you forgot, "Bismillah-ir Rahmaan-ir Raheem", is the very first Ayaah of the very first
Surah of the Qur'aan.(Surah Fatihah:1). And Allah revealed the Qur'an in clear Arabic and no one
dare abbreviate even a single letter from it, let alone a whole Ayaah!
"And the (Qur'an) is a revelation from the Lord of the Worlds ... in plain Arabic." (Surah ash-
Shu'raa:192-195)

Conclusion:
Whosoever uses 786 with the intention of obtaining Divine blessings is a misguided person and
any attempt to justify it, is based on ignorance, innovation or blind following of the practices of
his ancestors.
Those who invented the "786", are GUILTY of tampering with the text of the Book of Allaah.
Muslims should give up this EVIL and disgusting practice of using 786. It is an innovation, evil
and in NO WAY sacred. And it is a conspiracy against the Kitaab of Allah.
May ALLAH give us all the guidance to practice what is most Pleasing to Him!