the most curious letters of the qur'an: mystery and masterpiece

The Most Curious Letters of the Qur‖an:

Mystery and Masterpiece

ABSTRACT

This work represents an ambitious contribution to the literature on the ever-exciting

subject that is the disconnected letters of the Qur‖an. Without claiming to have deciphered

their secrets, the paper argues – using a consistent and thorough technique – that a

glimpse of their magnificence indeed manifests itself through the language of numbers.

Though controversies have surrounded many studies of the Qur‖an‖s numbers, it is believed

that these should not discourage further research into the topic, as long as this is

performed using a clearly defined approach. Whilst focusing primarily on the number

seven, the paper also gives examples which illustrate the importance of other numbers,

including 114 and 309.

It commences with a brief overview of the disconnected letters, the simple method used to

examine them and the significance of the number seven. The established method is then

applied to a variety of examples accommodating most of the disconnected letters, to

highlight both its originality and the consistency of its outcomes. The paper concludes with

a series of examples that attempt to ascertain a numerical explanation as to why the same

words and phrases are often repeated a certain amount of times, and in their precise

locations, across the Qur‖an as well as within particular chapters. For instance, when Abdel

Ḥaleem1 expounds why the 31 repetitions of the refrain in Surat Al-Raḥman are fitting in

terms of context and structure, let alone why the refrain ―occurs 31 times, why it could not

have started earlier, or occurred more times than it does‖, the language of numbers

strongly supports these claims, as will be shown.

The disconnected letters have been an enduring mystery for centuries, and the present

paper contends that, perhaps, the minutest glimpse of its secrets may have been

discovered.

1 Muḥammad A.S. Abdel Ḥaleem, Understanding the Qur’an: Themes and Style, London: IB Tauris (2011), p. 170.

The Most Curious Letters of the Qur‖an: Mystery and Masterpiece

Contents

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................... 1

RECENT DISCOVERY ............................................................................................................................................ 2

APPLYING THE SIMPLE TECHNIQUE ................................................................................................................ 4

WHY SEVEN? ........................................................................................................................................................ 7

CLEARLY DEFINED GUIDELINES ........................................................................................................................ 7

THE SLEEPERS OF THE CAVE: A CAPTIVATING NUMBER ........................................................................... 10

THE QUR‖AN AS IT IS PRONOUNCED: A GLORIOUS EXAMPLE.................................................................... 14

FOUR KEY NUMBERS ........................................................................................................................................ 16

THE FIRST REVELATION, AND THE LAST REVEALED CHAPTER ................................................................ 16

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL LETTERS ....................................................................................... 18

ALM IN THE FIRST AND LAST QUR‖ANIC CHAPTERS ................................................................................... 21

THE ASTOUNDING ARRANGEMENT OF ALM ACROSS THE QUR‖AN .......................................................... 23

ALM within the context of the 29 special-phrased chapters ......................................................................................... 24

The six ALM verses .................................................................................................................................................................. 26

The verse count of each ALM chapter ................................................................................................................................ 26

ALM IN THE FIRST AND LAST ALM CHAPTERS .............................................................................................. 27

ALM IN OTHER CHAPTERS ................................................................................................................................ 33

ALM in Al-‘Imrān ..................................................................................................................................................................... 33

ALM in Al-‘Ankabūt ................................................................................................................................................................ 38

ALM in Al-Rūm ......................................................................................................................................................................... 42

ALM in Luqmān ........................................................................................................................................................................ 53

ALR AND THE SEVEN OFT-REPEATED ............................................................................................................ 57

The seven mathānī verse and the number seven ............................................................................................................ 58

The link between Al-Fātiḥa and the seven mathānī verse ............................................................................................ 58

The brilliance of alr in both Al-Fātiḥa and the seven mathānī verse ......................................................................... 59

ALMR AND THE NUMBER SEVEN (AND 114) .................................................................................................. 60

Almr in the first verse of Al-Ra‘d ......................................................................................................................................... 60

Almr in verses two and three: splendid universal phenomena .................................................................................... 61

Almr in the first part of verse 31: the sheer power of the Qur’an ................................................................................. 64

Almr in verse 37 of Al-Ra‘d: the Arabic Qur’an ................................................................................................................ 65

Almr in the final verse of Al-Ra‘d......................................................................................................................................... 66

KHY‘Ṣ IN SURAT MARYAM (CHAPTER: MARY) ............................................................................................. 67

Khy‘ṣ in the story of Jesus (pbuh) ........................................................................................................................................ 67

Khy‘ṣ in verses 66 and 67: a question for mankind .......................................................................................................... 74

Khy‘ṣ in verse 81 ....................................................................................................................................................................... 75

ṢĀD IN SURAT ṢĀD (CHAPTER: ṢĀD)................................................................................................................ 76

ḤM ‘SQ: PROLIFIC PATTERNS OF THE NUMBER SEVEN ............................................................................... 78

Brief introduction to both phrases ...................................................................................................................................... 79

The first verse following ḥm ‘sq ............................................................................................................................................ 79

Ḥm ‘sq in verse 29: God’s ultimate power ........................................................................................................................... 80

Ḥm ‘sq in verses 32-34: Another of God’s signs ................................................................................................................. 81

Ḥm ‘sq in verse 36: This life vs. the hereafter .................................................................................................................... 85

Ḥm ‘sq in verse 49: God alone determines gender ............................................................................................................ 85

Ḥm ‘sq in the final two verses ............................................................................................................................................... 88

Ḥm ‘sq in the seventh verse ................................................................................................................................................... 90

Words literally containing ḥm: intriguing insight .......................................................................................................... 95

ḤM ‘SQ: A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF MIRACLE .................................................................................................. 95

YĀ SĪN: THE HEART OF THE QUR‖AN .............................................................................................................. 99

ṬĀ SĪN: SEVEN, NINETEEN AND 114 FEATURE AGAIN ............................................................................... 108

THE BASMALA’S MARVELLOUS ARRANGEMENT ACROSS THE QUR‖AN .................................................. 120

ṬĀ SĪN MĪM: A FEW BREATHTAKING EXAMPLES ........................................................................................ 121

ṬSM in Al-Shu‘arā’ ................................................................................................................................................................ 121

ṬSM in Al- Qaṣaṣ .................................................................................................................................................................... 125

ṬĀ HĀ: THE IMMACULATE CONSISTENCY OF THE NUMBER SEVEN ....................................................... 133

CONCLUDING EXAMPLES: A VERSE, A WORD AND A SEGMENT .............................................................. 144

A single verse: producing the like of the Qur’an ............................................................................................................ 144

We have sent it down ............................................................................................................................................................ 145

By the star when it sets ........................................................................................................................................................ 147

By the positions of stars........................................................................................................................................................ 148

Jesus and Mary in the Qur’an ............................................................................................................................................. 149

The same verse repeats itself 31 times in one chapter .................................................................................................. 150

A single word: nufikha .......................................................................................................................................................... 151

Or do they say, ‘He has devised it’? ................................................................................................................................... 152

‘We keep an account of everything’................................................................................................................................... 154

The blessings of God cannot be counted ........................................................................................................................... 154

Gabriel brought down the Qur’an ...................................................................................................................................... 155

A confirmation and an explanation .................................................................................................................................. 156

Good news and warning ....................................................................................................................................................... 156

A healing for people ............................................................................................................................................................... 157

We have decorated the skies ............................................................................................................................................... 158

We have built the skies ......................................................................................................................................................... 159

God holds the skies ................................................................................................................................................................. 159

Your companion has not strayed ....................................................................................................................................... 160

No soul shall bear the burden of another......................................................................................................................... 161

We make grains grow ............................................................................................................................................................ 162

Have they not contemplated? ............................................................................................................................................. 163

The number seven! ................................................................................................................................................................ 164

John and Elisha ....................................................................................................................................................................... 165

‘In God’s eyes Jesus is just like Adam’ ............................................................................................................................... 167

Mathānī .................................................................................................................................................................................... 169

The Qur’an’s distinct, clear verses ..................................................................................................................................... 170

A segment of a verse: Who speaks more truly than God? ............................................................................................ 171

CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................................................... 173

1

The Most Curious Letters of the Qur‖an: Mystery and Masterpiece

INTRODUCTION

―Every book holds a secret, and the secret of the Qur‖an is the fawātiḥ.‖2

Al-Sha―bī, Kufan scholar (d. 103/722)

The mysterious letters standing at the forefront of 29 of the Qur‖an‖s 114 chapters remain

among the most profound mysteries in Islam and world religion altogether. They are

commonly known as the disconnected letters (al-ḥurūf al-muqaṭṭa‘ah) or chapter openings

(fawātiḥ al-suwar). These are curiously unique letter combinations that do not form any

intelligible word, and are actually recited as distinct letters, such as ―ABC‖ or ―XYZ‖.

For fourteen centuries, both Muslim and non-Muslim scholars have eagerly sought to

decipher their secrets and fashion some form of explanation, and as yet, the incredible

reality perseveres: we are yet to arrive at a clear solution. As Morris Seale explains,

―throughout the ages, scholars both Muslim and European, have pondered and wrestled

with these mysterious letters, advancing a great number of theories, sometimes fanciful

and far-fetched, to explain their origin and meaning‖3.

The interpretations brought forward have lacked essential features that would otherwise

have merited their worthiness, and sometimes at the realisation of the interpretors

themselves, these conclusions have lacked consistency and comprehensiveness. They have

often contained loopholes, left questions unanswered, and been difficult to accurately

apply across all the fawātiḥ.

Crucially, too, the nature of several explanations – particularly those linking the letters to

abbreviations of certain names, phrases, places or even people – is such that they are often

arbitrary and almost impossible to verify, even if they contain partial truth. In addition,

some, though not all, of the explanations seem to lose sight of the central questions of why

God deposited these letters in the first place, why in these particular locations, and the

sheer wisdom behind this. This is assuming that the letters are part of the Qur‖anic

revelation, which many commentators, including non-Muslim ones, have tended to accept.

While many explanations have certainly provided helpful insight, as well as some degree of

consistency, no opinion has been emphatically conclusive and thus widely accepted.

On the one hand, this has caused Muslim scholarly opinion to find further comfort in the

notion that only God knows the full meaning behind these letters, a view that is personally

accepted. However, Muslim scholars ought not to stagnantly resign to this fact, particularly

2 Al-Suyūṭī, Jalāl Al-Dīn ―Abdel Raḥman bin Abī Bakr, al-Itqān fī ‘Ulūm al-Qur’ān, M.S. Hāshim (ed.) (2 volumes).

Beirut: Dār al-Kotob al-―ilmiyah (2000), vol. 2, p. 15. 3 Morris S. Seale, Qur’an and Bible: Studies in Interpretation and Dialogue. London: Croom Helm (1978), p. 30.

2

when the Qur‖an itself calls upon its readers to reflect upon it with care, detail and

attention (e.g. Q. 4:82).

The Qur‖an‖s very discourse seems not to neglect these letters either, especially when on

many occasions, the immediate statements following the fawātiḥ give some kind of

reference to them being signs of the Qur‖an, the Book or the revelation4. This alludes to the

emphasis of Welch5 on the need to at least examine the immediate contexts of the fawātiḥ,

which ought not to be only the initial verses following them but the entire chapters (sūras)

they pertain to. Western scholars6, on the other hand, generally hang between two main

opinions, namely one of denial that the fawātiḥ carry some meaning, and one of insistence

that they must7.

Jalāl Al-Dīn Al-Suyūṭī (d. 911/1505), the Egyptian polymath who came to be known as Ibn al-

Kutub (the son of books), concludes in his acclaimed al-Itqān fī ‘Ulūm al-Qur’an (Precision and

Mastery in the Sciences of the Qur’an), after reviewing around twenty opinions on the fawātiḥ,

that he does not know of anyone who has arrived at a sound verdict or understanding of

these letters8. Professor M.A.S. Abdel Ḥaleem, in his translation of the Qur‖an, mentions two

of the more popular interpretations, which do not require the letters to be examined in any

kind of detail, but nevertheless are quite sensible: ―(1) these letters indicated to the Arabs

who first heard the Qur‖an that the Qur‖an consists of letters and words of their own

language, although it was superior to any speech of their own, being of divine origin; (2)

they are an exclamatory device intended to arrest the listeners‖ attention... Exegetes

normally added, after expounding their theories, “God knows best”‖9.

In short, these letters continue to be a puzzle – a thrilling, albeit baffling one – waiting to

be solved.

RECENT DISCOVERY

However, this is all with the exception of one explanation, which, despite being put

forward as early as 2002, has managed to elude scholarly eyes, perhaps mainly because it

has been presented only in Arabic. The focus of this paper will be this particular

4 These immediate statements are, in ten out of the 29 chapters, not even separate verses of their own, but

part of the first verse which contains one of the fawātiḥ; perhaps a further emphasis that these letters are

vital. Such is the case with almr, ṭs, all three single-lettered openings and all five chapters beginning with alr. 5 Alford T. Welch, ―Al-Kur‖an‖ (4d ―The Mysterious Letters‖), in The Encyclopaedia of Islam, vol. 5. 6 Including, among others, Hans Bauer, Richard Bell, James Bellamy, Eduard Goossens, Hartwig Hirschfeld,

Arthur Jeffery, Alan Jones, Otto Loth, Keith Massey, Theodor Nöldeke, Andrew Rippin, Morris S. Seale,

Friedrich Schwally, Aloys Sprenger, W. Montgomery Watt and Alford Welch. 7 James Bellamy, ―The Mysterious Letters of the Koran: Old Abbreviations of the Basmala‖, Journal of the

American Oriental Society, 93: 3 (1973), 267-285, p. 268. 8 Al-Suyūṭī, al-Itqān, vol.2, p. 19. 9 Muḥammad A.S. Abdel Ḥaleem, The Qur’an: A New Translation, Oxford World‖s Classics. Oxford: Oxford

University Press (2010), p. 4. The Qur‖anic verses shown in English are adopted from this translation.

3

interpretation, and it will be claimed that its account of the fawātiḥ is in fact, by far and

away, potentially the most convincing ever presented to date (with all due respect to the

accomplished and esteemed calibre of scholars who have previously given their opinions

on the fawātiḥ, whose efforts are truly admirable). This is a bold and audacious statement,

no doubt, but it is humbly believed that the explanation that will soon be given may well be

– in the entire 1400 year old or so history of scholarly investigation of the fawātiḥ – the

most consistent, thorough and astounding, not least since it is both testable by nature and

based on solid, observable fact.

This claim is completely devoid of any proud notions of being the only explanation for these

letters; that would do them no justice and simply cannot be true, not least since the

mysterious letters have already served a great purpose and continue to do so, captivating

both the hearts and minds of people for over fourteen centuries (despite the absence of a

clear-cut explanation, and in many cases, because of the absence of one!). Having said this, it

is nevertheless hoped that the illustrations will speak for themselves.

Without further ado, and as common as it may seem prima facie, this explanation revolves

around the numeric inimitability (al-i‘jāz al ‘adadī) of the Qur‖an. Though minds may

immediately turn to the largely flawed explanations of Rashād Khalifa10, or to the practice

of gematria, namely that of assigning a numerical value to every alphabetic letter,

reference here is actually in no way, shape or form to either of these.

Reference is in fact to the works of a Qur‖anic researcher from Syria by the name of Mr

AbdulDāem Al-Kaḥeel. Having written more than 40 publications on various subjects

related to the Qur‖an (all in Arabic), most of which are available online11, among his first

was Mu‘jizat al-Qur’an fī ‘asr al-Ma‘lūmātiyya (The Miracle of the Qur’an in the Age of

Information)12, released in 2002. It dealt, among other subjects, with the mysterious letters,

which will now be referred to as the ―special letters‖ (al-ḥurūf al-mumayyaza), and the

phrases which they create ―special phrases‖. This is not an unreasonable name, and one

which Al-Kaḥeel assigns to these letters in this earlier work.

Before proceeding, a critical point must be made. The main thrust of Al-Kaḥeel‖s research

of the Qur‖an‖s numbers is not the special letters per se; it encompasses the entire Qur‖an as

a whole13. He has meticulously studied a plethora of chapters, verses, words and letters

10 Despite his contrived theories, he has actually come up with a small amount of highly accurate findings. 11 Website: http://www.kaheel7.com/ar/; Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kaheel7; YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/kaheel7com. 12 AbdulDāem Al-Kaḥeel, Mu‘jizat al-Qur’an fī ‘asr al-Ma‘lūmātiyya, 2nd edn. Damascus: The Qur‖ān Miracles

Encyclopedia (2006), available online at: <URL: http://www.kaheel7.com/book/koranmiraclenew.doc>. 13 For this reason, some examples will have to be illustrated which do not relate directly to the fawātiḥ, in

order to appreciate more of his work. His research also extends well beyond studying Qur‖anic numbers into

studying, for example, various scientific phenomena in the Qur‖an. He has in fact hosted a show on Syrian TV

where he discussed these subjects, and is an active participant in many conferences around such topics.

http://www.kaheel7.com/ar/

http://www.facebook.com/kaheel7

http://www.youtube.com/user/kaheel7com

4

from the Qur‖an for well over ten years14, before coming to the conclusion that resting

within this scripture is an inevitable miracle of numbers, which is based centrally on the

number seven15. Indeed, while he has concerned himself a good deal with the special

letters, they form only a modest (though growing) portion of his extensive research of the

Qur‖an. Still, his findings have been truly illuminating to say the least.

The straightforward methodology he uses – which he clearly defines and consistently

follows in all of his works – is expounded well in his 2006 book, Ishrāqāt al-Raqam Sab‘a fī al-

Qur’an al-Karīm (The Marvels of the Number Seven in the Holy Qur’an)16, which received the

Dubai International Holy Qur‖an Award in that year. A brief summary will be attempted

here. Simply put, Al-Kaḥeel essentially relies on the concept of arranging (or aligning)

numbers according to the basic concept of positional, or place-value, notation. This is

unlike counting numbers (used only as a supplement to arranging them), which is the main

technique used by almost all other researchers of the Qur‖anic numbers.

APPLYING THE SIMPLE TECHNIQUE

To give a brief example of this basic method, consider the sentence ―I ate apples today‖. The

letter count of each of its words would produce the following arrangement:

I ate apples today

1 3 6 5

The number 1365 is a multiple of seven (195 x 7). Had the letters been merely added, the

final result would be fifteen, which is not a multiple of seven. The advantage and beauty of

this method is not only that it preserves the location of each word within a passage, but it

also implies that the numbers produced can potentially be massive, only adding to the

brilliance of the outcome when the number turns out to be a perfect, decimal-free multiple

of seven (or a multiple of other numbers connected to the Qur‖an).

While adding protects the total sum of letters, words, verses and chapters, it immediately

dilutes their exact details, which are needed to illustrate just how miraculous the Qur‖an is,

and just how precisely placed its chapters, verses, words and letters are. Indeed, though it

will require some effort, any individual can write a book whereby the total letter or word

14 Al-Kaḥeel began studying the Qur‖an around 1990, made the numeric discoveries around the year 2000, and

wrote his first book explaining many of his findings in 2002. 15 By no means is this the only miraculous number to feature in the Qur‖an, however, he clarifies. He points in

several works to the importance of other numbers, including eleven, thirteen, seventeen, nineteen, 23

(number of years of Qur‖anic revelation) 29 and 114, among others, as well as why these are important.

Nevertheless, he maintains that the basis of the Qur‖an‖s numeric miracle is the number seven. Notably,

much of these numbers are prime numbers, which only adds, perhaps, to the inimitability of the outcomes. 16 AbdulDāem Al-Kaḥeel, Ishrāqāt al-Raqam Sab‘a fī al-Qur’an al-Karīm. Dubai: Dubai International Holy Qur‖an

Award (2006), available online at: <URL: http://www.kaheel7.com/book/number_seven_in_quran.pdf>.

http://www.kaheel7.com/book/number_seven_in_quran.pdf

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count in most of its sentences is a multiple of seven (or any chosen number). It is in fact

highly probable that almost all the books ever written contain such multiples of seven.

That is no miracle, however.

A true miracle lies in placing each word in its intended location within a verse, assigning a

number to each word, making that arrangement, say, a multiple of seven, and doing so with

continuous success. The position and precise order of a word is therefore securely fastened

and captured by its respective numeric value. Clearly, this technique is extremely sensitive

to any kind of alteration. In other words, if a verse were to be edited or tampered with in

any way, the resulting number is likely to instantly lose its status as a multiple of seven,

though this may not necessarily change the total word or even letter count.

It must be noted, however, that there exists a fundamental flaw in applying this

methodology to the English language and most other languages, which is where the

uniqueness of Arabic is evident. That is, in the above sentence, the word ―today‖ is

the last word in the sentence, but is assigned the very first digit (i.e. five, which is in the

―ones‖ position) of the number 1365. Needless to say, the first word ―I‖ is assigned the last

digit of one, which is in the thousands position.

This inconsistency is completely averted in the Arabic language, which is one of the only

languages in the world where sentences are constructed from right to left (rather than vice

versa), thus causing words to synchronise beautifully with their corresponding numbers. In

other words, logically, the first word of a sentence always receives the first digit of a number

(ones place), the second receives the second digit (tens place), and so on.

By way of example, this method will be applied to the first verse of the Qur‖an, the basmala:

In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy! (1) [Al-Fātiḥa, 1:1]

Its four words will be written below along with a breakdown of its letters to facilitate

counting. Under each word, the respective letter count will be given:

(ا ؿ ر ح ي ـ)الرحيـ ( ا ؿ ر ح ـ ف)الرحمف ( ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)المو ( ب س ـ)بسـ

6 6 4 3

The resulting arrangement produces the number 6643, a multiple of seven (949 x 7).

To further clarify the simple logic behind the concept of positional notation, below is the

real value of each of the four digits above:

6


1000 x 6 + 100 x 6 + 10 x 4 + 1 x 3

6000 + 600 + 40 + 3

thousands hundreds tens ones

Thus the number 6643 is in fact comprised of:

6643 = 6000 + 600 + 40 + 3

How does this method permit an exploration of the special letters? It does so by virtue of

the fact that it allows for specific letters to be located within the words of any passage. These

may be the letters of any given special phrase, the letters of God‖s name, Allah (هللا) (or those

of other names for God), or even the letters of the basmala. All these in fact produce

outstanding results. Indeed, one important feature of Al-Kaḥeel‖s research is concerned,

for instance, with looking for the letters comprising God‖s name in Arabic, in particular

within verses which speak of God with a special kind of reverence, greatness and awe, or

contain statements that stand out as being especially inimitable.

Returning to the basmala (undoubtedly among the most important verses in the Qur‖an),

the three different letters making up the name of Allah are alif (أ), lām (ل) and hāʾ (هـــ)17.

Locating these letters in each word of the basmala produces the following outcome:

(ر ح ي ـ ا ؿ)الرحيـ ( ر ح ـ ف ا ؿ)الرحمف ( ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)المو ( ب س ـ)بسـ

2 2 4 0

The number 2240 is again a multiple of seven (320 x 7)18.

In the very same way, of course, for each chapter opening with a particular special phrase,

the letters of that particular phrase can be examined within the verses of its respective

chapter. For instance, the letters of the special phrase alm, found at the opening of six

chapters in the Qur‖an, can be investigated within the verses of each of these chapters.

While the above illustrations are rather elementary, the intention here is to firmly

establish the principle, and seeing that this is done, attention can soon shift to examining

the special letters vis-à-vis this technique. But before that, one may well ask: why the

number seven?

17 Note that Allah‖s name consists of four letters in total, with the lām (ل) repeated twice. 18 In fact, locating the letters making up the name of Allah in the entire first chapter produces the 31-digit

number 4202202120223020022012230322240, which is also a multiple of seven

(600314588603288574573175760320 x 7). Not only that, but there are 49 such letters in this chapter (7 x 7).

7

WHY SEVEN?

In his various works, Al-Kaḥeel points to the centrality of the number seven in the Qur‖an

and the sunna of the Prophet Muḥammad, the universe, and the daily lives of people in

general and Muslims in particular, presenting a bounty of examples where the number is

found in these contexts. He emphasises the fact that it is the most frequently cited number

in the sayings of the Prophet, and the most repeated in the Qur‖an, after the number one –

which is of course a vital number that symbolises the uniqueness and Oneness of God.

Professor Andrew Rippin notes the eminence of the number seven in the Qur‖an, especially

when it comes to signs of the universe, namely that seven ―is the number of the supra-

mundane world‖19.

Ibn ―Abbās is reported to have said the following to ―Umar, in an eloquent summary of the

significance of this number:

―God is odd in number and he likes odd numbers. Days of the universe turn

around seven, he created our sustenance out of seven, he created man out of

seven, above us he created seven skies20, below us he created seven layers of the

earth, he gave us the seven oft-repeated, he forbade marriage with seven

relatives in scripture, and he divided the legacy into seven parts, he confined

the numbers of bows of our bodies [in prayer] to seven, the messenger of God

walked around the Ka―aba seven times and between Al-Ṣafā and Al-Marwa seven

times, he threw seven stones [at Mina], and the night of glory is one of the last

seven nights of Ramadhān‖21.

As such, Al-Kaḥeel contemplates that since God‖s very creations, including an abundance of

splendid universal signs, seem to be undeniably centred on the number seven, could God‖s

own words in the form of the Holy Qur‖an – which is also His creation – be too centred on

the number seven22? After years of careful research, he finds this to be the case, but insists

that other numbers – as will also be seen – are miraculous too and cannot be disregarded.

CLEARLY DEFINED GUIDELINES

In the words of Professor J.D. McAuliffe,

―from very early times, the accurate transmission of the Qur‖an has been a

dogma of faith for Muslims ... Muslims believe ... that the Qur‖an they hear

recited today comprises exactly the same words as those revealed to the

Prophet Muḥammad. Each generation has safeguarded this divine gift by a

19 Andrew Rippin, ―Numbers and Enumeration‖, in The Encyclopaedia of the Qur’an, vol. 3, p. 552. 20 There are precisely seven citations of the phrase ―seven skies/heavens‖ in the Qur‖an; 2:29, 17:44, 23:86,

41:12, 65:12, 67:3, 71:15. 21 Rippin, ―Numbers and Enumeration‖, p 552. 22 Note that this number is also of much importance, and is frequently cited, in the Old and New Testaments.

8

faultless oral conveyance (tawātur) to the next, a conveyance assured by the

cultivated precision of the rules of recitation‖23.

First and foremost, Al-Kaḥeel sets out clear guidelines regarding how to count the Qur‖an‖s

words and letters, and firmly adheres to them throughout his works. He stresses the

importance of examining words precisely as they appear in the Qur‖an, partly because many

Qur‖anic words are quite uniquely written, and slightly differ from their equivalents in

standard Arabic (these subtle differences are often crucial). A few examples will be shown

later on. The exact order of the Qur‖an‖s chapters and verses is also strictly followed.

Whilst recognising that multiple narratives or readings (riwāyāt; qirā’āt) exist24, he adopts

by far the most popular and most widely spread narrative of Ḥafṣ from ―Āṣim, which is

based upon the early ―Uthmānic script; that is, how the Qur‖an was written during the time

of the Prophet Muḥammad and later compiled into a single muṣḥaf (codex; collection of

pages) – with copies distributed across the Muslim world – under the rule of ―Uthmān ibn

―Affān, the third caliph to succeed the Prophet and one of his close companions. The

―Uthmānic Codex “has been recognised throughout the Muslim world for the last fourteen

centuries as the authentic document of the Qur‖an as revealed to the Prophet

Muḥammad25”. As Al-A―ẓamī explains in The History of the Qur’anic Text From Revelation to

Compilation, ――Uthmān‖s personal copy is perfectly congruent with the present Muṣḥaf

circulating in our hands‖, adding the footnote: ―by which I mean the narrative of Ḥafṣ from

―Āṣim‖26. Furthermore, Al-Kaḥeel asserts that the Qur‖an‖s numeric inimitability is in fact 23 Jane Dammen McAuliffe, ―The Persistent Power of the Qur‖an‖, Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society,

147: 4 (2003), 339-346, p. 341. 24 See, e.g.: Al-Kaḥeel, Ishrāqāt, pp. 37-38; pp. 234-237 and AbdulDāem Al-Kaḥeel, Mawsū‘at al-I‘jāz al-Raqamī

(2006), pp. 57-59, available online at: <URL: http://kaheel7.com/ar/book/Miracle-Quran-Numeric-7.pdf>. 25 Abdel Ḥaleem, The Qur’an, p. xvi. 26 Muḥammad Muṣṭafā Al-A―ẓamī, The History of the Qur’anic Text from Revelation to Compilation: A Comparative

Study with the Old and New Testaments. Leicester: UK Islamic Academy (2003), p. 98. In fact, Al-Suyūṭī quotes

Zaid ibn Thābit, one of the most important figures during the Qur‖an‖s collection process, who explains that:

(القراءة سنة متبعة) “the qirā’at is a sunna that is strictly adhered to” (Al-Suyūṭī, al-Itqān, vol. 1, p. 153). In other

words, ―knowledge of correct qirā’āt (the science of proper recitation) comes from the Prophet himself, a

sunna which dictates the manner of reciting each verse. Aspects of this are intrinsically linked with the

Qur‖anic revelations: the text was revealed verbally, and by promulgating it verbally the Prophet

simultaneously provided both text and pronunciation to his community. Neither can be divorced from the

other‖ (Al-A―ẓamī, The History, p. 152). This is confirmed by the fact that the Qur‖an often calls itself kitāb

(كتاب) ; that is, ―writing‖ or ―book‖ (i.e. ―the written book‖). Therefore, “the significance of uttering and writing

the revealed scripture is emphasised from the very beginning of Islam, and is locked in the very nouns that

designate the Qur‖an” (Abdel Ḥaleem, The Qur’an, p. xv; see also Al-A―ẓamī, The History, p. 67). Also, notably,

the Qur‖an is said to have been revealed in seven dialects (سبعة أحرف) , and aḥruf (أحرف) literally means ―letters‖.

Scholarly consensus is that this was mainly ―to facilitate the Qur‖an‖s recitation for those who were

unaccustomed to the Quraishi dialect. Such a concession was granted through the grace of Allah‖ (Al-A―ẓamī,

The History, p. 154).

http://kaheel7.com/ar/book/Miracle-Quran-Numeric-7.pdf

9

found in all the various readings, and that since the differences between them are trivial,

the results of his studies apply to a very large extent to all the other readings as well.

Undoubtedly, of course, modern prints contain diacritical marks (mainly facilitating

pronunciation) not previously used during the Prophet‖s life, such as the hamza (ء), for

instance, which is a relatively recent orthographic addition that was never written at the

time. As such, it cannot be counted as a letter. Also, in order to remain consistent

throughout his works, Al-Kaḥeel clarifies that when counting letters, any letter which

appears in the Qur‖an (whether or not it is pronounced) will be counted as a letter, and any

letter which does not appear in the Qur‖an (whether or not it is pronounced) will of course

not be counted as a letter. That being said, he notes that when it comes to counting words,

there are actually two ways in which this can be done: (1) counting words as they are

written in the Qur‖an (the method he follows) or (2) counting them as they are pronounced

(still being researched, and he has already produced a few studies; one will be shown), and

that both produce outstanding outcomes.

Such details and more, including how to count the repetitions of words across the Qur‖an

and how to count specific letters which appear in various forms and hence might require a

degree of prudence (especially for non-Arabic readers), are thoroughly outlined in Al-

Kaḥeel‖s abovementioned 2006 book. However, there are three particular letters which

tend to appear quite diversely, and hence ought to be shown here.

First, the alif (أ) takes the following forms in the Qur‖an:

ا أ إ آ ءاThe yā’ (ي) takes the following forms:

ىــــ ئــــ ـــئـــ ـــىـــ ي ى ئFinally, the hā’ (هـــ) appears in the following forms:

هــ ـــه ـــة ةFor all the illustrations in this study, however, I have intentionally broken down the letters

of every word being analysed in order to make it easier for readers to count.

On that note, the illustrations in this entire work have deliberately been presented as

transparently and comprehensively as possible. This not only makes them much easier to

follow (for both Arabic and non-Arabic readers), but also means that they are susceptible to

scrutiny by all who read them. Having said this, and regarding all the numbers that will

soon be presented – many of which are rather massive – readers are almost certainly

assured of their complete accuracy, as they have been carefully checked time and time

10

again. Yet I have no right to claim perfection, and as such, bear full responsibility for any

potential mistakes. If any are found (though unlikely), these will be innocent ones.

In other words, I have never dared alter (or so much as tweak) a single Qur‖anic letter in

hopes of achieving a consistent or desired result (a few researchers of the Qur‖an‖s numbers

have unfortunately done this), and neither does Al-Kaḥeel in his various works, as I have

checked numerous times myself. Doing so is not only unnecessary (the outcomes are

astounding the way they are anyway!), but would be downright dishonest, can easily be

checked, and would contradict and escape the very teachings of the Qur‖an. Nevertheless,

readers wishing to obtain the comfort of double-checking any example – or, better yet,

doing the counting themselves from scratch (an exercise I thoroughly enjoy) – have every

right to do so, and do not have to take my word or Al-Kaḥeel‖s for granted.

Worth noting is that the letter wāw (و), whenever it means ―and‖ or is used as an oath, is

counted as a separate word and not part of the word that precedes or follows it. This

treatment is sensible not merely since wāw in these contexts has a distinct meaning of its

own, nor simply because ―and‖ is a word of its own in almost all (if not all) world languages.

Crucially, in fact, even during the time of the Prophet (as is the case today), Al-Kaḥeel

explains, this word was never joined to the word which came before or after it. To give a

brief example, the phrase (و عسى) ―and Jesus‖, consists of two words: the single-lettered (و)

―and‖, as well as (عسى) ―Jesus‖, even if they happen to be written without any spaces as such

(وعسى) , because even so, the letter wāw (و) does not attach to the word (عسى) as does, for

instance, the letter lām (ل) in the single word (لعسى) ―for Jesus‖. Such is the way in which Al-

Kaḥeel treats the wāw – in the context of ―and‖ or an oath – across all his works, but he

explains that deeming it part of the word that follows it (which is how Arabic linguists

generally tend to treat it) is also correct and produces brilliant results too.

THE SLEEPERS OF THE CAVE27: A CAPTIVATING NUMBER

Al-Kaḥeel further justifies the rationale for considering the wāw (in the abovementioned

contexts) an independent word28 using a prolific example related to the number 309 and

the story of the People of the Cave from chapter eighteen, Surat Al-Kahf (Chapter: The

Cave). In brief, this Qur‖anic parable tells of a group of people who remained in a cave for

309 years29. The word labithū (لبثوا) , which means ―they stayed‖ or ―they had been‖ (i.e. in the

cave), is mentioned three times in this chapter. Intriguingly, the first time this word is

27 A different account of this story is found in Christian tradition (the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus). 28 Al-Kaḥeel, Ishrāqāt, pp. 55-61. 29 There are varius interpretations of the statement found in verse 25, namely that ―“The sleepers stayed in

their cave for three hundred years,” some added nine more.‖ (or ―add nine‖ in other translations). Some

contend that this means 300 solar years, which for the Arabs is taken to be the equivalent of 309 lunar years,

as every 100 solar years equate to 103 lunar years; others say that this is the timeframe alleged by people who

told the story. In any case, what matters here is that the number 309 is mentioned, and is therefore of

relevance to the story that the Qur‖an recounts.

11

mentioned is in the twelfth verse, and the very wording of this verse – which talks about

working out (or calculating, as in many English translations) the length of their stay30 –

may have been what prompted Al-Kaḥeel to perform a rather peculiar and cumbersome

exercise:

Then We woke them so that We could make clear which of the two parties was better able

to work out how long they had been there. (12) [Al-Kahf, 18:12]

The very last time the word labithū is mentioned is in the 26th verse:

Say [Prophet], ―God knows best how long they stayed.‖ His is the knowledge of all that is

hidden in the heavens and earth– How well He sees! How well He hears!– and they have no

one to protect them other than Him; He does not allow anyone to share His rule. (26) [Al-

Kahf, 18:26]

Incredibly, Al-Kaḥeel discovers that the number of words from – and including – the very

first citation of labithū up to the very last citation of labithū is precisely 309, denoting the

exact length of time in which ―they stayed‖ (labithū!) in the cave! As readers probably should

do, I have manually counted every word myself – more than once – to verify, because I

initially found this very difficult to believe. Not only that, but the phrase ―three hundred‖

(ثالث مائة) , which is found in the passage, consists of two words, of course, namely ―three‖

(ثالث) and ―hundred‖ (مائة) . Amazingly, these two words are, respectively, the 299th and 300th

words of this passage!

Astoundingly, that is not all. The twelfth verse, which speaks about which party was better

able to work out how long they had stayed, seems to hint at the possibility that there is more

than one way in which the number 309 may be found (and God knows best). This indeed

turns out to be the case. One in fact needs to go back to the very beginning of the story,

which commences in the ninth verse:

30 Interestingly, the question of how long these people stayed in the cave is something of a theme in the

Qur‖an‖s story, and is brought up on more than one occasion. In the nineteenth verse, for instance, the

sleepers, upon waking up, begin to ask this amongst themselves, but eventually surrender: ―... One of them

asked, “How long have you been here?” and [some] answered, “A day or part of a day,” but then [others] said,

“Your Lord knows best how long you have been here ...”‖ [Al-Kahf, 18:19].

12

[Prophet], do you find the Companions in the Cave and al-Raqim31 so wondrous, among all

Our other signs? (9) [Al-Kahf, 18:9]

The exact number of words from the very beginning of the above verse to the very end of the

following verse, the 22nd verse, is 309. However, the sheer magnificence of this profound

result lies not only in the fact that this 22nd verse comes before the one which even

mentions 309 (i.e. verse 25), but also in that it very specifically mentions God‖s knowledge

about the People of the Cave, and orders the Prophet to consult absolutely no one about

their state of affairs, for their tale is one which very few have any knowledge about:

[Some] say, ―The sleepers were three, and their dog made four,‖ others say, ―They were five,

and the dog made six‖– guessing in the dark– and some say, ―They were seven, and their dog

made eight.‖ Say [Prophet], ―My Lord knows best how many they were.‖ Only a few have real

knowledge about them, so do not argue, but stick to what is clear, and do not ask any of

these people about them. (22) [Al-Kahf, 18:22]

To help readers verify the results, below are verses nine through to 26 (the entire story),

which are all numbered and appear as they do in the Qur‖an, except that they are shown

without most diacritical marks, to make them clearer. A symbol clearly separates each

word. The markers for the first example – first labithū (لبثوا) to last labithū, including the

words ―three‖ (ثالث) and ―hundred‖ (مائة) – are shown in blue. The markers for the second

example (beginning of verse nine to end of verse 22) are in green. Alternatively, readers

may wish to count these words from the Qur‖an itself:

* ر إ( * 8) عججب* ايزبء* * وبا* اشلي * * اىف* صحت أ* أ* حسجذ * مأ

* ب *ئ ي* *خ سح* ذه * * ارب ء * سثب* فمبا * اىف * إ* خ افزي* أ

ث( * 00) عذدا * سي* اىف * ف * اراء* ع * فعشثب( * 01) اسشذ * شبأ *

31 ―Al-Raqim is variously interpreted as being the name of the mountain in which the cave was situated, the

name of their dog, or an inscription bearing their names‖ (Abdel Ḥaleem, The Qur’an, p. 183).

13

عيه* مص * ح* (01) ذاأ * لبثوا * ب * حصأ * احضثي* أ * ع * ثعث *

* سثطب* * (02) ذ * صد * * ثشث * ااء* خفزي * إ * ثبحك * أج *

* ذعا * * سض األ * * اسد * سة * سثب * فمبا * لبا * رإ * لث * ع

* د* * ارخزا * لب *ء الؤ* (03) * شططب * راإ * لب * مذ * بإ* د *

* هللا * ع * افزش* * ظأ * ف * ثي* ثسط * عي * رأي * ال *خ اء

يشش * اىف * إ* ا أف * هللا * الإ* يعجذ * ب* * اعزضز * رإ* * (04) وزثب

* رش* * (05) شفمب* شو أ * * ى *ئ يي* * سحز * * سثى * ى *

* رمشظ * غشثذ * راإ * * ايي * راد * وف * ع * رضس * غعذ * راإ * اشس

* هللا * يذ * * هللا * ايذء * * ره * *ح فج * ف * * * اشبي * راد

* رحسج * * (06) ششذا * يب * * رجذ * ف * يع * * * ازذ * ف

ثسػ * وج* * اشبي * راد* * ايي * راد * مج* * سلد * * * يمبظبأ

* * ذئ* * فشاسا * * يذ * عي * اغعذ* * ثبصيذ * رساعي *

لبا * جثز* و * * ئلب * لبي * ثي * اءيزسب* ثعث * وزه * ( * 07) سعجب

* حذوأ * فبثعثا * جثز * ثب * عأ * سثى * لبا * ي * ثعط * أ * يب * جثب *

* * * ثشصق * رىأفي * غعبب * صوأ * يبأ * فيظش *خ اذي * إ * ز * ثسلى

أ * يشجو * عيى * يظشا* إ * إ ( *08) حذاأ * ثى * يشعش * ال* * يزطف

* عي * عثشبأ * وزه * ( * 11)ثذا أ * راإ * رفحا* * * ز* ف * يعيذو *

* يزضع * رإ * فيب * سيت * ال *خ اسبع* أ* * حك * هللا * عذ* أ * ايع

* غجا * ازي * لبي * ث * عأ * سث * ثيب * عي* اثا * فمبا * شأ * ثي

* * وج * ساثع *خ ثث * سيم( * 10) سجذا * عي * زخز * شأ * ع

* ثب* *خ سجع * يم * * ثبغيت* سجب * وج * سبدس *خ خس * يم

* الإ * في * ربس * فال * لي * الإ * يع * ب * ثعذر * عأ* سث * ل * وج

* ءشب * رم * ال* * (11) حداأ * * في * رسزفذ * ال* * ظشا *ء شا

* سيذ * راإ* سثه * اروش * * هللا *ء يشب* أ * الإ( * 12) غذا * ره * فبع * إ

* ف * جثا* * (13) سشذا * زا * * لشةأل * سث * يذي * أ * عس * ل*

لبثوا * ثب * عأ * هللا* ل ( * 14) رسعب* اصدادا * * سي * ئةما* ثلث* وف

* د * * * ب * سعأ* * ث * ثصش أ* سض األ* * اسد * غيت * *

(15) حذاأ * حى * ف* يششن * ال* * *

Worth pointing out is that one could have simply taken the word ―nine‖ (تسعا) , counted 309

words before it, and claimed to have arrived at an astounding result. The wonderful

wisdom, however, behind the Qur‖an‖s perfect choice and placement of words far

transcends this, as seen above. Beautifully, the number 309 surfaced from two different

14

sets of verses, with completely different beginnings and endings. An additional layer of

beauty about these examples is that regardless whether the Qur‖an is studied as it is written

or as it is recited, the exact number of words always remains unchanged, if only because the

written form of the Qur‖an is nothing but a visible specimen of its verbal counterpart!

THE QUR‖AN AS IT IS PRONOUNCED: A GLORIOUS EXAMPLE

Some may wonder why Al-Kaḥeel has chosen to focus mainly on the Qur‖an as it is written

rather than as it is pronounced or recited. After all, and despite the fact that the Qur‖an

also refers to itself as kitāb (something written), ―indicating that it must be placed into

written form‖32, it was nevertheless revealed verbally. In fact, the very word Qur‖an

literally means ―recitation‖ or ―that which is recited‖.

The primary reason for this is not only that there are various different ways of reciting the

Qur‖an and uttering its words, but also because effectively communicating this to readers –

especially those with no knowledge of Arabic whatsoever – is a more daunting task than

that of explaining something which is clearly written. Furthermore, examining the Qur‖an

exactly as it is pronounced, whilst not impossible, is a slightly awkward exercise: drawing a

parallel example in English, this actually means that words like ―castle‖, ―Wednesday‖,

―tongue‖ and ―honest‖ would unfortunately have to be studied as ―kasul‖, ―Wenzdey‖, ―tung‖

and ―onist‖! Being a phonetic language, however, Arabic does not suffer as severe a

dilemma, because spelling usually, but not always, matches pronunciation.

Despite all this, Al-Kaḥeel points out that the Qur‖an‖s numeric inimitability most certainly

exists even in terms of literal pronunciation, and again, the example of the basmala will

illustrate this33. When studying the basmala as it is pronounced, he in fact discovers that

the number eleven, not the number seven, is particularly astounding. Below is the basmala,

shown first in terms of how it is normally written, and under this, how it is pronounced:

الرحيـ الرحمف المو بسـ

ر ر ح ي ـ ر ر ح ـ ا ف ؿ ؿ ا ىػ ب س ـ

The number of pronounced letters in each word creates the following arrangement:

ر ر ح ي ـ ر ر ح ـ ا ف ؿ ؿ ا ىػ ب س ـ

5 6 4 3

The number 5643 is a multiple of eleven (513 x 11).

32 Al-A―ẓamī, The History, p. 67. 33 Taken from: AbdulDāem Al-Kaḥeel, ―I―jāz al-Raqam 11 fī Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥeem‖, available online at

<URL: http://www.numericmiracle.com/articles>.

http://www.numericmiracle.com/articles

15

However, that is not all. As readers can see from the above arrangement, studying the

basmala as it is pronounced affords the added (albeit wonderful) complication of having to

worry about the diacritics situated on top or at the bottom of each letter, because these

instruct reciters on how to correctly articulate every letter. The sounds these markings

represent are not important here. Below is an enlarged illustration of the three different

markings (all known as ḥarakāt, or vowel marks) found in the letters of the basmala, along

with their names (the dotted circles indicate where letters would be placed):

The Fatḥa The Sukūn The Kasrah

Magnificently, locating the letters pertaining to each different diacritic on its own

produces a multiple of eleven on each occasion! To begin with, the following arrangement

arises from counting only the letters through which the kasrah sound is pronounced:

ـ ي ح ر ر ف ر ر ح ـ ا ىػؿ ؿ ا ـ س ب

2 1 1 2


Locating, now, only letters through which the sukūn sound is made gives:

ـ ي ر ح ر ف ا ـ ح ر ر ىػ ا ؿ ؿ ـ س ب

2 3 2 1


Finally, finding the letters producing only the fatḥa sound creates this result:

ح ي ـ ر ر ا ف ـ ح ر ر ا ىػ ؿ ؿ ب س ـ

1 2 1 0

The number 1210 is indeed a multiple of eleven (110 x 11)!

Strangely, even examining the number of dots on every letter creates a multiple of eleven!

Despite evidence that such skeletal dots were known to the Arabs prior to Islam34, these

dots were nevertheless formally introduced and adopted after the Qur‖an was completely

revealed, and many years after the Prophet‖s death:

34 Al-A―ẓamī, The History, p. 135-139.

16

ـ ي ر ر ح ف ر ر ح ـ ا ؿ ؿ ا ىػ س ـ ب

2 1 0 1

2101 is a multiple of eleven (191 x 11).

FOUR KEY NUMBERS

Al-Kaḥeel relies on the four essential numbers that can be extracted from any Qur‖anic

passage: its chapter number, verse number, word count and letter count (despite focusing

most on the letter count). He often arranges these four values into a single number.

Returning to the basmala, its four main numbers, respectively, are one, one, four and

nineteen. These can be arranged as follows:


Letter count Word count Verse number Chapter number

19 4 1 1

The resulting number, 19411, is again a multiple of seven (2773 x 7). This phenomenon

repeats itself in a large collection of significant Qur‖anic verses and chapters, including, for

instance, the Qur‖an‖s last verse (Q. 114:6), the Throne Verse (Āyat Al-Kursī) (Q. 2:255) and

the verse which asks its readers to ponder upon the Qur‖an with attention, affirming its

divine message (Q. 4:82). Needless to say, the above order, which begins with the chapter

number and ends with the letter count (right to left Arabic reading order, of course), is

followed in all of Al-Kaḥeel‖s works, and is perfectly logical, not least because chapters

house verses, verses house words, and words in turn house letters.

THE FIRST REVELATION, AND THE LAST REVEALED CHAPTER

A couple more examples will be given before embarking on our journey with the special

letters. The first is that of the opening five verses of Surat Al-‘Alaq (Chapter: The Clinging

Form35), which marked a complete turning point in the life of the Prophet Muḥammad, and

the very first of many revelations to be received by him:

35 ―A stage in the development of a foetus, i.e. embryo. ‘Alaq can also mean anything that clings: a clot of

blood, a leech, even a lump of mud. All these meanings involve the basic idea of clinging or sticking. Clinging

indicates a state of total dependence ...‖ (Abdel Ḥaleem, The Qur’an, p. 428).

17

Read! In the name of your Lord who created: (1) He created man from a clinging form. (2)

Read! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One (3) who taught by [means of] the pen, (4) who

taught man what he did not know. (5) [Al-―Alaq, 96:1-5]

The arrangement representing the letter count of each word is as follows:

(ا ؿ ذ ي)ى الذ (ر ب ؾ) ربؾ (ب ا س ـ) باسـ (ا ؽ ر أ) اقرأ

4 3 4 4

نسف (خ ؿ ؽ) خمؽ (خ ؿ ؽ) خمؽ (ـ ف) مف (ا ؿ إ ف س ف) ال

2 6 3 3

(ر ب ؾ) ربؾ ( و) و (ا ؽ ر أ) اقرأ (ع ؿ ؽ) عمؽ

3 1 4 3

(ب ا ؿ ؽ ؿ ـ) بالقمـ (ع ؿ ـ) عمـ (ا ؿ ذ ي)ى الذ (ا ؿ أ ؾ ر ـ) الكرـ

6 3 4 6

نسف (ع ؿ ـ) عمـ (س ف ا ؿ إ ف) ال

6 3

(ي ع ؿ ـ) يعمـ (ؿ ـ) لـ (ـ ا) ما

4 2 2

The number 422636346314326334344 is a multiple of seven (60376620902046619192 x 7).

It is worth pointing out that the word Al-Insān (اإلنسان) , meaning ―man‖ (applies to men and

women, and more prudently means ―the human‖) is found twice in the above verses, and is

written slightly differently in the Qur‖an (compared to standard Arabic):

Qur‖anic Arabic Standard Arabic

نسناإل نااإلنس

Had the extra alif (أ) in the standard form of the word been found in the above verses, the

resulting arrangement would have failed to produce a multiple of seven.

18

The next example is that of Surat Al-Naṣr (Chapter: Help; Divine Support), one of the

shortest chapters in the Qur‖an and among the last chapters (if not the last) to be revealed

to the Prophet before his death:

When God‖s help comes and He opens up your way [Prophet], (1) when you see people

embracing God‖s faith in crowds, (2) celebrate the praise of your Lord and ask His

forgiveness: He is always ready to accept repentance. (3) [Al-Naṣr, 110]

Again, arranging the letter count of each word of this chapter creates the following:

(و) و (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو (ف ص ر) نصر (ج ا) جاء (إ ذ ا) إذا

1 4 3 2 3

(ا ؿ ف ا س) الناس (ر أ ي ت) رأيت ( و) و (ا ؿ ؼ ت ح) الفتح

5 4 1 5

(ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو (د ي ف) ديف (ؼ ي)ى ف (ي د خ ؿ و ف) يدخموف

4 3 2 6

(ر ب ؾ) ربؾ (ب ح ـ د) بحمد (ؼ س ب ح) فسبح (أ ؼ و ا ج ا ) أفواجا

3 4 4 6

(إ ف ىػػػ) إنو (ا س ت غ ؼ ر ىػػػ) استغفره ( و) و

3 7 1

(ت و ا ب ا ) توابا (ؾ ا ف) كاف

5 3


BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL LETTERS

Although 29 chapters begin with a special phrase, altogether, there are fourteen different

special phrases in the Qur‖an, meaning that the same special phrase is often repeated at the

19

beginning of more than one chapter. For reference, the special phrases, along with the

chapters to which they belong, are given below:

alm (الم) : 2, 3, 29, 30, 31, 32.

almṣ (المص) : 7.

alr (الر) : 10, 11, 12, 14, 15.

almr (المر) : 13.

khy―ṣ (كهعص) : 19.

ṭh (طه) : 20.

ṭsm (طسم) : 26, 28.

ṭs (طس) : 27.

ys (س) : 36.

ṣ (ص) : 38.

ḥm (حم) : 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46.

ḥm ―sq (حم عسق) : 42.

q (ق) : 50.

n (ن) : 68.

As seen from the list above, some special phrases are one-letter long, others two, three, and

four letters long, in addition to a five-letter phrase36, namely khy‘ṣ (كهعص) . Though ḥm ‘sq

(حم عسق) – which will later be looked at in depth – is also five letters in length, it is in fact,

exceptionally, two special phrases and not one; that is, ḥm (حم) , which is the first verse of

chapter 42, and ‘sq (عسق) , the second verse.

With this in mind, the first arrangement pertaining to the special letters can now be

presented. It comes about by noting the number of special letters found at the beginning of

each chapter of the Qur‖an. For example, the first chapter in the Qur‖an does not open with

any special letters, and is thus assigned the number zero, meaning that the first digit of this

arrangement will be zero. The second chapter opens with three special letters (alm), and

hence receives the number three, which is the second digit of this arrangement, and so on.

The final chapter to open with a special phrase is the 68th, and opens with one special letter

(n), giving it the number one. Since it is the final chapter to open with a special phrase, the

36 At least one special phrase from each of these five length categories will be explored in this paper. All 29

chapters, however, contain astounding arrangements connected to the number seven.

20

number to be constructed will be 68 digits long, because the remaining chapters after it

simply receive the number zero (the above list can help construct this number).

The following illustration further clarifies (note that ―c‖ denotes ―chapter‖):

Number of special letters at the beginning of each chapter of the Qur‖an

c20 c19 c18 c17 c16 c15 c14 c13 c12 c11 c10 c9 c8 c7 c6 c5 c4 c3 c2 c1

2 5 0 0 0 3 3 4 3 3 3 0 0 4 0 0 0 3 3 0

c38 c37 c36 c35 c34 c33 c32 c31 c30 c29 c28 c27 c26 c25 c24 c23 c22 c21

1 0 2 0 0 0 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 0 0 0 0 0

c56 c55 c54 c53 c52 c51 c50 c49 c48 c47 c46 c45 c44 c43 c42 c41 c40 c39

0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 5 2 2 0

c114 c113 <<<< c71 c70 c69 c68 c67 c66 c65 c64 c63 c62 c61 c60 c59 c58 c57

0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

The 68-digit number which results from the above arrangement is

10000000000000000010002222522010200033333230000025000334333004000330.

Astoundingly, this number is a perfect, decimal-free multiple of seven37

(1428571428571428572857460360287171433333318571432142904904714857190 x 7)!

It seems that an initial explanation has been found, which at least partly justifies why

certain phrases of specific lengths are located at the openings of each of these 29 chapters

in particular. The incredible sensitivity of the above arrangement cannot be emphasised

enough. In other words, had the precise length or exact location of these phrases been

only slightly different to that prescribed by the Qur‖an, the result would have been a

number with endless decimals. This would have happened, for instance, if the special

phrase n (ن) was found in the 67th and not the 68th chapter, if it had been two letters in

length, or if four zero‖s, not three, had come between the 50th digit and the 46th! This fine-

tuned and supremely delicate detail is to be expected in all of the forthcoming illustrations.

A central number which indeed appears to be intrinsically connected to these special

letters – as will soon be seen – is the number seven. It is useful to note that there are

fourteen special phrases in total, and fourteen, of course, is a multiple of seven (2 x 7). Yet

37 Interestingly, this number is also a multiple of thirteen, a number which Al-Kaḥeel also insists is of

importance in the Qur‖an (however, the number seven seems to feature more prominently)! He has in fact

already released a few studies which deal with the inimitable nature of this number both in the context of the

special letters and the Qur‖an in general.

21

moreover, the different letters making up these phrases are also fourteen, which is half the

number of letters in the Arabic alphabet38:

ن ق ح س ط ع ي هـــ ك ر ص م ل ا

ALM IN THE FIRST AND LAST QUR‖ANIC CHAPTERS

Al-Kaḥeel examines the arrangement of the special phrase alm in every word of both the

first and last chapters of the Qur‖an, namely Al-Fātiḥa (The Opening) and Al-Nās (People).

Beginning with Al-Fātiḥa, its seven verses are as follows:

In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy! (1) Praise belongs to God, Lord of

the Worlds, (2) the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy, (3) Master of the Day of Judgement.

(4) It is You we worship; it is You we ask for help. (5) Guide us to the straight path: (6) the

path of those You have blessed, those who incur no anger and who have not gone astray.

(7) [Al-Fātiḥa, 1]

The number of alif (أ), lām (ل) and mīm (م) letters in every word of this chapter produces the

following arrangement:

(ـر ح ي ا ؿ )الرحيـ ( ف ـر ح ا ؿ )الرحمف ( ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ)المو ( ـب س )بسـ

3 3 3 1

(ي ف ـ ؿ عا ؿ )العمميف ( ر ب)رب ( ىػػػ ؿ ؿ)لمو ( د ـح ا ؿ )الحمد

4 0 2 3

(ـي و )يوـ ( ؾـ ؿ )ممؾ ( ـر ح ي ا ؿ )الرحيـ ( ف ـر ح ا ؿ )الرحمف

1 2 3 3

38 It is indeed interesting that the total number of letters that define and comprise the Arabic language itself is

28, a multiple of seven (4 x 7).

22

(و)و ( ف ع ب د)نعبد ( ؾ اي إ)إياؾ ( د ي ف ا ؿ)الديف

0 0 2 2

(اىػػػ د ف ا)اىدنا ( ف س ت ع ي ف)نستعيف ( ؾ اي إ)إياؾ

2 0 2

رط ـ ( ص ر ط ا ؿ)الص (ص ر ط)صرط ( ـس ت ؽ ي ا ؿ ـ)المستقي

0 4 2

ـ ( ت ـف ع أ)أنعمت ( ذ ي ف ا ؿ)الذيف (غ ي ر)غير ( ـي ىػػػ ؿع )عميي

0 2 2 2

ـ ( غ ض و ب ا ؿ ـ)المغضوب ( و)و ( ـي ىػػػ ؿع )عميي

0 2 3

اليف ( ؿ ا)ل (ي ف ا ؿض ا ؿ)الض

4 2

Despite the size of this result, the 31-digit number 4202302220422020022123340233331 is a

perfect multiple of seven (600328888631717146017620033333 x 7).

Moreover, the total number of alif (أ), lām (ل) and mīm (م) letters in this entire chapter is 22,

22 and fifteen respectively:

mīm (ـ) lām (ؿ) alif (أ)

15 22 22

The above three sums produce 152222, a multiple of seven (21746 x 7).

Not only that, but the digit sum of the number 152222 is also a multiple of seven (1 + 5 + 2 +

2 + 2 + 2 = 14 = 2 x 7). This is one example where adding numbers is only a complimentary

technique to that of arranging them.

The final chapter of the Qur‖an, Surat Al-Nās, is shown below:

23

Say, ―I seek refuge with the Lord of people, (1) the King (or Master) of people, (2) the God of

people, (3) against the harm of the slinking whisperer––(4) who whispers into the hearts of

people––(5) whether they be jinn or people.‖ (6) [Al-Nās, 114]

Applying the same method of looking for alm in each word of this chapter gives rise to the

following:

(س اف ا ؿ )الناس ( ب ر ب)برب ( ع و ذ أ)أعوذ ( ؿؽ )قؿ

3 0 1 1

(س اف ا ؿ )الناس ( ىػػػإ ؿ )إلو ( س اف ا ؿ )الناس ( ؾـ ؿ )ممؾ

3 2 3 2

(س اخ ف ا ؿ )الخناس ( س او س و ا ؿ )الوسواس ( ش ر)شر ( ف ـ)مف

3 3 0 1

( ؼ ي) ىف ( ي و س و س)يوسوس ( ذ يا ؿ ) ىالذ

0 0 2

( ف ـ)مف ( س اف ا ؿ )الناس ( ص د و ر)صدور

1 3 0

(س اف ا ؿ )الناس ( و)و ( ج ف ىػػػا ؿ )الجنة

3 0 2


THE ASTOUNDING ARRANGEMENT OF ALM ACROSS THE QUR‖AN

Part of Al-Kaḥeel‖s research examines the precise location of the six chapters beginning

with alm not only with respect to the entire Qur‖an, but also in relation to the 29 chapters

that begin with a special phrase. These 29 chapters are listed below, in their order of

appearance in the Qur‖an (the alm chapters are marked in blue):

24

1- Surat Al-Baqara (Chapter: The Cow) opens with the three letters alm (الـم) .

2- Surat Al-―Imrān (Chapter: The Family of ―Imrān) opens with alm (الـم) .

3- Surat Al-A―rāf (Chapter: The Heights) opens with the four letters almṣ (الـمـص) .

4- Surat Yūnus (Chapter: Jonah) opens with alr (الـر) .

5- Surat Hūd (Chapter: Hūd) opens with alr (الـر) .

6- Surat Yūsuf (Chapter: Joseph) opens with alr (الـر) .

7- Surat Al-Ra―d (Chapter: Thunder) opens with almr (الـمـر) .

8- Surat Ibrāhīm (Chapter: Abraham) opens with alr (الـر) .

9- Surat Al-Ḥijr (Chapter: Stoneland) opens with alr (الـر) .

10- Surat Maryam (Chapter: Mary) opens with the five letters khy‘ṣ (كهعص) .

11- Surat Ṭā Hā (Chapter: Ṭā Hā) opens with the two letters ṭh (طه) .

12- Surat Al-Shu―arā‖ (Chapter: The Poets) opens with ṭsm (طسم) .

13- Surat Al-Naml (Chapter: The Ants) opens with ṭs (طس) .

14- Surat Al-Qaṣaṣ (Chapter: Stories) opens with ṭsm (طسم) .

15- Surat Al-―Ankabūt (Chapter: The Spider) opens with alm (الـم) .

16- Surat Al-Rūm (Chapter: The Byzantines) opens with alm (الـم) .

17- Surat Luqmān (Chapter: Luqmān) opens with alm (الـم) .

18- Surat Al-Sajda (Chapter: The Prostration) opens with alm (الـم) .

19- Surat Yā Sīn (Chapter: Yā Sīn) opens with ys (س) .

20- Surat Ṣād (Chapter: Ṣād) opens with the single letter ṣ (ص) .

21- Surat Ghāfir (Chapter: The Forgiver) opens with ḥm (حم) .

22- Surat Fuṣṣilat (Chapter: [Verses] Made Distinct) opens with ḥm (حم) .

23- Surat Al-Shūra (Chapter: Consultation) opens with two sets of special phrases: ḥm

(حم) in the first verse and the three letters ‘sq (عسق) in the second.

24- Surat Al-Zukhruf (Chapter: Ornaments of Gold) opens with ḥm (حم) .

25- Surat Al-Dukhān (Chapter: Smoke) opens with ḥm (حم) .

26- Surat Al-Jāthiya (Chapter: Kneeling) opens with ḥm (حم) .

27- Surat Al-Aḥqāf (Chapter: The Sand Dunes) opens with ḥm (حم) .

28- Surat Qāf (Chapter: Qāf) opens with q (ق) .

29- Surat Al-Qalam (Chapter: The Pen) opens with n (ن) .

ALM within the context of the 29 special-phrased chapters

The special phrase alm is found in six of the above 29 chapters, namely Al-Baqara, Al-‘Imrān,

Al-‘Ankabūt, Al-Rūm, Luqmān and Al-Sajda.

The exact order of each of the six chapters out the 29 special-phrased chapters is as follows:

1. Surat Al-Baqara

2. Surat Al-―Imrān

15. Surat Al-―Ankabūt

16. Surat Al-Rūm

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17. Surat Luqmān

18. Surat Al-Sajda

Arranging these numbers produces the arrangement shown below:

Al-Sajda Luqmān Al-Rūm Al-―Ankabūt Al-―Imrān Al-Baqara

18 17 16 15 2 1

The number 1817161521 is a multiple of seven:

1817161521 = 259594503 x 7

The quotient is also a multiple of seven:

259594503 = 37084929 x 7

The quotient is yet another multiple of seven:

37084929 = 5297847 x 7

In other words, 1817161521 is a multiple of seven three times (5297847 x 7 x 7 x 7).

Interestingly, finding the digit sum of the final quotient, 5297847, gives rise to a wonderful

final result:

5 + 2 + 9 + 7 + 8 + 4 + 7 = 42

42 = 6 x 7

The final result, namely the number six, is the total number of alm openings in the Qur‖an!

Furthermore, the first two alm chapters are chapters two and three of the Qur‖an, and thus

form a group or block of their own. Notably, both these chapters were revealed in Medina;

that is, during the latter stages of the Prophet‖s life. The remaining four alm chapters –

which were all revealed earlier in Mecca – also form a group of their own, as they are

chapters 29, 30, 31 and 32. Consequently, separating the above arrangement as per these

two groups still creates multiples of seven. The first group gives:

Al-―Imrān Al-Baqara

2 1

The number 21 is a multiple of seven (3 x 7). The second group is as follows:

Al-Sajda Luqmān Al-Rūm Al-―Ankabūt

18 17 16 15

The number 18171615 is also a multiple of seven (2595945 x 7).

26

The six ALM verses

That is not all, however. The verse numbers of alm are also significant. Since alm is the

first verse of each of these six chapters, a six-digit number comprising solely of 1‖s can be

constructed. As trivial as it may seem, arranging these six verse numbers achieves another

multiple of seven:

111111 = 15873 x 7

Interestingly, had alm been the opening verse of five or seven chapters instead of six, the

basic arrangement seen above would not have produced a multiple of seven.

The verse count of each ALM chapter

In addition to all this, the total number of verses in each alm chapter is vital. The verse

counts of all six chapters (in their order of appearance in the Qur‖an, of course) are listed

below:

Surat Al-Baqara consists of 286 verses.

Surat Al-―Imrān consists of 200 verses.

Surat Al-―Ankabūt consists of 69 verses.

Surat Al-Rūm consists of 60 verses.

Surat Luqmān consists of 34 verses.

Surat Al-Sajda consists of 30 verses.

Arranging these verse counts produces the following:

Al-Sajda Luqmān Al-Rūm Al-―Ankabūt Al-―Imrān Al-Baqara

30 34 60 69 200 286

The number representing the total amount of verses in each chapter beginning with alm is

30346069200286. This number has four notable features:

1. It is fourteen digits long, or 2 x 7.

2. It is a multiple of seven:

30346069200286 = 4335152742898 x 7

3. The total number of verses is a multiple of seven:

30 + 34 + 60 + 69 + 200 + 286 = 679

679 = 97 x 7

27

4. Its digit sum is a multiple of seven, and not just any multiple of seven:

3 + 3 + 4 + 6 + 6 + 9 + 2 + 2 + 8 + 6 = 49

49 = 7 x 7

In other words, this number is a multiple of seven, its digit count is a multiple of seven, its

digit sum is precisely 7 x 7, and the verses being considered are a multiple of seven!

These results certainly tell us something (as will many other examples to follow) about the

unique layout of the Qur‖an‖s verses and chapters, which of course is not at all ―in the

chronological order of revelation, nor does it follow subject matter. What secret lies

behind this arrangement is best known to Allah, for it is His Book‖39:

―We shall make sure of its safe collection and recitation. When We have recited it, follow its

recital, and then it is up to Us to make it clear.‖ [Al-Qiyāma, 75:17-19].

ALM IN THE FIRST AND LAST ALM CHAPTERS

We will now take a closer look at the immediate verse following alm in both the first and

last chapter beginning with this special phrase. Starting with the first alm chapter, Al-

Baqara, the verse which comes directly after alm is:

This is the Scripture in which there is no doubt, containing guidance for those who are

mindful of God (2) [Al-Baqara, 2:2]

Searching for the three letters alif (أ), lām (ل) and mīm (م) in the words of this verse creates

the arrangement illustrated below:

(ر ي ب)ريب ( ؿ ا)ل ( ؾ ت با ؿ )الكتب ( ؾ ؿذ )ذلؾ

0 2 2 1

(ت ؽ ي فؿ ؿ ـ )لممتقيف ( ىػػػ د ي)ىدى ( ؼ ي ىػػػ)فيو

3 0 0

The number 3000221 is a multiple of seven three times (428603 x 7 x 7 x 7).

39 Al-A―ẓamī, The History, p. 70.

28

Interestingly, this verse contains the word Al-Kitāb (الكتاب) which means ―the Book‖. This

word is written in a different manner in standard Arabic than it is found in the Qur‖an. The

difference can be observed here:


ب الكتباالكت

The extra alif (أ) found in the standard version of the word would have completely

destroyed the above arrangement, because it would have produced the number 3000231,

which is not a multiple of seven.

One of the simple methods applied by Al-Kaḥeel in his research of the Qur‖anic numbers is

the ―one-zero‖ rule. That is, words containing any alm letters are assigned the number one,

regardless of how many alm letters the word contains. Words containing no alm letters are

assigned the number zero. The above verse will thus be rewritten below with this basic

rule in mind:

(ر ي ب)ريب ( ؿ ا)ل ( ؾ ت با ؿ )الكتب ( ؾ ؿذ )ذلؾ

0 1 1 1

(ت ؽ ي فؿ ؿ ـ )لممتقيف ( ػػ د يىػ)ىدى ( ؼ ي ىػػػ)فيو

1 0 0


From the above arrangements, it can be deduced that the total number of alm letters in this

verse is eight, and the total number of words containing alm letters is four. This produces

another arrangement:

alm letters alm words

8 4

84 is a multiple of seven (12 x 7).

Moving to the final Qur‖anic chapter that opens with alm, we may well ask: could all the

above results repeat themselves with the same consistency?

The final chapter to open with alm is Surat Al-Sajda (Chapter: Bowing down in Worship),

and the verse following this special phrase is:

29

This scripture, free from all doubt, has been sent down from the Lord of the Worlds. (2) [Al-

Sajda, 32:2]

Again, we look for the letters alif (أ), lām (ل) and mīm (م) in each word of this verse:

(ر ي ب)ريب ( ؿ ا)ل ( ؾ ت ب ا ؿ)الكتب ( ؿت ف ز ي )تنزيؿ

0 2 2 1

(ي ف ؿ ـع ا ؿ)العمميف ( ر ب)رب ( ف ـ)مف ( ؼ ي ىػػػ)فيو

4 0 1 0

The number 40100221 is a multiple of seven (5728603 x 7). Reversing this number also

creates a multiple of seven (12200104 = 1742872 x 7).

Employing the ―one-zero‖ method again creates this arrangement:

(ر ي ب)ريب ( ؿ ا)ل ( ؾ ت ب ا ؿ)الكتب ( ؿت ف ز ي )تنزيؿ

0 1 1 1

(ي ف ؿ ـع ا ؿ)العمميف ( ر ب)رب ( ف ـ)مف ( ؼ ي ىػػػ)فيو

1 0 1 0


From the above arrangements, it can be inferred that the total number of alm letters is ten,

and the total number of alm words is five:

alm letters alm words

10 5


Continuing with these two chapters, the 26th verse of Al-Baqara presents an intriguing

example:

30

God does not shy from drawing comparisons even with something as lowly as a gnat, or

higher40: the believers know it is the Truth from their Lord, but the disbelievers say, ―What

does God mean by such a comparison?‖ Through it He makes many go astray and leads

many to the right path. But it is only the rebels He makes go astray (26) [Al-Baqara, 2:26]

Finding the letters of alm in the words of this verse reveals this arrangement:

(ي س ت ح ي) يستحى (ؿ ا) ل (ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ) المو (إ ف) إف

0 2 3 1

(ـ ا) ما( ؿ ا ث ـ)مثال (ي ض ر ب) يضرب (ف أ) أف

2 3 0 1

(أ ـ اؼ ) فأما (اؼ و ؽ ىػػػ ) فوقيا (ـ اؼ ) فما (ب ع و ض ىػػػ) بعوضة

3 1 2 0

(ف ىػػػ أ) أنو (و ف ـ ؿؼ ي ع ) فيعمموف (اف و ا ـ ) ءامنوا (ذ ي ف ا ؿ) الذيف

1 2 3 2

بيـ (ف ـ) مف (ح ؽ ا ؿ) الحؽ (أ ـ ا) أما( و) و (ـر ب ىػػػ ) ر

3 0 1 1 2

(و ف ؿؼ ي ؽ و ) فيقولوف (اؾ ؼ ر و ) كفروا (ذ ي ف ا ؿ) الذيف

1 1 2

(اب ىػػػ ذ ) بيػذا (ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ) المو (د ار أ) أراد (اذ ـ ا) ماذا 40 ―Comparisons such as those given here were seen by some as inappropriate for God, and this is an answer to

these critics‖ (Abdel Ḥaleem, The Qur’an, p. 6).

31

1 3 2 3

(ا ؾ ث ي ر ) كثيرا (ب ىػػػ) بو (ؿي ض ) يضؿ ( ؿ ا ث ـ)مثال

1 0 1 3

(و) و (ا ؾ ث ي ر) كثيرا (ب ىػػػ) بو (ي ىػػػ د ي)ى ييد ( و) و

0 1 0 0 0

(ب ىػػػ) بو (ؿي ض ) يضؿ (ـ ا) ما

0 1 2

(ؼ س ؽ ي ف ا ؿ) الفسقيف (إ ؿ ا) إل

2 3

The number 230120100010131323112301121232312023010231 is a multiple of seven

(32874300001447331873185874461758860430033 x 7).

Moreover, the total number of alif (أ), lām (ل) and mīm (م) letters in this verse is 32, sixteen

and twelve, respectively. These totals produce this arrangement:

mīm (ـ) lām (ؿ) alif (أ)

12 16 32


As for Al-Sajda, its third verse discusses the authorship of the Qur‖an:

Yet they say, ―Muḥammad has made it up.‖ No indeed! It is the Truth from your Lord for you

[Prophet], to warn a people who have had no one to warn them before, so that they may be

guided. (3) [Al-Sajda, 32:3]

Interestingly, this verse contains 21 alm letters (3 x 7), organised across its words as follows:

(ؿب ) بؿ (ؼ ت ر ي ىػػػ ا) ترىو اف (و ف ؿي ؽ و ) يقولوف (أ ـ) أـ

32

1 1 1 2

(ر ب ؾ) ربؾ (ف ـ) فم (ح ؽ ا ؿ) الحؽ (ىػػػ و) ىو

0 1 2 0

(ـت ي ىػػػ أ) أتػىيـ (ـ ا) ما (ـ ا ؽ و ) قوما ( ت ف ذ ر ؿ) لتنذر

2 2 2 1

(ف ـ) مف (ف ذ ي ر) نذير ( ف ـ)مف

1 0 1

(ي ىػػػ ت د و ف) ييتدوف (ـىػػػ ؿع ؿ) لعميـ (ؾ ؿؽ ب ) قبمؾ

0 3 1


The very next verse of this chapter speaks of the creation of the universe:

It is God who created the heavens and the earth and everything between them in six Days.

Then He established Himself on the Throne. You [people] have no one but Him to protect

you and no one to intercede for you, so why do you not take heed? (4) [Al-Sajda, 32:4]

The letters of alm are organised in the following manner in each word of this verse:

(و ت ـس ا ؿ) السموت (ؽ ؿخ ) خمؽ (ذ ي ا ؿ)ى الذ (ىػػػا ؿ ؿ ) المو

3 1 2 3

(ـ اب ي ف ىػػػ ) بينيما (ـ ا) ما( و) و (ر ض ا ؿ أ) الرض ( و) و

2 2 0 3 0

ـ (ا ـي أ) أياـ (س ت ىػػػ) ستة ( ؼ ي) ىف (ـث ) ث

1 3 0 0

33

(ـ ا) ما (ع ر شا ؿ ) العرش (ي ؿع ) عمى (س ت و ي ا) وىاست

2 2 1 1

(ي ؿو ) ولي (ف ـ) مف (د و ف ىػػػ) دونو (ف ـ) مف (ـؾ ؿ) لكـ

1 1 0 1 2

(ش ؼ ي ع) شفيع (ؿ ا) ل ( و) و

0 2 0

(ت ت ذ ؾ ر و ف) تتذكروف (ؿ اؼ أ) أفال

0 3


ALM IN OTHER CHAPTERS

The special phrase alm will also be examined in a few significant verses from the four other

chapters that open with alm. Notably, all six chapters beginning with alm contain many

prolific examples surrounding the number seven, but only a select few are being looked at

for simplicity‖s sake.

ALM in Al-‘Imrān

Beginning with Al-‘Imrān, the first two verses following alm state:

God: there is no god but Him, the Ever Living, the Ever Watchful. (2) Step by step, He has

sent the Scripture down to you [Prophet] with the Truth, confirming what went before: He

sent down the Torah and the Gospel (3) [Al-―Imrān, 3:2-3]

Locating alif (أ), lām (ل) and mīm (م) in these two verses produces the arrangement below:

(ىػػػ و) ىو (إ ؿ ا) إل (ىػػػ إ ؿ) إلػو (ؿ ا) ل (ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ) المو

0 3 2 2 3

(ي ؾ ؿع ) عميؾ (ؿف ز ) نزؿ (ـؽ ي و ا ؿ) القيوـ (ح ي ا ؿ) ى الح

34

1 1 3 2

(ا ص د ؽ ـ) مصدقا (ح ؽ ا ؿب ) بالحؽ (ؾ ت با ؿ ) الكتب

2 2 2

(و) و (ي د ي ىػػػ) يديو (ب ي ف) بيف (ؿ ـ ا) لما

0 0 0 3

(ؿف ج ي ا ؿ إ) النجيؿ ( و) و (ت و ر ي ىػػػ ا ؿ) ة ىػالتور (ؿف ز أ) أنزؿ

4 0 2 2


Moreover, searching for the letters of Allah’s name – alif (أ), lām (ل) and hāʾ (هـــ) – in these

verses also creates a beautiful outcome:

(و ىػػػ) ىو (إ ؿ ا) إل (ىػػػ إ ؿ) إلػو (ؿ ا) ل (ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ) المو

1 3 3 2 4

(ي ؾ ؿع ) عميؾ (ؿف ز ) نزؿ (ـؽ ي و ا ؿ) القيوـ (ح ي ا ؿ) ى الح

1 1 2 2

(ا ص د ؽ ـ) مصدقا (ح ؽ ا ؿب ) بالحؽ (ؾ ت با ؿ ) الكتب

1 2 2

(و) و (ىػػػي د ي ) يديو (ب ي ف) بيف (ا ـؿ ) لما

0 1 0 2

(ؿف ج ي ا ؿ إ) النجيؿ ( و) و (ىػػػت و ر ي ا ؿ) ة ىػالتور (ؿف ز أ) أنزؿ

4 0 3 2

The result, compared to that found by locating the letters alm, is a different number

altogether, yet 40320102122112213324 is a multiple of seven too (5760014588873173332 x 7).

Another example from this chapter is that of the sixth verse:

35

It is He who shapes you all in the womb as He pleases. There is no God but Him, the Mighty,

the Wise (6) [Al-―Imrān, 3:6]

As usual, an arrangement will be constructed that represents the number of alif (أ), lām (ل)

and mīm (م) letters in every word of this verse:

ـ ( ذ ي ا ؿ) ىالذ ( ىػػػ و)ىو رك (ؼ ي) ىف ( ـي ص و ر ؾ )يصو

0 1 2 0

(اي ش )يشاء ( ؾ ي ؼ)كيؼ ( ا ـر ح ا ؿ أ)الرحاـ

1 0 5

(ىػػػ و)ىو ( إ ؿ ا)إل ( ىػػػ إ ؿ)إلػو ( ؿ ا)ل

0 3 2 2

ـ ( ع ز ي ز ا ؿ)العزيز (ـح ؾ ي ا ؿ )الحكي

3 2

3203221050120 is a multiple of seven (457603007160 x 7). But also, reversing this number

achieves another multiple of seven (210501223023 = 30071603289 x 7). Moreover, there are

21 alm letters in these verses (3 x 7).

Again, as was done earlier with the second and third verses of this chapter, the letters alif

which make up Allah’s name (there are 21 such letters, as is the case ,(هـــ) and hāʾ (ل) lām ,(أ)

with the alm letters), will be located in this verse:

ـ ( ذ ي ا ؿ) ىالذ ( و ىػػػ)ىو رك (ؼ ي) ىف ( ي ص و ر ؾ ـ)يصو

0 0 2 1

(اي ش )يشاء ( ؾ ي ؼ)كيؼ ( ـا ر ح ا ؿ أ)الرحاـ

1 0 4

(و ىػػػ)ىو ( إ ؿ ا)إل ( ىػػػ إ ؿ)إلػو ( ؿ ا)ل

1 3 3 2

36

ـ ( ع ز ي ز ا ؿ)العزيز (ح ؾ ي ـا ؿ )الحكي

2 2

The result is an entirely different number from that found using alm, yet the number

2213321040021 is not only a multiple of seven (316188720003 x 7), it is also a multiple of

seven when reversed (1200401233122 = 171485890446 x 7), as was the case when searching

for alm! Another intriguing fact is that the total number of letters in this verse is 49 (7 x 7).

The next example from this chapter is from verse 44, where God informs the Prophet, as if

to confirm the truthfulness of his message, that although the Qur‖an thoroughly tells of the

story of Mary (pbuh), among many others, these were events previously unknown to the

Prophet prior to his revelations, and are, to him, in the realm of the unseen:

This is an account of things beyond your knowledge that We reveal to you [Muḥammad]:

you were not present among them when they cast lots to see which of them should take

charge of Mary, you were not present with them when they argued [about her]. (44) [Al-

―Imrān, 3:44]

The letters of alm are found in this verse as follows:

(غ ي ب ا ؿ) الغيب (اف ب أ) أنباء (ف ـ) مف (ؾ ؿذ ) ذلؾ

2 2 1 1

(ـ ا) ما( و) و (ي ؾ إ ؿ) إليؾ (ػف و ح ي ىػػ) نوحيو

2 0 2 0

(ؽ و ف ؿي ) يمقوف (ذ إ) إذ (ـد ي ىػػػ ؿ) لدييـ (ؾ ف ت) كنت

1 1 2 0

(ؿي ؾ ؼ ) يكفؿ (ـي ىػػػ أ) أييـ (ـىػػػ ؿ ـؽ أ) أقمميـ

1 2 4

(ؾ ف ت) كنت (ـ ا) ما( و) و (ـر ي ـ) مريـ

37

0 2 0 2

(و ف ـ ي خ ت ص) يختصموف (ذ إ) إذ (ـد ي ىػػػ ؿ) لدييـ

1 1 2


The last example from this chapter is from the 64th verse, where the Prophet is told to

address the People of the Book:

Say, ―People of the Book, let us arrive at a statement that is common to us all: we worship

God alone, we ascribe no partner to Him, and none of us takes others beside God as lords.‖ If

they turn away, say, ―Witness our devotion to Him.‖ (64) [Al-―Imrān, 3:64]

(او ا ؿت ع ) تعالوا (ؾ ت با ؿ ) الكتب (ؿىػػػ أي ) يأىؿ (ؿؽ ) قؿ

3 2 2 1

(اب ي ف ف ) بيننا (اس و ) سواء (ىػػػؿ ـ ؾ ) كممة (يإ ؿ ) إلى

1 1 2 2

(ف ع ب د) نعبد (أ ؿ ا) أل (ـب ي ف ؾ ) بينكـ ( و) و

0 3 1 0

(ف ش ر ؾ) نشرؾ (ؿ ا) ل ( و) و (ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ) المو (إ ؿ ا) إل

0 2 0 3 3

(ي ت خ ذ) يتخذ (ؿ ا) ل ( و) و (ا ش ي ) شيءا (ب ىػػػ) بو

0 2 0 1 0

(ف ـ) مف (ا ب ار ب أ ) أربابا (ا ب ع ض ) بعضا (اب ع ض ف ) بعضنا

38

1 3 1 1

(او ؿت و ) تولوا (ف إؼ ) فإف (ىػػػا ؿ ؿ ) المو (د و ف) دوف

2 1 3 0

(اش ىػػػ د و ا) اشيدوا (او ؿؼ ؽ و ) فقولوا

2 2

(و فؿ ـ س ـ) مسمموف (اف أب ) بأنا

3 2

The number 3222213013110201002033031011223221 is a multiple of seven twice

(65759449247146959225163898188229 x 7 x 7).

ALM in Al-‘Ankabūt

Four important verses will be looked at from this chapter. The first is the one directly

following alm:

Do people think they will be left alone after saying ―We believe‖ without being put to the

test? (2) [Al-―Ankabūt, 29:2]

Alif (أ), lām (ل) and mīm (م) are organised in the words of this verse as shown below:

(اي ت ر ؾ و ) يتركوا (ف أ) أف (س اف ا ؿ) الناس (ح س ب أ) أحسب

1 1 3 1

(و) و (اف ا ـ) ءامنا (او ؿي ؽ و ) يقولوا (ف أ) أف

0 3 2 1

(ي ؼ ت ف و ف) يفتنوف (ؿ ا) ل (ـىػػػ ) ىـ

0 2 1

2103211131 is a multiple of seven (300458733 x 7). Worth noting is that searching for alm in

the words of each of the third and fourth verses also yields multiples of seven.

The 41st verse of this chapter presents the following parable:

39

Those who take protectors other than God can be compared to spiders building themselves

houses– the spider‖s is the frailest of all houses– if only they could understand. (41) [Al-

―Ankabūt, 29:41]

Alif (أ), lām (ل) and mīm (م) are located in this verse as follows:

(ف ـ)مف ( ات خ ذ و ا)اتخذوا ( ذ ي فا ؿ )الذيف ( ؿث ـ) مثؿ

1 2 2 2

(ؿ ث ـؾ )كمثؿ ( اي ؿو أ)أولياء ( ىػػػا ؿ ؿ )المو (د و ف)دوف

2 3 3 0

(ا ب ي ت )بيتا ( ت خ ذ ت ا)اتخذت ( ع ف ؾ ب و تا ؿ )ت العنكبو

1 1 2

(ب ي و تا ؿ )البيوت ( و ىػػػ ف أ)ف أوى ( ف إ)إف ( و)و

2 1 1 0

(و ؿ)لو ( و تع ف ؾ ب ا ؿ )العنكبوت ( ب ي ت ؿ)لبيت

1 2 1

(و فؿ ـ ي ع )يعمموف ( اف و اؾ )كانوا

2 2

Not only does this verse contain a remarkable scientific phenomenon about the nature of

spiders, but it houses an immaculate numeric arrangement based on the number seven.

The above arrangement creates the number 22121211011223301222, which is a multiple of

seven twice (451453285943332678 x 7 x 7).

The next example is that of verse 45:

40

[Prophet], recite what has been revealed to you of the Scripture; keep up the prayer:

prayer restrains outrageous and unacceptable behaviour. Remembering God is greater: God

knows everything you are doing. (45) [Al-―Ankabūt, 29:45]

The special letters of alm are located in the words of this verse as follows:

( ف ـ)مف ( ي ؾإ ؿ )إليؾ ( و ح ي أ) ى أوح ( ـ ا)ما ( ؿت ا)اتؿ

1 2 1 2 2

ـ ( و)و ( ؾ ت ب ا ؿ)الكتب موة ( ـؽ أ)أق (و ىػػػ ؿص ا ؿ)الص

3 2 0 2

موة ( ف إ)إف (ع ف)عف ( ت ف ىػػػ ي)تنيى ( و ىػػػ ؿص ا ؿ )الص

0 0 3 1

(و)و ( ف ؾ را ؿ ـ )المنكر ( و)و ( اؼ ح ش ا ؿ)الفحشاء

0 3 0 3

( و)و ( ؾ ب ر أ)أكبر ( ىػػػا ؿ ؿ )المو ( ذ ؾ ر ؿ)لذكر

0 1 3 1

ـ ( ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ)المو (ت ص ف ع و ف)تصنعوف ( ـ ا)ما ( ؿ ـي ع )يعم

0 2 2 3


Notably, the word Al-Ṣalāt (الصالة) , which means ―The Regular Prayer‖, is found twice in this

verse. The illustration below demonstrates the unique manner in which it is written in the

Qur‖an, compared to its counterpart in standard Arabic:


ة الصموةالصال

41

Peculiarly, the word Al-Ṣalāt in the Qur‖an contains the letter wāw (و) , whereas in standard

Arabic, this is replaced with an alif (أ) , which of course is one of the letters in the special

phrase alm. Had the standard form of the word been found in the Qur‖an, an extra alif

would have to be counted for each occurrence of this word, which would cause the

resulting arrangement to no longer be a multiple of seven.

Looking, moreover, for the letters of the name Allah - alif (أ), lām (ل) and hāʾ (هـــ) – in this

verse (which mentions both the remembrance of God and His infinite knowledge) reveals:

( ف ـ)مف ( ي ؾإ ؿ )إليؾ ( و ح ي أ) ى أوح ( ا ـ)ما ( ؿت ا)اتؿ

0 2 1 1 2

ـ ( و)و ( ؾ ت ب ا ؿ)الكتب موة ( ـؽ أ)أق (ىػػػو ؿص ا ؿ)الص

4 1 0 2

موة ( ف إ)إف (ع ف)عف ( ي ىػػػت ف )تنيى ( ىػػػو ؿص ا ؿ )الص

0 1 4 1

(و)و ( ف ؾ ر ـا ؿ )المنكر ( و)و ( اؼ ح ش ا ؿ)الفحشاء

0 2 0 3

( و)و ( ؾ ب ر أ)أكبر ( ىػػػا ؿ ؿ )المو ( ذ ؾ ر ؿ)لذكر

0 1 4 1

ـ ( ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ)المو (ت ص ف ع و ف)تصنعوف ( ا ـ)ما ( ـؿ ي ع )يعم

0 1 1 4

114014102030141410202112 is also a multiple of seven (16287728861448772886016 x 7).

The final example from this chapter is that of verse 46:

[Believers], argue only in the best way with the People of the Book, except with those of

them who act unjustly. Say, ―We believe in what was revealed to us and in what was

42

revealed to you; our God and your God is one [and the same]; we are devoted to Him.‖ (46)

[Al-―Ankabūt, 29:46]

Again, the letters of alm are organised in this verse as follows:

(ؿىػػػ أ)أىؿ ( او ؿت ج د )تجدلوا ( ؿ ا)ل ( و)و

2 2 2 0

(ىػػػ ي) ى ى ( ت يا ؿ ب ) ىبالت ( إ ؿ ا)إل ( ؾ ت با ؿ )الكتب

0 2 3 2

(او ؿ ـ ظ )ظمموا ( ذ ي فا ؿ )الذيف ( إ ؿ ا)إل ( ح س ف أ)أحسف

3 2 3 1

ـ (اف ا ـ )ءامنا ( او ؿؽ و )لوا قو ( و)و ( ـف ىػػػ ـ)مني

3 2 0 2

(و)و ( اي ف إ ؿ )إلينا ( ؿف ز أ)أنزؿ ( ذ يا ؿ ب ) ىبالذ

0 3 2 2

ـ ( ؿف ز أ)أنزؿ (اىػػػ ف إ ؿ )إلينا ( و)و ( ـي ؾ إ ؿ )إليك

3 0 3 2

ـ ( و)و (و)و ( و ح د)وحد ( ـ ىػػػ ؾإ ؿ )إليك

0 0 3 0

(و فؿ ـ س ـ)مسمموف ( ىػػػ ؿ)لو ( ف ح ف)نحف

3 1 0

3100030303203223202323102322220 is a multiple of seven three times

(9037989222166831493653359540 x 7 x 7 x 7).

ALM in Al-Rūm

The opening few verses following alm in Al-Rūm contain an incredible prediction into the

future. They represent a guarantee, in fact, that God would not only grant victory to the

Byzantines (or Roman Christians) over the Persians in the early seventh century, but that

43

the believers would celebrate this victory very soon, shortly after they had been severely

defeated by the Persians (613-614 CE) and were unlikely to recover:

The Byzantines have been defeated (2) in [their] nearest land. They will reverse their defeat

with a victory (3) in a few years‖ time ––God is in command, first and last. On that day, the

believers will rejoice (4) at God‖s help. He helps whoever He pleases: He is the Mighty, the

Merciful. (5) [Al-Rūm, 30:2-5]

Needless to say, the Prophet, being only human, could not know the future, nor had he

anything to do with this victory. Nevertheless, not only did these profound verses indeed

come true shortly after they were revealed (with Byzantine victory in 624 CE), but their

immaculate nature further extends to the Qur‖an‖s numeric inimitability, because the

manner in which the special letters alif (أ), lām (ل) and mīm (م) are arranged within its words

creates a brilliant result:

وـ (ب ت ؿغ )غمبت ( د ف ي أ) أدنى (ؼ ي) ىف (ـر و ا ؿ )الر

1 0 3 1

ـ ( و)و ( ض ر ا ؿ أ)الرض ( ب ع د)بعد ( فـ )مف ( ـىػػػ )ى

0 1 1 0 3

ـ (ؼ ي) ىف ( ب و ف ؿس ي غ )سيغمبوف ( ـػػػ ب ى ؿغ )غمبي

0 1 2

(را ؿ أ ـ )المر ( ىػػػؿ ؿ )مو ل ( س ف ي ف)سنيف ( ب ض ع)بضع

4 2 0 0

(ب ع د)بعد ( ف ـ)مف ( و)و ( ؿؽ ب )قبؿ ( ف ـ)مف

0 1 0 1 1

( ف و ف ـو ا ؿ ـ )المؤمنوف ( ي ؼ ر ح)يفرح ( ي ذ ـي و )يومئذ ( و)و

44

4 0 1 0

(ف ـ)مف ( ي ف ص ر)ينصر ( ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ)المو (ب ف ص ر) بنصر

1 0 3 0

(ىػػػ و)ىو ( و)و ( اي ش )يشاء

0 0 1

ـ ( ع ز ي زا ؿ )العزيز (ـر ح ي ا ؿ )الرحي

3 2

The number 3200110304010010114200012011031031 is 34 digits long, and yet is a multiple of

seven (457158614858572873457144573004433 x 7).

Magnificently, even the letters of Allah, namely alif (أ), lām (ل) and hāʾ (هـــ), are brilliantly

arranged across these astounding verses:

وـ (ب ت ؿغ )غمبت ( د ف ي أ) أدنى (ؼ ي) ىف (ـر و ا ؿ )الر

1 0 2 1

ـ ( و)و ( ر ض ا ؿ أ)الرض ( ب ع د)بعد ( ف ـ)مف ( ـ ىػػػ)ى

0 0 1 0 3

ـ (ؼ ي) ىف ( ب و ف ؿس ي غ )سيغمبوف ( ـ ىػػػب ؿغ )غمبي

0 1 2

(ر ـا ؿ أ )المر ( ىػػػؿ ؿ )لمو ( س ف ي ف)سنيف ( ب ض ع)بضع

3 3 0 0

(ب ع د)بعد ( ف ـ)مف ( و)و ( ؿؽ ب )قبؿ ( ف ـ)مف

0 0 0 1 0

( ف و ف ـ و ـا ؿ )المؤمنوف ( ي ؼ ر ح)يفرح ( ي ذ ـي و )يومئذ ( و) و

2 0 0 0

45

(ف ـ)مف ( ي ف ص ر)ينصر ( ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ)المو (ب ف ص ر) بنصر

0 0 4 0

(و ىػػػ)ىو ( و)و ( اي ش )يشاء

1 0 1

ـ ( ع ز ي زا ؿ )العزيز (ـر ح ي ا ؿ )الرحي

2 2

The number 2210100402000000103300012001031021 is, astonishingly, a multiple of seven as

well (315728628857142871900001714433003 x 7)!

Observing the above verses more closely, we notice that verse two speaks of an event

which already happened in the past, and verses three to five deal with the remarkable

prediction into the future (which, it must be said, is more of an emphatic assurance than a

prediction!). Having said this, although locating the letters of Allah in both verse two (on its

own) and verses three to five (on their own) yields a multiple of seven in each case, a far

more profound result is found regarding the latter verses.

Indeed, I was astounded by the fact that with respect to verses three to five, separately

locating each of the three letters making up Allah’s name – that is, alif (أ), lām (ل) and hāʾ

:(أ) produces a breathtaking result in each case. We begin with alif – (هـــ)

(و)و ( ض ر أؿ ا)الرض ( د ف ي أ) أدنى (ؼ ي) ىف

0 2 1 0

ـ ـ (ب ع د)بعد ( ـ ف)مف ( ىػػػ ـ)ى (غ ؿ ب ىػػػ ـ)غمبي

0 0 0 0

(ب ض ع)بضع (ؼ ي) ىف ( ي غ ؿ ب و فس )سيغمبوف

0 0 0

(ف ـ)مف ( ـ ر أؿ ا)المر ( ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)لمو ( س ف ي ف)سنيف

0 2 0 0

(ب ع د)بعد ( ف ـ)مف ( و)و (ؽ ب ؿ)قبؿ

46

0 0 0 0

( ف و ف ؿ ـ و ـ ا)المؤمنوف ( ي ؼ ر ح)يفرح ( ي ذ ـي و )يومئذ ( و)و

1 0 0 0

(ف ـ)مف ( ي ف ص ر)ينصر (ؿ ؿ ىػػػ ا)المو (ر ب ف ص) بنصر

0 0 1 0

(ىػػػ و)ىو ( و) و ( اي ش )يشاء

0 0 1

ـ ( ؿ ع ز ي ز ا)العزيز (ـ ؿ ر ح ي ا)الرحي

1 1


(1571571572857142860000000000030 x 7). Next, we locate only lām (ل):

(و)و ( ض ر أ ؿا )الرض ( أ د ف ي) أدنى (ؼ ي) ىف

0 1 0 0

ـ ـ غمب (ب ع د)بعد ( ـ ف)مف ( ىػػػ ـ)ى (ب ىػػػ ـ ؿغ )ي

1 0 0 0

(ب ض ع) بضع (ؼ ي) ىف ( ب و ف ؿي غ س )سيغمبوف

0 0 1

(ف ـ)مف ( ـ ر أ ؿا )المر ( ىػػػ ؿ ؿ)لمو ( س ف ي ف)سنيف

0 1 2 0

(ب ع د)بعد ( ف ـ)مف ( و)و (ؿؽ ب )قبؿ

0 0 0 1

( ف و ف ـ و ـ ؿا )المؤمنوف ( ي ؼ ر ح)يفرح ( ي ذ ـي و )يومئذ ( و)و

1 0 0 0

47

(ف ـ)مف ( ي ف ص ر)ينصر (ىػػػ ؿ ؿا )المو (ب ف ص ر) بنصر

0 0 2 0

(ىػػػ و)ىو ( و)و ( اي ش )يشاء

0 0 0

ـ ( ع ز ي ز ؿا ) العزيز (ـ ر ح ي ؿ ا)الرحي

1 1

The number 11000002010000001012000110000100 is also a multiple of seven

(1571428858571428716000015714300 x 7). Finally, locating only hāʾ (هـــ) creates:

(و)و ( ض ر ا ؿ أ)الرض ( أ د ف ي) أدنى (ؼ ي) ىف

0 0 0 0

ـ ـ (ب ع د)بعد ( ـ ف)مف ( ـ ىػػػ)ى (ـ ىػػػب ؿغ )غمبي

1 0 0 1

(ب ض ع)بضع (ؼ ي) ىف ( ب و ف ؿي غ س )سيغمبوف

0 0 0

(ف ـ)مف ( ـ ر أ ؿا )المر ( ىػػػ ؿ ؿ)لمو ( س ف ي ف)نيف س

0 0 1 0

(ب ع د)بعد ( ف ـ)مف ( و)و (ؿؽ ب )قبؿ

0 0 0 0

( ف و ف ـ و ـ ؿا )المؤمنوف ( ي ؼ ر ح)يفرح ( ي ذ ـي و )يومئذ ( و)و

0 0 0 0

(ف ـ)مف ( ي ف ص ر)ينصر (ىػػػ ؿ ؿا )المو (ب ف ص ر) بنصر

0 0 1 0

(و ىػػػ)ىو ( و)و ( اي ش )يشاء

48

1 0 0

ـ ( ا ؿ ع ز ي ز)العزيز (ـ ر ح ي ا ؿ)الرحي

0 0

The number 100001000000000001000010010000 is yet another multiple of seven

(14285857142857143000001430000 x 7).

Yet another part of Al-Kaḥeel‖s research involves not only finding the total number of each

special letter in a given special phrase, and arranging these totals into a single number41,

but in fact extending this to important words, including, of course, the name Allah.

Having said this, the letters alif (أ), lām (ل) and hāʾ (هـــ), which constitute Allah’s name, are

repeated as follows in verses three, four and five, which profoundly foretell the future:

In verse three:

- Alif (أ) is repeated 3 times.

- Lām (ل) is repeated 3 times.

- Hāʾ (هـــ) is repeated 2 times.

In verse four:



- Hāʾ (هـــ) is repeated 1 time.

In verse five:




Therefore, for the above three verses, writing the name Allah (which consists of four letters

in total, as the lām is repeated twice), and under every letter of His name, the

corresponding number of times this letter is cited in each respective verse, reveals the

wonderful arrangement shown below:

Verse 5 Verse 4 Verse 3

ا ل ل هـــ ا ل ل هـــ ا ل ل هـــ 41 As seen earlier with alm in Al-Fātiḥa, which gave 152222, or with alm in verse 26 of Al-Baqara, which gave

121632, and as will be witnessed many times later on.

49

hā lām lām alif hā lām lām alif hā lām lām alif

2 4 4 4 1 5 5 3 2 3 3 3


And as if the marvels of this passage are simply endless, an even closer look tells us that the

third verse of this chapter is the one which specifically mentions the word sayaghlibūn

(سغلبون) , denoting the fact that the Byzantines ―will be victorious‖. In other words, it is this

particular verse which contains the incredible insight into the future. Hence, examining

the letters alif (أ), lām (ل) and hāʾ (هـــ), which comprise the name of Allah, in this verse alone

gives:

(ر ض ا ؿ أ)الرض (د ف ي أ) ىأدن (ؼ ي) ىف

3 1 0

ـ ( و)و ( ف ـ)مف ( ـ ىػػػ)ى

0 1 0

ـ ( ب ع د)بعد (ب و ف ؿس ي غ )سيغمبوف ( ـ ىػػػب ؿغ )غمبي

1 2 0

The number which arises from finding the letters of Allah in this verse – the verse in which

God decisively confirms the unlikely triumph of the Romans several years before its arrival

– is 120010310. This is a multiple of seven, not once, but twice (2449190 x 7 x 7).

A further layer of beauty lies, however, in the fact that locating each of the three letters

comprising Allah‖s name on its own in this verse produces, exquisitely, a multiple of seven

every time. Starting with alif (أ), this creates:

(ر ض أ ؿا )الرض (د ف ي أ) أدنى (ؼ ي) ىف

2 1 0


0 0 0


0 0 0

50

As simple as the result is, 210 is a multiple of seven (30 x 7). Searching for lām (ل) gives:

(ر ض أ ؿا )الرض (د ف ي أ) أدنى (ؼ ي) ىف

1 0 0


0 0 0


1 1 0

These three citations of lām produce the number 110000100, which is a multiple of seven an

incredible three times (320700 x 7 x 7 x 7). Finally, locating hāʾ (هـــ) gives rise to this result:

(ر ض ا ؿ أ)الرض (د ف ي أ) أدنى (ؼ ي) ىف

0 0 0


0 1 0


0 1 0

Surely enough, 10010000 is yet another multiple of seven (1430000 x 7).

Is this not a truly profound set of outcomes?

Continuing with this outstanding chapter, the 50th verse explains:

Look, then, at the imprints of God‖s mercy, how He restores the earth to life after death:

this same God is the one who will return people to life after death: He has power over all

things. (50) [Al-Rūm, 30:50]

The letters of alm within this verse are identified as follows:

51

(ت ـر ح ) رحمت (ث ر ا) ءاثر (ي إ ؿ) إلى (ف ظ ر اؼ ) فانظر

1 1 2 1

(ر ض ا ؿ أ) الرض (ي ح ي) يحى (ؾ ي ؼ) كيؼ (ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ) المو

3 0 0 3

(ؾ ؿذ ) ذلؾ (ف إ) إف (او ت ىػػػ ـ) موتيا (ب ع د) بعد

1 1 2 0

(ىػػػ و) ىو ( و) و (و ت ي ا ؿ ـ) الموتى (ح ي ؿ ـ) لمحى

0 0 3 2

(ؽ د ي ر) قدير (ش ي) شيء (ؿؾ ) كؿ (ي ؿع ) عمى

0 0 1 1


Finding, once again, the letters of alif (أ), lām (ل) and hāʾ (هـــ), which constitute the name of

Allah, in this powerful verse produces a wonderful outcome (notably, there are 21 (3 x 7)

such letters):

(ت ـر ح ) رحمت (ث ر ا) ءاثر (ي إ ؿ) إلى (ف ظ ر اؼ ) فانظر

0 1 2 1

(ر ض ا ؿ أ) الرض (ي ح ي) يحى (ؾ ي ؼ) كيؼ (ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ) المو

3 0 0 4

(ؾ ؿذ ) ذلؾ (ف إ) إف (ا ىػػػو ت ـ) موتيا (ب ع د) بعد

1 1 2 0

(و ىػػػ) ىو ( و) و (و ت ي ـا ؿ ) الموتى (ح ي ـؿ ) لمحى

1 0 2 1

52

(ؽ د ي ر) قدير (ش ي) شيء (ؿؾ ) كؿ (ي ؿع ) عمى

0 0 1 1

The number 111021112030040121 is another multiple of seven (15860158861434303 x 7)!

Beautifully, reversing this number creates a new multiple of seven (121040030211120111 =

17291432887302873 x 7).

The following verse presents a rather unusual number, namely 58, which is also, in fact, the

number belonging to this verse:

In this Qur‖an We have set every kind of illustration before people, yet if you [Prophet]

brought them a miracle, the disbelievers would still say, ―You [prophets] deal only in

falsehood.‖ (58) [Al-Rūm, 30:58]

Before even presenting any arrangement, what is truly incredible about this verse is not

just that it is the 58th of this chapter, or that the ―Qur‖an‖s parables‖ or ―miracles‖ are

expressly mentioned, but that 58, in fact, is the precise number of times the very word

―Qur‖an‖ is repeated across the Qur‖an42! And as if that, in itself, is not staggering enough,

locating the very letters of God‖s name (fittingly, God states the He has presented to people

every kind of parable in this Qur‖an!) – alif (أ), lām (ل) and hāʾ (هـــ) – produces an

indescribable outcome:

(س اف ؿ ؿ ) لمناس (اض ر ب ف ) ضربنا (ؽ د ؿ) لقد ( و) و

3 1 1 0

(ـ ف) مف (ف اؽ ر ا ؿ) القرءاف (اذ ىػػػ) ىذا (ؼ ي)ى ف

0 3 2 0

42 Muḥammad Fou‖ād ―Abd Al-Bāqī, al-Mu‘jam al-Mufahras li-Alfādh al-Qur’an al-Karīm (3rd edition). Cairo: Dār Al-

Ḥadeeth (1991), pp. 685-686. This book is a comprehensive, indexed glossary of all the citations of every word

in the Holy Qur‖an. The above fact (and almost any other Qur‖anic word for that matter) can further be

verified from the following link:

http://www.qurancomplex.org/IdIndex/default.asp?TabID=1&SubItemID=7&l=arb&SecOrder=1&SubSecOrder

=7, which is from the website of the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur‖an. The word Al-

Qur’an in Arabic (القرآن) can simply be typed into the search field or found by clicking on the letter qāf (ق) .

http://www.qurancomplex.org/IdIndex/default.asp?TabID=1&SubItemID=7&l=arb&SecOrder=1&SubSecOrder=7

http://www.qurancomplex.org/IdIndex/default.asp?TabID=1&SubItemID=7&l=arb&SecOrder=1&SubSecOrder=7

53

(ي ف ؿ) لئف( و) و (ؿـ ث ) مثؿ ( ؿؾ ) كؿ

1 0 1 1

(ف ؿي ؽ و ؿ) ليقولف (ىػػػي اب ) بػاية (ـ ىػػػج ي ت ) يـجئت

2 2 1

(ف إ) إف (اؾ ؼ ر و ) فرواك (ذ ي ف ا ؿ) الذيف

1 1 2

(و ف ؿـ ب ط ) مبطموف (إ ؿ ا) إل (ف ت ـ أ) أنتـ

1 3 1

The number 131112221101103203110, unbelievably, is a multiple of 58

(2260555536225917295 x 58)! Interestingly, reversing this number brings us back to none

other than the number seven (11302301101122211131 = 1614614443017458733 x 7).

It must be said that the very fact that the Qur‖an even mentions itself in the Qur‖an is a

spectacle on its own. Magnificently, too, this chapter was revealed to the Prophet in

Mecca, meaning that it was one of his earlier revelations. In other words, many more

―citations‖ of the word ―Qur‖an‖ were due to be revealed to the Prophet in the years to come.

Still, the number 58 features – so emphatically – well before, in one of this chapter‖s many

sublime verses!

As we will later see, this number also features brilliantly in another Meccan chapter, Surat

Yā Sīn.

ALM in Luqmān

The following two verses of Luqmān describe some of God‖s wonderful creations:

He created the heavens without any visible support, and He placed firm mountains on the

earth––in case it should shake under you––and He spread all kinds of animals around it. We

sent down water from the sky, with which We made every kind of good plant grow on

54

earth: (10) all this is God‖s creation. Now, show Me what your other gods have created. No,

the disbelievers are clearly astray. (11) [Luqmān, 31:10-11]

The letters of alm are distributed as follows:

(د ـع ) عمد (ب غ ي ر) بغير (و ت ـس ا ؿ) السموت (ؽ ؿخ ) خمؽ

1 0 3 1

(ؼ ي)ى ف (ؽ ي أ ؿ) ألقى( و) و (ات ر و ف ىػػػ ) ترونيا

0 2 0 1

(ي د ـت ) تميد (ف أ) أف (ر و س ي) روسي (ر ض ا ؿ أ) الرض

1 1 0 3

(ف ـ) مف (اؼ ي ىػػػ ) فييا (ب ث) بث ( و) و (ـب ؾ ) بكـ

1 1 0 0 1

(ف ـ) مف (اف ؿف ز أ) أنزلنا( و) و (ب ىػػػ اد ) دابة ( ؿؾ ) كؿ

1 3 0 1 1

(اؼ ي ىػػػ ) فييا (اف ب ت ف أؼ ) فأنبتنا (ـ ا) ماء (ـ اس ا ؿ) السماء

1 2 2 4

(ـؾ ر ي ) كريـ (ز و ج) زوج (ؿؾ ) كؿ (ف ـ) مف

1 0 1 1

(ر و ف ي أؼ )ى فأرون (ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ) المو (ؽ ؿخ ) خمؽ (اىػػػ ذ ) ىذا

1 3 1 1

(ف ـ) مف (ذ ي ف ا ؿ) الذيف (ؽ ؿخ ) خمؽ (اذ ـ ا) ماذا

1 2 1 3

(و ف ؿ ـظ ا ؿ) الظمموف (ؿب ) بؿ (د و ف ىػػػ) دونو

4 1 0

55

(ب ي ف ـ) مبيف (ؿ ؿض ) ضمؿ (ؼ ي)ى ف

1 2 0

The 44-digit number 12041012131311101112241301111001110302011031 is a multiple of

seven (1720144590187300158891614444428730043144433 x 7).

In addition, searching for the letters of the name of Allah – alif (أ), lām (ل) and hāʾ (هـــ) – in

the second of these verses, which stresses that all these creations are none other than God‖s,

reveals this result:

(ر و ف ي أؼ )ى فأرون (ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ) المو (ؽ ؿخ ) خمؽ (اذ ىػػػ) ىذا

1 4 1 2

(ف ـ) مف (ذ ي ف ا ؿ) الذيف (ؽ ؿخ ) خمؽ (اذ ا ـ) ماذا

0 2 1 2

(و ف ـ ؿظ ا ؿ) الظمموف (ؿب ) بؿ (ىػػػد و ف ) دونو

3 1 1

(ب ي ف ـ) مبيف (ؿ ؿض ) ضمؿ (ؼ ي)ى ف

0 2 0

The number 2031102121412 is a multiple of seven (290157445916 x 7), and even when

reversed (2141212011302 = 305887430186 x 7).

Not only that, but each letter of Allah’s name is repeated as follows in this verse:




As done earlier with verses three to five of Al-Rūm, writing the letters comprising the name

of Allah (note, again, that this name comprises of four letters in total, as the lām is repeated

twice), along with the number of times each letter is cited, gives rise to this arrangement:

ا ل ل هـــ hā lām lām alif

3 10 10 7

56


Finally, the 20th verse of this chapter will be looked at:

[People], do you not see how God has made what is in the heavens and on the earth useful

to you, and has lavished His blessings on you both outwardly and inwardly? Yet some

people argue about God, without knowledge or guidance or an illuminating scripture. (20)

[Luqmān, 31:20]

Locating alif (أ), lām (ل) and mīm (م) in the words of this verse creates:

ـ (ىػػػا ؿ ؿ )المو ( ف أ)أف ( ار و ت )تروا ( أ ؿ ـ)أل

3 1 1 3

ر ـ ( س خ ر)سخ (ؼ ي) ىف ( اـ )ما ( ـؾ ؿ)لك

0 2 2 0

(ؼ ي) ىف ( ـ ا)ما ( و)و ( و ت ـس ا ؿ )السموت

0 2 0 3

ـ ( س ب غ أ)أسبغ ( و)و ( ر ضا ؿ أ )الرض (ـي ؾ ؿع )عميك

2 1 0 3

(ط ف ىػػػ اب )باطنة ( و)و ( ظ ىػػػ ر ىػػػ)ظيرة ( ىػػػ ـف ع )نعمو

1 0 0 1

(ف ـ)مف ( س اف ا ؿ )الناس ( ف ـ)مف ( و)و

1 3 1 0

(ب غ ي ر)بغير ( ىػػػا ؿ ؿ )المو ( ؼ ي) ىف ( ؿي ج د )يجدؿ

0 3 0 1

57

(و)و ( ىػػػ د ي)ىدى ( ؿ ا)ل ( و)و ( ؿ ـع )عمـ

0 0 2 0 2

(ف ي ر ـ)منير ( ؾ ت ب)كتب ( ؿ ا)ل

1 0 2

The 36-digit number 102002020301131010012103020302203113 is a multiple of seven

(14571717185875858573157574328886159 x 7).

ALR AND THE SEVEN OFT-REPEATED

The Qur‖an‖s fifteenth chapter, Surat Al-Ḥijr (Chapter: Stoneland), begins with the special

phrase alr. Its 87th verse speaks of the seven oft-recited (or oft-repeated) verses, which are

widely accepted as referring to Al-Fātiḥa, the Qur‖an‖s opening chapter:

We have given you the seven oft-recited verses and the whole glorious Qur‖an. (87) [Al-Ḥijr,

15:87]

The Arabic word for oft-recited in this verse is mathānī (مثان) . Professor Uri Rubin explains

that there are many reasons why Al-Fātiḥa’s seven verses can be called mathānī, including

the fact that Al-Fātiḥa is repeated (tuthannā) in every daily prayer and that it is divided into

two (ithnān) parts, one of praise for God and one of earnest prayer by His servants43.

Accepting that the above ―seven mathānī‖ verse is a reference to Al-Fātiḥa, Al-Kaḥeel goes on

to examine its connection with the ―seven mathānī‖ chapter itself (i.e. Al-Fātiḥa), and finds

that they are in fact linked in a manner consistent with the number seven.

The four essential numbers are extracted from both Al-Fātiḥa (the seven mathānī chapter)

and verse 87 of Al-Ḥijr (the seven mathānī verse):

Al-Fātiḥa:

- Chapter number: 1

- Number of verses44: 7

- Word count: 31

- Letter count: 139

43 Uri Rubin, ―Oft-Repeated‖, in The Encyclopaedia of the Qur’an, vol. 3, p. 575. 44 Note that when examining an entire chapter rather than a single verse, the total number of verses is

naturally used instead of a particular verse number.

58

Verse 87 of Al-Ḥijr:

- Chapter number: 15

- Verse number: 87

- Word count: 9

- Letter count: 35

The seven mathānī verse and the number seven

To begin with, the precise position of the seven mathānī verse (and of course any verse) is

defined by its chapter and verse number. These produce the following arrangement:

Verse number Chapter number

87 15


Combining the verse number and word count also creates a multiple of seven:

Word count Verse number

9 87


Adding the letter count to the previous arrangement produces:

Letter count Word count Verse number

35 9 87

The number 35987 is a multiple of seven (5141 x 7). Reversing this number also gives a

multiple of seven (78953 = 11279 x 7).

The link between Al-Fātiḥa and the seven mathānī verse

Combining the word counts of the seven mathānī verse and the seven mathānī chapter

creates an interesting multiple of seven:

Seven mathānī verse Seven mathānī chapter (Al-Fātiḥa)

Word count Word count

9 31

Not only is the resulting number a multiple of seven twice (931 = 19 x 7 x 7) – which is

perhaps indicative that the very word mathānī refers to doubling and repetition – but

interestingly, the reversal of this number is 139, the precise number of letters comprising

the seven oft-repeated verses of Al-Fātiḥa.

59

The brilliance of alr in both Al-Fātiḥa and the seven mathānī verse

Reference must now be made to alr, the opening special phrase of Al-Ḥijr. Fittingly, Al-

Kaḥeel observes the arrangement of the three letters comprising this special phrase,

namely alif (أ), lām (ل) and rāʾ (ر), in the seven mathānī verse:

(اس ب ع )سبعا ( ت ي ف ؾ ا)ءاتينؾ ( ؽ د ؿ) لقد (و)و

1 1 1 0

(و)و ( ف ي اـ ث ا ؿ) ىالمثان ( ـ ف)مف

0 3 0

ـ ( ف ر اؽ ا ؿ) ف القرءا (ع ظ ي ـ ا ؿ)العظي

2 4


Interestingly, Al-Kaḥeel even looks for all of the Qur‖an‖s fourteen special letters in this

verse (this is another feature of his research), and again arrives at a multiple of seven. For

reference, the fourteen special letters are:

ا ل م ص ر ك هـــ ي ع ط س ح ق ن

(ا عب س)سبعا ( ي ف ؾت ا)ءاتينؾ ( د ؽ ؿ)لقد (و)و

3 4 2 0

(و)و ( ف ي اث ا ؿ ـ) ىالمثان ( ـ ف)مف

0 6 2

ـ ( ؽ ر ا ف ا ؿ) ف القرءا (ي ـظ ع ا ؿ)العظي

5 6


Returning to alr, the total number of alif (أ), lām (ل) and rāʾ (ر) letters in the above verse is

seven, four and one respectively. Arranging these creates:

60

Total number of alr letters in the seven mathānī verse

rāʾ (ر) lām (ؿ) alif (أ)

1 4 7

Beautifully, in reference again to the word mathānī, the number 147 is a multiple of seven

twice (3 x 7 x 7).

And in an almost emphatic confirmation of this, the total number of alif (أ), lām (ل) and rāʾ

letters in the seven mathānī chapter itself (i.e. Al-Fātiḥa) is 22, 22 and eight respectively (ر)

(This can be verified from the earlier illustration of Al-Fātiḥa):

Total number of alr letters in Al-Fātiḥa, the seven mathānī chapter

rāʾ (ر) lām (ؿ) alif (أ)

8 22 22

Fittingly, the number 82222 is also a multiple of seven twice (1678 x 7 x 7).

ALMR AND THE NUMBER SEVEN (AND 114)

Almr in the first verse of Al-Ra‘d

The only Qur‖anic chapter to open with the four-lettered phrase almr begins as follows:

Alif Lām Mīm Rā. These are the signs of the Scripture. What your Lord has sent down to you

[Prophet] is the truth, yet most people do not believe. (1) [Al-Ra―d, 13:1]

The way in which the four special letters alif (أ), lām (ل), mīm (م) and rāʾ (ر) are distributed in

this first verse is perfectly consistent with the number seven:

(ؾ ت ب ا ؿ)الكتب ( ي ت ا)ءايت ( ؾ ؿت )تمؾ ( ا ؿ ـ ر)المر

2 1 1 4

( ي ؾ إ ؿ)ليؾ إ ( ؿف ز أ)نزؿ أ ( ذ ي ا ؿ) ىالذ ( و)و

2 2 2 0

61

(ؾ ف ؿ)لكف ( و)و ( ح ؽ ا ؿ)الحؽ ( ب ؾ ر)ربؾ ( ف ـ)مف

1 0 2 1 1

(ف و ف ـي و )يؤمنوف ( ؿ ا)ل ( س اف ا ؿ)الناس ( رؾ ث أ)كثر أ

1 2 3 2

Magnificently, the number 12321021122202114 is a multiple of seven three times

(35921344379598 x 7 x 7 x 7). Another amazing fact is found with respect to the very first

line in the above arrangement, which states ―ALMR. These are the signs (or verses) of the

Book‖. These represent the first four words of the arrangement, which correspond to the

number 2114, a multiple of seven (302 x 7). Yet moreover, arranging the simple letter

count of these four words (i.e. without looking for almr) creates 5334, also a multiple of

seven (762 x 7).

Almr in verses two and three: splendid universal phenomena

The following two verses explore some of the universe‖s most marvellous wonders:

It is God who raised up the heavens with no visible supports and then established Himself

on the throne; He has subjected the sun and the moon each to pursue its course for an

appointed time; He regulates all things, and makes the revelations clear so that you may be

certain of meeting your Lord; (2) it is He who spread out the earth, placed firm mountains

and rivers on it, and made two of every kind of fruit; He draws the veil of night over the

day. There truly are signs in this for people who reflect. (3) [Al-Ra―d, 13:2-3]

Finding the letters of almr in each word of this passage reveals the arrangement below:

(و ت ـس ا ؿ ) السموت (ؼ ع ر) رفع (ذ يا ؿ )ى الذ (ىػػػا ؿ ؿ ) المو

3 1 2 3

ـ (او ف ىػػػ رت ) ترونيا (د ـع ) عمد (رب غ ي ) بغير (ـث ) ث

62

1 2 1 1

(و) و (ش رع ا ؿ ) العرش (ي ؿع ) عمى (س ت و ي ا) استوى

0 3 1 1

ر (ـ رؽ ا ؿ ) القمر ( و) و (س ـش ا ؿ ) الشمس (رس خ ) سخ

4 0 3 1

(ي ـس ـ) مسمى (ؿج ؿ أ ) لجؿ (ي رج ي)ى يجر (ؿؾ ) كؿ

2 3 1 1

ؿ (ا ؿ أ ـ ر) المر (ري د ب ) يدبر (ي تا ؿ أ ) اليت (ؿي ؼ ص ) يفص

3 1 5 1

(ت و ؽ ف و ف) توقنوف (ـب ؾ ر) ربكـ (اؽ ؿب ) قاءبم (ـؾ ؿع ؿ) لعمكـ

0 2 2 3

(ضا ؿ أ ر ) الرض (د ـ) مد (ذ يا ؿ )ى الذ (ىػػػ و) ىو ( و) و

4 1 2 0 0

(و) و (و س ي ر) ى روس (اؼ ي ىػػػ ) فييا (ؿج ع ) جعؿ ( و) و

0 1 1 1 0

(ت ـ رث ا ؿ) الثمرت (ؿؾ ) كؿ (ف ـ) مف( و) و (ر ا ف ىػػػ أ) يرا أن

4 1 1 0 3

(ث ف ي ف ا) اثنيف (ز و ج ي ف) زوجيف (اؼ ي ىػػػ ) فييا (ؿج ع ) جعؿ

1 0 1 1

(ف إ) إف (ا رف ىػػػ ا ؿ ) النيار (ؿي ا ؿ ) اليؿ (ي غ ش ي)ى يغش

1 4 3 0

(ي تؿ أ ) ليت (ؾ ؿذ ) ذلؾ (ؼ ي)ى ف

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2 1 0

(و ف ري ت ؼ ؾ ) يتفكروف (ـؽ و ؿ) لقوـ

1 2

The number 12210143010114110301110412000223315123114031031112113123 is 56 digits

long (8 x 7), and incredibly, is a multiple of seven

(1744306144302015757301487428603330731873433004444587589 x 7)!

Not only that, but verse two contains the following number of almr letters:



- Mīm (م) is repeated 10 times.

- Rāʾ (ر) is repeated 10 times.

In verse three, moreover, these letters are repeated as follows:




- Rāʾ (ر) is repeated 6 times.

Arranging these totals produces:

Verse 3 Verse 2

ر م ل ر أ م ل أ

rāʾ mīm lām alif rāʾ mīm lām alif

6 4 12 14 10 10 17 14


Taking this a step further, separating the above arrangement into that of each verse on its

own still creates a multiple of seven both times. Starting with verse two, this gives:

Verse 2

ر م ل أ

rāʾ mīm lām alif

10 10 17 14

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10101714 is a multiple of seven (1443102 x 7). As for verse three, this gives:

Verse 3

ر م ل أ


6 4 12 14

641214 is in fact a multiple of seven twice (13086 x 7 x 7).

Almr in the first part of verse 31: the sheer power of the Qur’an

Sometimes, a particular part or segment of a verse can be examined (in addition to or in

lieu of the verse as a whole), especially when this segment contains a particularly powerful

statement that demands some pondering and reflection (Al-Kaḥeel does this often, and

another example will be shown towards the end). Such a statement, reflecting the pure

magnificence and grandeur of the Qur‖an, is found in the first part of verse 31 (in bold):

...

If there were ever to be a Qur‖an with which mountains could be moved, the earth

shattered, or the dead made to speak [it would have been this one], but everything is truly

in God‖s hands... (31) [Al-Ra―d, 13:31]

Locating the letters of the special phrase almr in this part alone reveals a prolific result:

(ا ف ر اؽ ) قرءانا (ف أ) أف (و ؿ) لو ( و) و

3 1 1 0

(و أ) أو (ا ؿج ب ا ؿ) الجباؿ (ب ىػػػ) بو (ت رس ي ) سيرت

1 4 0 1

(و أ) أو (ض ا ؿ أ ر) الرض (ب ىػػػ) بو (ؽ ط ع ت) قطعت

1 4 0 0

(و ت ي ا ؿ ـ) الموتى (ب ىػػػ) بو (ؿ ـؾ ) كمـ

65

3 0 2

It is worth noting that the above segment contains precisely 21 almr letters (3 x 7). The

arrangement of these letters in each word creates the number 302140014013110, which,

astoundingly, is a multiple of seven (43162859144730 x 7), and even so when reversed

(11310410041203 = 1615772863029 x 7). However, even more profoundly, and in direct

reference to the Qur‖an, about which this segment speaks with much admiration, this

number is also a multiple of 114, which is the number of chapters that comprise the Qur‖an

(2650351000115 x 114)! Interestingly, the digit sum of the quotient is 29, the number of

Qur‖anic chapters opening with a special phrase (2 + 6 + 5 + 3 + 5 + 1 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 1 + 1 + 5 = 29).

Still, yet another reference to the number 114 is found from the above results. That is, the

first multiple of seven is 302140014013110, which gives the quotient 43162859144730. The

digit sum of this quotient is 57 (4 + 3 + 1 + 6 + 2 + 8 + 5 + 9 + 1 + 4 + 4 + 7 + 3 + 0 = 57). Reversing

this multiple of seven created a new multiple of seven, namely 11310410041203, which

gives the quotient 1615772863029. The digit sum of this quotient is also 57 (1 + 6 + 1 + 5 + 7 +

7 + 2 + 8 + 6 + 3 + 0 + 2 + 9 = 57). The sum of 57 and 57 is 114! As will be witnessed later on, the

number 114 features in several other occasions where the Qur‖an is specifically mentioned.

Crucially, had this chapter not opened with these exact four letters, namely almr (the only

Qur‖anic chapter to do so!), the above astounding outcomes would not have taken place!

Almr in verse 37 of Al-Ra‘d: the Arabic Qur’an

The 37th verse of this chapter, which hints to the wisdom of the Arabic language, states:

So We have sent down the Qur‖an to give judgement in the Arabic language. If you were to

follow their desires, after the knowledge that has come to you, you would have no one to

guard you or protect you from God. (37) [Al-Ra―d, 13:37]

Once again, looking for the four special letters almr in this verse reveals the following:

( ـ ا ح ؾ )حكما ( ف ىػػػ ؿف ز أ)نزلنو أ ( ؾ ؿؾ ذ )كذلؾ ( و)و

2 2 1 0

( ت ب ع ت ا)اتبعت ( ي ف ؿ)لئف ( و)و ( ا ب ي رع )عربيا

1 1 0 2

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(ؾ اج )جاءؾ ( ـ ا)ما ( ب ع د)بعد ( ـىػػػ اػػ و ىػ أ)ىواءىـ أ

1 2 0 3

(ف ـ)مف ( ؾ ؿ)لؾ ( ـ ا)ما ( ـ ؿع ا ؿ)العمـ ( ف ـ)مف

1 1 2 4 1

( ي ؿ و) ى ول ( ف ـ)مف ( ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ)اهلل

1 1 3

(ؽ او )واؽ ( ؿ ا)ل ( و)و

1 2 0


In addition, each of the almr letters is repeated in this verse as follows:




- Rāʾ (ر) is repeated 1 time.

Arranging these repetitions produces the following:

ر م ل أ


1 8 10 13

The number 181013 is a multiple of seven (25859 x 7). Its digit sum is also a multiple of

seven (1 + 8 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 14 = 2 x 7).

Almr in the final verse of Al-Ra‘d

Finally, the last verse of this chapter explains:

67

They say, ―You have not been sent.‖ Say, ―God is sufficient witness between me and you: all

knowledge of the Scripture comes from Him.‖45 (43) [Al-Ra―d, 13:43]

This concluding verse contains 21 almr letters (3 x 7), which are organised as follows:

(او رؾ ؼ )كفروا ( ذ ي فا ؿ )يف الذ ( ؿي ؽ و )يقوؿ ( و)و

2 2 1 0

(ؾ ؼ ي)كفى ( ؿؽ )قؿ ( ا ؿس ـ ر )مرسال ( س ت ؿ)لست

0 1 4 1

(و)و ( ب ي ف ي) ىبين ( ا ش ىػػػ ي د )شييدا ( ىػػػا ؿ ؿ ب )باهلل

0 0 1 3

(ف ـ)مف ( و)و ( ـب ي ف ؾ )بينكـ

1 0 1

(ؾ ت با ؿ )الكتب ( ؿ ـع )عمـ ( ع ف د ىػػػ)عنده

2 2 0


KHY‘Ṣ IN SURAT MARYAM (CHAPTER: MARY)

Khy‘ṣ in the story of Jesus (pbuh)

The only special phrase to consist of five letters46 is the opening of Surat Maryam, a chapter

which recounts, among other stories, that of Jesus Christ‖s birth. Verses 27 to 34 recall

Mary showing the baby Jesus to her people, their consequent astonishment at his presence,

and Jesus miraculously speaking whilst carried in her arms:

45 Alternatively, as Abdel Ḥaleem explains: ―God- and those who have [true] knowledge of the Scripture- are

sufficient witness between us.‖ (Abdel Ḥaleem, The Qur’an, p. 157). 46 Apart from ḥm ―sq (م عسقح) , which is also five letters long yet is not a single special phrase but in fact two.

68

She went back to her people carrying the child, and they said, ―Mary! You have done

something terrible! (27) Sister of Aaron! Your father was not an evil man; your mother was

not unchaste!‖ (28) She pointed at him. They said, ―How can we converse with an infant?‖

(29) [But] he said: ―I am a servant of God. He has granted me the Scripture; made me a

prophet; (30) made me blessed wherever I may be. He commanded me to pray, to give alms

as long as I live, (31) to cherish my mother. He did not make me domineering or graceless.

(32) Peace was on me the day I was born, and will be on me the day I die and the day I am

raised to life again.‖ (33) Such was Jesus, son of Mary. [This is] a statement of the Truth

about which they are in doubt (34) [Maryam, 19:27-34]

The way in which the five special letters kāf (ك) , hāʾ (ــهـ) , yāʾ (ي) , ʿayn (ع) , and ṣād (ص) are

arranged across this selection of verses is quite astounding:

(ىػػػت ح ـ ؿ )تحممو ( ا ىػػػؽ و ـ )قوميا ( ىػػػب )بو ( ؼ أ ت ت)فأتت

1 1 1 0

ـ ( ؽ ا ؿ و ا)قالوا (ت يج )جئت ( ؿ ؽ د)لقد ( ـ يـ ر ي)يمري

1 0 2 0

(ر و ف ىػػػ)ىروف ( أ خ ت ي)يأخت ( ا يؼ ر )فريا ( ا يش ) شيءا

1 1 1 1

( س و)سوء ( ا ـ ر أ)امرأ ( ؾأ ب و )أبوؾ ( ا ف ؾ)كاف ( ـ ا)ما

0 0 1 1 0

(ا يب غ )بغيا ( ؾأ ـ )أمؾ ( ا ف ت ؾ)كانت ( ـ ا)ما ( و)و

1 1 1 0 0

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(ؼؾ ي )كيؼ ( ؽ ا ؿ و ا)قالوا ( ي ىػػػإ ؿ )إليو ( ؼ أ ش ا ر ت)فأشارت

2 0 2 0

ـ (يؼ ) ىف ( ا ف ؾ)كاف ( ـ ف)مف ( ؿ ـ ؾف )نكم

1 1 0 1

(يإ ف ) ىإن ( ؽ ا ؿ)قاؿ ( ا يب ص)صبيا ( د ىػػػا ؿ ـ )الميد

1 0 2 1

(ت ب ؾا ؿ )الكتب ( يف يا ت ) ىن ػىػءات ( ىػػػا ؿ ؿ )المو ( ب د ع)عبد

1 2 1 1

(و)و ( ا يف ب )نبيا ( يؿ ف عج ) ىجعمن ( و)و

0 1 2 0

(ـ ا)ما ( ف يأ )أيف ( ا ؾـ ب ا ر )مباركا ( يؿ ف عج ) ىجعمن

0 1 1 2

موة ( يف ص أ و) ىأوصن ( و)و ( ف ت ؾ)كنت ( ىػػػؿ و صب ا ؿ )بالص

2 2 0 1

كوة ( و)و ( ا يح )حيا ( د ـ ت)دمت ( ـ ا)ما ( ىػػػو ؾا ؿ ز )الز

1 0 0 2 0

ـ ( و)و ( يب و ؿ د ت ) ىبولدت ( ب ر ا )برا ( و)و (ؿ ـ)ل

0 0 1 0 0

(و)و ( ا يش ؽ )شقيا ( ج ب ا ر ا )جبارا ( يؿ ف عج ي) ىيجعمن

0 1 0 3

ـ م (و ؿ د ت)ولدت ( و ـ ي)يوـ ( يؿ ع) ى عم ( ا ؿ س ؿ ـ)الس

0 1 2 0

70

(و ـ ي)يوـ ( و)و ( أ ـ و ت)أموت ( و ـ ي)يوـ ( و)و

1 0 0 1 0

(يس ع ي )عيسى ( ؾذ ؿ )ذلؾ ( ا يح )حيا ( ث عأ ب )أبعث

3 1 1 1

ـ ( ا ب ف)ابف (ا ؿ ح ؽ)الحؽ ( ؽ و ؿ)قوؿ ( ـ يـ ر )مري

0 0 1 0

(ـ ت ر و ف ي)يمتروف ( ي ىػػػؼ )فيو ( يا ؿ ذ ) ىالذ

1 2 1

12100103111100100120010300100100202201011201201211102111012020111000011011111020

1110 is 84 digits long (84 = 12 x 7), and is a perfect multiple of seven

(1728586158728585731430042871442886028715885885887300301573145730142858715873002

8730 x 7).

Beautifully, the most repeated special letter in the above passage is yā’ (ي) , which is cited

no less than 35 times (5 x 7). Locating this letter alone in these verses yields another

magnificent result:

(ت ح ـ ؿ ىػػػ)تحممو ( ؽ و ـ ىػػػ ا)قوميا ( ب ىػػػ)بو ( ؼ أ ت ت)فأتت

0 0 0 0

ـ ( ؽ ا ؿ و ا)قالوا (ت يج )جئت ( ؿ ؽ د)لقد ( ـي ـ ر ي)يمري

1 0 2 0

(ىػػػ ر و ف)ىروف ( أ خ ت ي)يأخت ( ا يؼ ر )فريا ( ا يش ) شيءا

0 1 1 1

( س و)سوء ( ا ـ ر أ)امرأ ( أ ب و ؾ)أبوؾ ( ؾ ا ف)كاف ( ـ ا)ما

0 0 0 0 0

(ا يغ ب )بغيا ( أ ـ ؾ)أمؾ ( ؾ ا ف ت)كانت ( ـ ا)ما ( و)و

1 0 0 0 0

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(ؼ يؾ )كيؼ (ؽ ا ؿ و ا)قالوا ( ىػػػ يإ ؿ )إليو ( ؼ أ ش ا ر ت)فأشارت

1 0 1 0

ـ (يؼ ) ىف ( ؾ ا ف)كاف ( ـ ف)مف ( ف ؾ ؿ ـ)نكم

1 0 0 0

(يإ ف ) ىإن ( ؽ ا ؿ)قاؿ ( ا يص ب )صبيا ( ا ؿ ـ ىػػػ د)الميد

1 0 1 0

(ا ؿ ؾ ت ب)الكتب ( يف يا ت ) ىن ػىػءات ( ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)المو ( ع ب د)عبد

0 2 0 0

(و)و ( ا يف ب )نبيا ( يج ع ؿ ف ) ىجعمن ( و)و

0 1 1 0

(ـ ا)ما ( ف يأ )أيف ( ـ ب ا ر ؾ ا )مباركا ( يج ع ؿ ف ) ىجعمن

0 1 0 1

موة ( يص ف أ و) ىأوصن ( و)و ( ؾ ف ت)كنت ( ب ا ؿ ص ؿ و ىػػػ)بالص

0 1 0 0

كوة ( و)و ( ا يح )حيا ( د ـ ت)دمت ( ـ ا)ما ( ا ؿ ز ؾ و ىػػػ)الز

1 0 0 0 0

ـ ( و)و ( يب و ؿ د ت ) ىبولدت ( ب ر ا )برا ( و)و (ؿ ـ)ل

0 0 1 0 0

(و)و ( ا يش ؽ )شقيا ( ج ب ا ر ا )جبارا ( يج ع ؿ ف ي) ىيجعمن

0 1 0 2

ـ م (و ؿ د ت)ولدت ( و ـ ي)يوـ ( يع ؿ ) ى عم ( ا ؿ س ؿ ـ)الس

0 1 1 0

72

(و ـ ي)يوـ ( و)و ( أ ـ و ت)أموت ( و ـ ي)يوـ ( و)و

1 0 0 1 0

(يس يع )عيسى ( ذ ؿ ؾ)ذلؾ ( ا يح )حيا ( أ ب ع ث)أبعث

2 0 1 0

ـ ( ا ب ف)ابف (ا ؿ ح ؽ)الحؽ ( ؽ و ؿ)قوؿ ( ـ يـ ر )مري

0 0 1 0

(ـ ت ر و ف ي)يمتروف ( ىػػػ يؼ )فيو ( يا ؿ ذ ) ىالذ

1 1 1

The resulting number is

11100102010100100110010200100100000100010101100200101010001010100000000001111020

0000, a perfect multiple of seven

(1585728858585728587144314300014285728572871585742871572857287157142857143015860

0000 x 7)!

Finally, the least repeated special letter in this passage is ṣād (ص) , found a mere three times

within its words. Nevertheless, the arrangement arising from locating these three citations

is a brilliant one:

(ت ح ـ ؿ ىػػػ)تحممو ( ؽ و ـ ىػػػ ا)قوميا ( ب ىػػػ)بو ( ؼ أ ت ت)فأتت

0 0 0 0

ـ ( ؽ ا ؿ و ا)قالوا (ج ي ت)جئت ( ؿ ؽ د)لقد ( ي ـ ر ي ـ)يمري

0 0 0 0

(ىػػػ ر و ف)ىروف ( أ خ ت ي)يأخت ( ا ؼ ر ي)فريا ( ش ي ا ) شيءا

0 0 0 0

( س و)سوء ( ا ـ ر أ)امرأ ( أ ب و ؾ)أبوؾ ( ؾ ا ف)كاف ( ـ ا)ما

0 0 0 0 0

(ا ب غ ي)بغيا ( أ ـ ؾ)أمؾ ( ؾ ا ف ت)كانت ( ـ ا)ما ( و)و

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0 0 0 0 0

(ؼ ؾ ي)كيؼ ( ؽ ا ؿ و ا) قالوا( إ ؿ ي ىػػػ)إليو ( ؼ أ ش ا ر ت)فأشارت

0 0 0 0

ـ (ؼ ي) ىف ( ؾ ا ف)كاف ( ـ ف)مف ( ف ؾ ؿ ـ)نكم

0 0 0 0

(يإ ف ) ىإن ( ؽ ا ؿ)قاؿ ( ا يب ص)صبيا ( ا ؿ ـ ىػػػ د)الميد

0 0 1 0

(ا ؿ ؾ ت ب)الكتب (ا ت ي ف ي) ىن ػىػءات ( ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)المو ( ع ب د)عبد

0 0 0 0

(و)و ( ا ف ب ي)نبيا ( ج ع ؿ ف ي) ىجعمن ( و)و

0 0 0 0

(ـ ا)ما (أ ي ف)أيف ( ـ ب ا ر ؾ ا )مباركا ( ؿ ف يج ع ) ىجعمن

0 0 0 0

موة (ف ي ص أ و) ىأوصن ( و)و ( ؾ ف ت)كنت ( ؿ و ىػػػ صب ا ؿ )بالص

1 1 0 0

كوة ( و)و ( ا ح ي)حيا ( د ـ ت)دمت ( ـ ا)ما ( ا ؿ ز ؾ و ىػػػ)الز

0 0 0 0 0

ـ ( و) و ( ب و ؿ د ت ي) ىبولدت ( ب ر ا )برا ( و)و (ؿ ـ)ل

0 0 0 0 0

(و) و (ش ؽ ي ا )شقيا ( ج ب ا ر ا )جبارا ( ي ج ع ؿ ف ي) ىيجعمن

0 0 0 0

ـ م (و ؿ د ت)ولدت ( ي و ـ)يوـ ( ع ؿ ي) ى عم ( س ؿ ـا ؿ )الس

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0 0 0 0

(ـ ي و)يوـ ( و)و ( أ ـ و ت)أموت ( ي و ـ)يوـ ( و)و

0 0 0 0 0

(ع ي س ي)عيسى ( ذ ؿ ؾ)ذلؾ ( ح ي ا )حيا ( أ ب ع ث)أبعث

0 0 0 0

ـ ( ا ب ف)ابف (ا ؿ ح ؽ)الحؽ ( ؽ و ؿ)قوؿ (ـ ر ي ـ)مري

0 0 0 0

(ر و ف ي ـ ت)يمتروف ( ؼ ي ىػػػ)فيو ( ا ؿ ذ ي) ىالذ

0 0 0

Surely enough, the number 11000000000000000010000000000000000000000000000000 is

also a multiple of seven (1571428571428571430000000000000000000000000000000 x 7).

Khy‘ṣ in verses 66 and 67: a question for mankind

The following two verses address all of humanity:

Man says, ―What? Once I am dead, will I be brought back to life?‖ (66) but does man not

remember that We created him when he was nothing before? (67) [Maryam, 19:66-67]

The letters of the special phrase khy‘ṣ are located in the words of these verses as follows:

نسف (ؽ و ؿ ي) يقوؿ ( و) و (أ ذ ا) أءذا (ا ؿ إ ف س ف) ال

0 0 1 0

(أ خ ر ج) أخرج (ؿ س و ؼ) لسوؼ (ـ ت) مت (ـ ا) ما

0 0 0 0

نسف (ر ؾذ ي) يذكر (أ و ؿ ا) أول (ا يح ) حيا (ا ؿ إ ف س ف) ال

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0 2 0 1

(ؽ ب ؿ) قبؿ (ـ ف) مف (ىػػػؿ ؽ ف خ ) خمقنو (أ ف ا) أنا

0 0 1 0

(ا يش ) شيءا (ي ؾ) يؾ (ؿ ـ) لـ ( و) و

1 2 0 0

The number 12000010020100000010 is a multiple of seven (1714287145728571430 x 7). The

digit sum of the quotient is also a multiple of seven (1 + 7 + 1 + 4 + 2 + 8 + 7 + 1 + 4 + 5 + 7+ 2 + 8

+ 5 + 7 + 1 + 4 + 3 + 0 = 77 = 11 x 7).

Khy‘ṣ in verse 81

The 81st verse of Maryam states:

They have taken other gods beside God to give them strength (81) [Maryam, 19:81]

Beautifully, there are seven khy‘ṣ letters in this verse, organised within its words as follows:

(ىػػػا ؿ ؿ )المو ( فد و )دوف ( ـ ف)مف ( ا ت خ ذ و ا)اتخذوا ( و)و

1 0 0 0 0

ـ (و ف و اي ؾ ؿ )ليكونوا ( ىػػػ ىػػػا ؿ )ءالية (ز ا ع)عزا ( ـ ىػػػؿ )لي

1 1 2 2

112210000 is a multiple of seven twice (2290000 x 7 x 7).

Furthermore, each one of the special letters occurs in this verse as follows:

- Kāf (ك) is repeated 1 time.

- Hāʾ (ــهـ) is repeated 4 times.

- Yāʾ (ي) is repeated 1 time.

- ʿAyn (ع) is repeated 1 time.

- Ṣād (ص) is repeated 0 times.

Arranging these five digits, in the same Qur‖anic order of khy‘ṣ, of course, creates:

ك هـــ ي ع ص

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ṣād ʿayn yāʾ hāʾ kāf

0 1 1 4 1


ṢĀD IN SURAT ṢĀD (CHAPTER: ṢĀD)

The number of ṣād (ص) letters in each verse of this chapter is given in the table below:

Ṣād in Surat Ṣād Verse Ṣād

1 1 2 0 3 1 4 0 5 0 6 1 7 0 8 0 9 0

10 0 11 0 12 0 13 1 14 0 15 1 16 0 17 1 18 0 19 0 20 1 21 1 22 2 23 0 24 1 25 0 26 0 27 0 28 1 29 0 30 0 31 1 32 0

77

33 0 34 0 35 0 36 1 37 1 38 1 39 0 40 0 41 1 42 0 43 0 44 1 45 1 46 2 47 1 48 0 49 0 50 0 51 0 52 1 53 0 54 0 55 0 56 1 57 0 58 0 59 1 60 0 61 0 62 0 63 1 64 1 65 0 66 0 67 0 68 0 69 1 70 0 71 0 72 0 73 0 74 0 75 0

78

76 0 77 0 78 0 79 0 80 0 81 0 82 0 83 1 84 0 85 0 86 0 87 0 88 0

TOTAL 29

Arranging the number of ṣād letters from each verse in this chapter into one arrangement

would produce the following:

Verse 88 Verse 87 <<<< Verse 3 Verse 2 Verse 1

ṣ letters ṣ letters <<<< ṣ letters ṣ letters ṣ letters

0 0 <<<< 1 0 1

The resulting number,

10000000000000100001100010010001000012110010011100001001000102110010101000000100

101, is a perfect multiple of seven

(1428571428571442857300001430000142858872858573014285857285728872858585857142871

443 x 7)!

ḤM ‘SQ: PROLIFIC PATTERNS OF THE NUMBER SEVEN

Of all 29 chapters containing a special phrase, there exists one particular chapter (Al-Shūra)

which contains two, one in the first verse and another in the second. The rest contain only

one. This, if anything, is a curious fact.

The two special phrases of Al-Shūra are the following:

Ḥā Mīm (1) ʿAyn Sīn Qāf (2) [Al-Shūra, 42:1-2]

Having familiarised myself with Al-Kaḥeel‖s work, I decided to apply his methodology to

these two special phrases, and asked myself some questions. Could the number seven have

79

something to say about these peculiar phrases? Can the existence of two phrases instead of

one possibly mean that the same consistency can equally be found with each, making the

outcomes doubly profound?

An interesting point to make is that Al-Shūra is the 42nd chapter of the Qur‖an, and 42, of

course, is a multiple of seven (6 x 7). In this, perhaps, is an implicit suggestion as to the

significance of the number seven in this chapter.

Brief introduction to both phrases

The first special phrase, ḥm, is actually the opening phrase of seven chapters in the Qur‖an,

Al-Shūra being one of them. It consists of two letters, namely ḥā’ (ح) and mīm (م) .

The second special phrase, ‘sq, is only mentioned in Al-Shūra. However, its three separate

letters, ʿayn (ع) , sīn (س) and qāf (ق) , are found in other special phrases across the Qur‖an.

Having said this, an intriguing fact appears with respect to the letter qāf (ق) , which,

crucially, is the first letter of the word Qur’an (قرآن) . The only other time the letter qāf (ق) is

found in a special phrase is in fact in Surat Qāf (Chapter: Qāf). As the name suggests, the

opening phrase in this chapter is the single letter qāf. Interestingly, in both chapters (Al-

Shūra and Qāf), the letter qāf is repeated precisely 57 times, despite Al-Shūra being a slightly

longer chapter than Qāf. Adding these occurrences of the letter qāf gives the number 114,

which is the precise number of chapters in the Qur‖an.

This is a small yet profound observation, and focus will now shift to a much more thorough

investigation of the five opening special letters in Al-Shūra.

The first verse following ḥm ‘sq

The immediate verse following ḥm ‘sq began to answer some of my questions:

This is how God, the Mighty, the Wise, sends revelation to you [Prophet] as He did to those

before you. (3) [Al-Shūra, 42:3]

The letters ḥm ‘sq will now be looked for in each word of this verse. In Arabic, of course,

these five letters are:

ح م ع س ق

(و)و ( إ ؿ ي ؾ)إليؾ ( ي حي و ) ىيوح ( ؾ ذ ؿ ؾ)كذلؾ

0 0 1 0

80

(ب ؿ ؾ ؽ)قبمؾ ( ف ـ)مف ( ا ؿ ذ ي ف)الذيف ( يإ ؿ )إلى

1 1 0 0

ـ ( ز ي ز عا ؿ )العزيز ( ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)المو (ـؾ ي حا ؿ )الحكي

2 1 0

The resulting number, 21011000010, is a multiple of seven (3001571430 x 7). It is also a

multiple of seven when reversed (1000011012 = 142858716 x 7).

Also, extracting the four essential numbers of this verse, namely the chapter and verse

numbers, as well as the word and letter counts, and combining them into a single

arrangement, gives rise to the following:

Letter count Word count Verse number Chapter number

43 11 3 42


Furthermore, each of the ḥm ‘sq letters is repeated the following number of times in this

verse:

Ḥā’ (ح) is repeated 2 times.

Mīm (م) is repeated 2 times.

‘Ayn (ع) is repeated 1 time.

Sīn (س) is repeated 0 times.

Qāf (ق) is repeated 1 time.

Arranging these occurrences produces the following:

ق ح م ع س

Qāf Sīn ʿAyn Mīm Ḥā’

1 0 1 2 2


Ḥm ‘sq in verse 29: God’s ultimate power

In the following verse, God Almighty declares that He has created the heavens and the

earth, and that He has power over all His creations:

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Among His signs is the creation of the heavens and earth and all the living creatures He has

scattered throughout them: He has the power to gather them all together whenever He

will. (29) [Al-Shūra, 42:29]

Locating the letters ḥm ‘sq in the words of this verse brings about the arrangement below:

( ؽخ ؿ )خمؽ ( ا ي ت ىػػػ)ءايتو ( ف ـ)مف ( و)و

1 0 1 0

(و)و ( ا ؿ أ ر ض)الرض ( و)و ( و تس ـ ا ؿ )السموت

0 0 0 2

( د ا ب ىػػػ)دابة ( ف ـ)مف ( ا ـؼ ي ىػػػ )فييما ( ب ث)بث ( ا ـ)ما

0 1 1 0 1

ـ ( ؿ ي ع)عمى ( ىػػػ و)ىو ( و)و (ـىػػػ ـ ع ج )جمعي

3 1 0 0

(د ي ر ؽ)قدير ( ي ش ا)يشاء ( إ ذ ا)إذا

1 0 0


Ḥm ‘sq in verses 32-34: Another of God’s signs

The following verses present one of God‖s signs:

Among His signs are the ships, sailing like floating mountains: (32) if He willed, He could

bring the wind to a standstill and they would lie motionless on the surface of the sea– there

truly are signs in this for anyone who is steadfast and thankful– (33) or He could cause

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them to be wrecked on account of what their passengers have done– God pardons much–

(34) [Al-Shūra, 42:32-34]

The ḥm ‘sq letters are found as follows in these verses:

(ا ؿ ج و ا ر) الجوار (ا ي ت ىػػػ) ءايتو (ف ـ) مف ( و) و

0 0 1 0

(إ ف) إف (ـؿ عؾ ا ؿ أ ) كالعمـ (ر حا ؿ ب ) البحر (ؼ ي)ى ف

0 2 1 0

يح ( ؾ ف سي ) يسكف (ي ش أ) يشأ (ؼ ي ظ ؿ ؿ ف) فيظممف (حا ؿ ر ي ) الر

0 1 1 0

(إ ف) إف (ظ ىػػػ ر ىػػػ) ظيره (ؿ ي ع) عمى (ر و ا ؾ د) رواكد

0 0 1 0

(ؿ ؾ ؿ) لكؿ (ؿ أ ي ت) يت ل (ذ ؿ ؾ) ذلؾ (ؼ ي)ى ف

0 0 0 0

(ىػػػ ف ؽي و ب ) يوبقيف (أ و) أو (ش ؾ و ر) شكور (ص ب ا ر) صبار

1 0 0 0

( و) و (ب و ا سؾ ) كسبوا (ا ـب ) بما

0 1 1

(ؾ ث ي ر) كثير (ف ع) عف (ؼ عي ) يعؼ

0 1 1

11011100000000010011002100010 is in fact a multiple of seven twice

(224716326530612449204124490 x 7 x 7).

Furthermore, each special letter is cited as follows in the above passage:



‘Ayn (ع) is repeated 4 times.

83

Sīn (س) is repeated 2 times.


Arranging these repetitions creates:

ق ح م ع س


1 2 4 3 2


It must be noted, of course, that Al-Shūra opens with two different special phrases, ḥm and

‘sq. What can be found, therefore, if the letters of each special phrase on its own were

located in the above verses?

Searching first for only ḥm – that is, ḥā’ (ح) and mīm (م) – gives rise to the following:


0 0 1 0

(إ ف) إف (ـؿ ؿ أ عؾ ا ) كالعمـ (ر حا ؿ ب ) البحر (ؼ ي)ى ف

0 1 1 0

يح ( ؾ ف س ي) يسكف (ي ش أ) يشأ (ؼ ي ظ ؿ ؿ ف) فيظممف (حا ؿ ر ي ) الر

0 1 0 0


0 0 0 0


0 0 0 0

(ىػػػ ف ب ؽي و ) يوبقيف (أ و) أو (ش ؾ و ر) شكور (ص ب ا ر) صبار

0 0 0 0


84

0 0 1

(ؾ ث ي ر) كثير (ف ع) عف (ؼع ي ) يعؼ

0 0 0


(142857142857144285871430 x 7).

Next, we locate in these verses only ʿayn (ع) , sīn (س) and qāf (ق) , which form the second

special phrase, namely ‘sq (notably, there are precisely seven ‘sq letters in this passage):


0 0 0 0

(إ ف) إف (ـؿ عؾ ا ؿ أ ) كالعمـ (ر حا ؿ ب ) البحر (ؼ ي)ى ف

0 1 0 0

يح ( ؾ ف سي ) يسكف (ي ش أ) يشأ (ؼ ي ظ ؿ ؿ ف) فيظممف (حا ؿ ر ي ) الر

0 0 1 0


0 0 1 0


0 0 0 0

(ىػػػ ف ؽي و ب ) يوبقيف (أ و) أو (ش ؾ و ر) شكور (ص ب ا ر) صبار

1 0 0 0


0 1 0

(ؾ ث ي ر) كثير (ف ع) عف (ؼ عي ) يعؼ

0 1 1

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Remarkably, the number 11010100000000010001001000000 is another multiple of seven

(1572871428571430000143000000 x 7).

Ḥm ‘sq in verse 36: This life vs. the hereafter

In the 36th verse, God Almighty presents the following assurance:

What you have been given is only the fleeting enjoyment of this world. Far better and more

lasting is what God will give to those who believe and trust in their Lord (36) [Al-Shūra,

42:36]

The ḥm ‘sq letters are distributed in the following manner:

(ش ي) شيء (ف ـ) مف (ـأ و ت ي ت ) أوتيتـ (ا ـؼ ) افم

0 1 1 1

(و) و (ا ؿ د ف ي ا) الدنيا (ي و ىػػػ حا ؿ ) الحيوة (عت ـؼ ) فمتع

0 0 1 2

(خ ي ر) خير (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو (ف د ع) عند (ا ـ) ما

0 0 1 1

(ف و ا ـا ) ءامنوا (ؿ ؿ ذ ي ف) لمذيف (ي ؽأ ب ) أبقى( و) و

1 0 1 0

(ي ت و ؾ ؿ و ف) يتوكموف (ـر ب ىػػػ ) ـ ربي (ؿ ي ع) عمى( و) و

0 1 1 0

1101010001100120111 is a multiple of seven (157287143014302873 x 7). Equally, it is a

multiple of seven when reversed (1110210011000101011 = 158601430142871573 x 7).

Ḥm ‘sq in verse 49: God alone determines gender

It is common knowledge that the gender of a new-born child is not the choice of its

parents. They may have a particular preference in mind – which may or may not come true

86

– but the outcome is never in their hands. In confirmation of this fact, God declares in the

49th verse of Al-Shūra:

God has control of the heavens and the earth; He creates whatever He will– He grants

female offspring to whoever He will, male to whoever He will (49) [Al-Shūra, 42:49]

Interestingly, the above verse is the 49th of Al-Shūra (49 = 7 x 7), and the total number of ḥm

‘sq letters it contains is seven. But more importantly, how are these seven letters organised

across its words? This is demonstrated below:

(و)و ( و تس ـ ا ؿ )السموت ( ؿ ؾ ـ)ممؾ ( ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)لمو

0 2 1 0

(ي ش ا)يشاء ( ا ـ)ما ( ؽي خ ؿ )خمؽ ي ( ا ؿ أ ر ض)الرض

0 1 1 0

(إ ف ث ا )إنثا ( ي ش ا)يشاء ( ف ـؿ )لمف ( ي ىػػػ ب)ييب

0 0 1 0

( ف ـؿ )لمف ( ي ىػػػ ب)ييب ( و)و

1 0 0

(ا ؿ ذ ؾ و ر)الذكور ( ي ش ا)يشاء

0 0


As brilliant as the above outcome is, which was deduced from a particularly magnificent

and powerful verse, separately searching for the letters of each special phrase creates

equally superb results. First, locating the letters of ḥm produces the arrangement below:

(و)و ( و تـ ا ؿ س)السموت ( ؿ ؾ ـ)ممؾ ( ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)لمو

0 1 1 0

87

(ي ش ا)يشاء ( ا ـ)ما ( ي خ ؿ ؽ)يخمؽ ( ا ؿ أ ر ض)الرض

0 1 0 0

(إ ف ث ا )إنثا ( ي ش ا)يشاء ( ف ـؿ )لمف ( ي ىػػػ ب)ييب

0 0 1 0

( ف ـؿ )لمف ( ي ىػػػ ب)ييب ( و)و

1 0 0


0 0


In the same way, finding the letters of ‘sq gives rise to the following arrangement:

(و)و ( و ت ـس ا ؿ )السموت ( ـ ؿ ؾ)ممؾ ( ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)لمو

0 1 0 0

(ي ش ا)يشاء ( ـ ا)ما ( ؽي خ ؿ )يخمؽ ( أ ر ض ا ؿ)الرض

0 0 1 0

(إ ف ث ا )إنثا ( ي ش ا)يشاء ( ؿ ـ ف) لمف ( ي ىػػػ ب)ييب

0 0 0 0

( ؿ ـ ف)ف لم ( ي ىػػػ ب)ييب ( و)و

0 0 0


0 0

Amazingly, and as relatively small as the result is, the number 100100 is a multiple of seven

as well (14300 x 7).

88

Ḥm ‘sq in the final two verses

The last two verses of Al-Shūra, verses 52 and 53, are connected in meaning. The 52nd verse

features God Almighty telling the Prophet Muḥammad that he is no more than a messenger

of God, and that God has granted him the light of the Qur‖an and guided him to the straight

path. The final verse follows on this by confirming that this straight path is that of God, to

whom everything belongs.

That being said, it would make sense to look for the arrangement of ḥm ‘sq in both verses

together, which, of course, will produce a relatively large number. In any case, Al-Shūra’s

final two verses state:

So We have revealed a spirit to you [Prophet] by Our command: you knew neither the

Scripture nor the faith, but We made it a light, guiding with it whoever We will of Our

servants. You give guidance to the straight path, (52) the path of God, to whom belongs all

that is in the heavens and earth: truly everything will return to God. (53) [Al-Shūra, 42:52-

53]

Searching for ḥm ‘sq in the words of these concluding verses creates this arrangement:

(إ ؿ ي ؾ)إليؾ ( ي ف ا حأ و )أوحينا ( ؾ ذ ؿ ؾ)كذلؾ ( و)و

0 1 0 0

(ا ـ)ما ( ر ف ا ـأ )أمرنا ( ف ـ)مف ( ا حر و )روحا

1 1 1 1

(ا ؿ ؾ ت ب)الكتب ( ا ـ)ما ( ت د ر ي) ىتدر ( ؾ ف ت)كنت

0 1 0 0

يمف ( ؿ ا)ل ( و)و (ؿ ؾ ف)لكف ( و)و ( ف ـا ؿ إ ي )ال

0 0 1 0 0

(ب ىػػػ)بو ( ت ىػػػ د ي) ىنيد ( ف و ر ا )را نو ( ؿ ف ىػػػ عج )جعمنو

89

0 0 0 1

(ب ا د ف ا ع)عبادنا ( ف ـ)مف ( ف ش ا)نشاء ( ف ـ)مف

1 1 0 1

(ؿ ت ىػػػ د ي) ىلتيد ( إ ف ؾ)نؾ إ ( و)و

0 0 0

(ـي ؽت ـ س)مستقيـ ( ص ر ط)صرط ( يإ ؿ )إلى

4 0 0

(ؿ ىػػػ)لو ( ا ؿ ذ ي) ىذ ال ( ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)المو ( ص ر ط)صرط

0 0 0 0

(و)و ( و ت س ـا ؿ )السموت ( ؼ ي) ىف ( ا ـ)ما

0 2 0 1

(أ ؿ ا)أل ( ا ؿ أ ر ض)الرض ( ؼ ي) ىف ( ا ـ)ما

0 0 0 1

(و ر ـا ؿ أ )المور ( ت ص ي ر)تصير ( ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)المو ( يإ ؿ )إلى

1 0 0 0

The above arrangement produces the 47-digit number

10000001020100004000001101000100100010011110100, which, despite its size, is a perfect,

decimal-free multiple of seven (1428571574300000571428728714300014287144444300 x 7).

Worth noting is that even separating the above two verses and finding the letters of ḥm ‘sq

in each verse on its own still produces a multiple of seven in both cases. That being said,

the arrangement that arises from locating ḥm ‘sq in the very last verse of this chapter

creates 1000000102010000, which is a multiple of seven even when reversed (just like the

third verse of the chapter, which comes directly after the two special phrases!). In other

words, verse three (the first verse in this chapter to follow the special phrases found in

verses one and two) and the last verse of this chapter both produce outcomes that are

multiples of seven when read from either direction.

Furthermore, in verse 52, the ḥm ‘sq letters occur as follows:

90




Sīn (س) is repeated 1 time.


In verse 53, these letters are repeated as follows:





Qāf (ق) is repeated 0 times.

Combining these repetitions into a single arrangement creates a magnificent result:

Verse 53 Verse 52

ق ح م ع س ق ح م ع س

Qāf Sīn ʿAyn Mīm Ḥā’ Qāf Sīn ʿAyn Mīm Ḥā’

0 1 0 4 0 1 1 2 9 2


Ḥm ‘sq in the seventh verse

Realising that this chapter appears to be inextricably linked to the number seven, I

wondered: could the seventh verse of this chapter have anything interesting to add? This

verse states:

So We have revealed an Arabic Qur‖an to you, in order that you may warn the capital city47

and all who live nearby. And warn [especially] about the Day of Gathering, of which there is

no doubt, when some shall be in the Garden and some in the blazing Flame. (7) [Al-Shūra,

42:7]

47 Literally ―the mother of cities‖, i.e. Mecca.

91

In this verse, the total number of ḥm letters is six. The total number of ‘sq letters is eight.

In total, therefore, the letters of the two special phrases ḥm ‘sq are found fourteen times in

this seventh verse of Al-Shūra, and fourteen is a multiple of seven (2 x 7).

That is not all, however. In order to extract precisely how many times each of the five

special letters are repeated in this verse, the letters of every word will be broken down, and

any occurrence of these five letters will be marked in red:


ـ ( ؿ ت ف ذ ر)لتنذر ( ر ب ي ا ع)عربيا ( ف ا ار ؽ) رءاناق (ـأ )أ

(و)و ( و ؿ ىػػػ ا ح)حوليا ( ف ـ)مف ( و)و ( ير ؽا ؿ )القرى

(ؿ ا)ل ( ـ عا ؿ ج )الجمع ( ـ ي و)يوـ ( ت ف ذ ر)تنذر

(ؽؼ ر ي )فريؽ ( ؼ ي ىػػػ)فيو ( ر ي ب)ريب

(و)و ( ا ؿ ج ف ىػػػ)الجنة ( ؼ ي) ىف

(ي ر س عا ؿ )السعير ( ؼ ي) ىف ( ؽؼ ر ي )فريؽ

From the above illustration, one can deduce that the fourteen repetitions of ḥm ‘sq are

distributed among these special letters in the following manner:





Qāf (ق) is repeated 4 times.

Combining these repetitions into a single arrangement gives rise to the following:

ق ح م ع س

92


4 1 3 4 2

The number 41342 is a multiple of seven (5906 x 7)48. In this is yet another glimpse of the

sheer wisdom behind the placement of ḥā’ before mīm, ʿayn before sīn, and so on.

Not only that, but separating the above arrangement by considering each special phrase on

its own still produces multiples of seven. Beginning with ḥm:

ح م

Mīm Ḥā’

4 2


The same is true for ‘sq:

ق ع س

Qāf Sīn ʿAyn

4 1 3


Amazingly, the marvels of this verse are not complete. The letter ḥā’ (ح) , the first letter of

Al-Shūra’s first special phrase, is repeated a mere two times in this verse. Nevertheless, the

arrangement of these two repetitions forms a multiple of seven:


0 1 0 0

ـ ( ؿ ت ف ذ ر)لتنذر ( ع ر ب ي ا )عربيا ( ف ا اؽ ر ) قرءانا (أ ـ)أ

0 0 0 0

48 Note the resemblance of this result to that of arranging, in the same way, the letters of almr in verse 37 of

Surat Al-Ra‘d, which also speaks of the Arabic language. Such verses seem to point to the inherent wisdom of

this language (and to the importance of paying close attention to its letters).

93

(و)و ( و ؿ ىػػػ ا ح)حوليا ( ـ ف)مف ( و)و ( يا ؿ ؽ ر )القرى

0 1 0 0 0

(ؿ ا)ل ( ا ؿ ج ـ ع)الجمع ( ي و ـ)يوـ ( ت ف ذ ر)تنذر

0 0 0 0

(ؼ ر ي ؽ)فريؽ ( ؼ ي ىػػػ)فيو ( ر ي ب)ريب

0 0 0

(و)و ( ػا ؿ ج ف ىػػ)الجنة ( ؼ ي) ىف

0 0 0

(ا ؿ س ع ي ر)السعير ( ؼ ي) ىف ( ؼ ر ي ؽ)فريؽ

0 0 0


In the same way, the letter ʿayn (ع) , the first letter of Al-Shūra’s second special phrase, is

arranged across this verse in harmony with the number seven, despite being repeated only

three times:

(إ ؿ ي ؾ)إليؾ ( أ و ح ي ف ا)أوحينا ( ؾ ذ ؿ ؾ)كذلؾ ( و)و

0 0 0 0

ـ ( ؿ ت ف ذ ر)لتنذر ( ر ب ي ا ع)عربيا ( ف ا اؽ ر ) قرءانا (أ ـ)أ

0 0 1 0

(و)و ( ح و ؿ ىػػػ ا)حوليا ( ـ ف)مف ( و)و ( يا ؿ ؽ ر )القرى

0 0 0 0 0

(ؿ ا)ل ( عا ؿ ج ـ )الجمع ( ي و ـ)يوـ ( ت ف ذ ر)تنذر

0 1 0 0

(ؼ ر ي ؽ)فريؽ ( ؼ ي ىػػػ)فيو ( ر ي ب)ريب

94

0 0 0


0 0 0

(ي ر عا ؿ س )عير الس ( ؼ ي) ىف ( ؼ ر ي ؽ)فريؽ

1 0 0


Furthermore, the last letter of the second special phrase, namely qāf (ق) , which is repeated

four times in this verse, is also organised in a manner which produces a multiple of seven:

(ؿ ي ؾإ )إليؾ ( أ و ح ي ف ا)أوحينا ( ؾ ذ ؿ ؾ)كذلؾ ( و)و

0 0 0 0

ـ ( ؿ ت ف ذ ر)لتنذر ( ع ر ب ي ا )عربيا ( ف ا ار ؽ) قرءانا (أ ـ)أ

0 0 0 1

(و)و ( ا ح و ؿ ىػػػ)حوليا ( ـ ف)مف ( و)و ( ير ؽا ؿ )القرى

0 0 0 0 1

(ؿ ا) ل ( ا ؿ ج ـ ع)الجمع ( ي و ـ)يوـ ( ت ف ذ ر)تنذر

0 0 0 0

(ؽؼ ر ي )فريؽ ( ؼ ي ىػػػ)فيو ( ر ي ب)ريب

1 0 0


0 0 0

(ا ؿ س ع ي ر)السعير ( ؼ ي) ىف ( ؽؼ ر ي )فريؽ

0 0 1


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Words literally containing ḥm: intriguing insight

The special phrase ḥm, though in itself has no real meaning, consists of two letters that

often come together to help create a meaningful word. To strike a parallel example in

English, the letters ―th‖ have no meaning on their own, but are often written together as

part of a word, such as in ―ethics‖, which, of course, is an actual word.

Similarly, there are words in Al-Shūra which contain the letters ḥm (حم) as part of a word,

such as (دحمال) ―The Praiseworthy‖, (ةحمر) ―mercy‖, and so on. Across the entire chapter,

there are five such words, and these are:

(دحمب) ―with the praise‖, found in verse 5.

(تهحمر) ―His mercy‖, found in verse 8.

(تهحمر) ―His mercy‖, found in verse 28.

(دحمال) ―The Praiseworthy‖, found also in verse 28.

(ةحمر) ―mercy‖, found in verse 48.

Arranging the verse numbers pertaining to each word above produces a magnificent result:

حمد رحمةبحمد رحمته رحمته ال

Verse Verse Verse Verse Verse

48 28 28 8 5

Interestingly, the number 48282885 is a multiple of seven, not once, in fact, but twice

(985365 x 7 x 7).

Next, we move on to a feature of this chapter that is even more out of the ordinary.

ḤM ‘SQ: A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF MIRACLE

The profoundness of the numeric arrangements that will now be witnessed is monumentally

greater than that of those already encountered with respect to ḥm ‘sq. The arrangements to

follow involve far greater detail than previously observed.

The following table is the result of a decent amount of counting. It represents the total

number of each special letter in every one of Al-Shūra’s 53 verses. Despite the sheer amount

of numbers in this table, readers are assured of their accuracy, as they have been verified

many times. Still, readers wishing to personally confirm this may certainly do so:

96

Ḥā’, Mīm, ʿAyn, Sīn and Qāf in Surat Al-Shūra

Verse Qāf Sīn ʿAyn Total ʿAyn, Sīn

and Qāf Letters Mīm Ḥā’

Total Ḥā’ and Mīm Letters

1 0 0 0 0 1 1 2

2 1 1 1 3 0 0 0

3 1 0 1 2 2 2 4

4 0 1 2 3 4 0 4

5 1 3 0 4 7 3 10

6 0 0 2 2 4 1 5

7 4 1 3 8 4 2 6

8 0 0 1 1 8 2 10

9 1 0 1 2 3 1 4

10 0 0 1 1 5 1 6

11 0 4 3 7 9 0 9

12 3 2 1 6 4 0 4

13 2 2 4 8 12 2 14

14 3 2 3 8 15 0 15

15 2 1 6 9 17 1 18

16 0 1 4 5 6 3 9

17 2 1 2 5 2 1 3

18 2 2 4 8 6 1 7

19 2 0 2 4 1 0 1

20 0 0 0 0 5 3 8

21 1 0 2 3 11 0 11

22 2 1 3 6 10 1 11

23 3 3 3 9 5 3 8

24 4 0 3 7 5 3 8

25 1 1 6 8 2 0 2

26 0 1 2 3 5 1 6

27 2 1 2 5 1 0 1

28 1 0 1 2 4 2 6

29 2 1 2 5 7 0 7

30 0 1 2 3 6 0 6

31 0 0 1 1 7 0 7

32 0 0 1 1 2 1 3

97

33 0 1 1 2 0 1 1

34 1 1 2 4 1 0 1

35 0 0 1 1 5 1 6

36 1 0 3 4 7 1 8

37 0 0 0 0 3 1 4

38 3 1 0 4 8 0 8

39 0 0 0 0 2 0 2

40 0 2 2 4 3 2 5

41 0 1 2 3 5 0 5

42 1 2 2 5 4 1 5

43 0 0 1 1 4 0 4

44 1 1 2 4 8 0 8

45 3 3 4 10 11 0 11

46 0 1 0 1 8 0 8

47 1 1 0 2 13 0 13

48 2 4 3 9 8 3 11

49 1 1 0 2 5 0 5

50 2 0 3 5 4 0 4

51 0 2 1 3 5 4 9

52 1 1 2 4 9 2 11

53 0 1 0 1 4 0 4

TOTALS 57 53 98 208 297 51 348

As the above table illustrates, the totals for ḥm are separated from those of ‘sq, simply

because these are two different special phrases found in two different verses.

To begin with, the total number of ḥm and ‘sq letters are clearly shown as 348 and 208,

respectively. Arranging these two numbers represents the first and easiest multiple of

seven that can be extracted from the above table:

Total ‘sq letters Total ḥm letters

208 348

The number 208348 is a multiple of seven twice (4252 x 7 x 7).

What if a more ambitious step was taken? How about arranging the total number of ḥm

letters from every verse? This would create an arrangement that looks something like this:

98

Verse 53 Verse 52 Verse 51 <<<< Verse 1

ḥm letters ḥm letters ḥm letters <<<< ḥm letters

4 11 9 <<<< 2

The resulting number is

4119451113811845552848611376761628811118173918151449641065104402. This number,

despite being no less than 64 digits in length, is a perfect, decimal-free multiple of seven

(588493016258835078978373053823089830159739131164492805866443486 x 7)!

There was no doubt what I wanted to try next. The above result had me wondering: what if

the same outcome repeated itself with ―sq, the second special phrase? Wouldn‖t that be

quite simply majestic?

I constructed an arrangement that looked like this:

Verse 53 Verse 52 Verse 51 <<<< Verse 1

‘sq letters ‘sq letters ‘sq letters <<<< ‘sq letters

1 4 3 <<<< 0

The number resulting from the above arrangement is

143529211041534040414211352538796304855988671218243230. This, remarkably, is also a

multiple of seven (20504173005933434344887336076970900693712667316891890 x 7).

Hardly believing what I had just witnessed, I wondered: could there be anything else? As

extraordinary as it may seem, there was at least one more.

What if an arrangement was constructed representing the number of separate ḥā’ and

(separate) mīm letters of each verse, instead of the sum of ḥā’ and mīm in every verse? To

clarify matters, such an arrangement would of course be by far the largest yet, and would

look like this:

Verse 53 Verse 52 <<<< Verse 1

Total m Total ḥ Total m Total ḥ <<<< Total m Total ḥ

4 0 9 2 <<<< 1 1

The result is

40925440508313080110804041503220803171511001217060704210512053531011105310612163

171150122409051318242417340220011.

Almost defying description, this 113-digit number is a perfect multiple of seven

(5846491501187582872972005929031543310215857316722957744358864790144443615801737

595878588915578759748916762888573 x 7).

99

YĀ SĪN: THE HEART OF THE QUR‖AN

In addition to alm, another one of Al-Kaḥeel‖s discoveries which relate to the special letters

is that of yā sīn, from the chapter holding the same name. A Prophetic ḥadīth (saying) exists

which states that everything has a heart, and that this chapter, namely Yā Sīn, is the heart

of the Qur‖an. Despite claims that the chain of this ḥadīth may be weak, Muslim scholars

have generally accepted that designating this status to Yā Sīn is not at all unreasonable, and

have justified the rationale for this.

Al-Kaḥeel, moreover, finds a numeric explanation for this. Throughout his works, he

stresses that Qur‖anic numbers are quite often expressive of the words to which they

pertain (even if this has absolutely nothing to do with the number seven; as seen earlier

with the number 58 in verse 58 of Al-Rūm and 114 in verse 31 of Al-Ra‘d). This is what he

discovers upon looking more closely at the first two verses of Yā Sīn:

Yā Sīn (1) By the wise Qur‖an49 (2) [Yā Sīn, 36:1-2]

A simple letter count of the words of these two verses produces the following arrangement:

(ا ؿ ح ؾ ي ـ)الحكيـ ( ا ؿ ؽ ر ا ف)القرءاف ( و)و ( ي س)يس

6 6 1 2

This passage clearly addresses the pure wisdom of the Qur‖an, as God is in fact swearing by

the Qur‖an. Fittingly, it is found that the number 6612 is a multiple of 114, which, as

mentioned earlier, is the number of chapters in the Qur‖an. More specifically, 6612 is a

product of 114 and 58 (6612 = 58 x 114). 58, as seen earlier in the example from Surat Al-

Rūm, is the number of times the word ―Qur‖an‖ is found in the Qur‖an.

Yet that is not all. Next, Al-Kaḥeel turns to ponder on the very phrase ―heart of the Qur‖an‖,

which in Arabic is Qalb Al-Qur’an (قلب القرآن) . Interestingly, the word qalb (قلب) not only

means heart, but is another word for transformation or reversal50.

As per this reasoning, he deduces the need to reverse the number 6612, giving rise to a new

number, namely 2166. Incredibly, this number is again a multiple of 114, and is in fact a

49 The word Ḥakīm (حكم) , denoting ―the wise‖, is understood in various ways: ―to mean “full of wisdom”, to

suggest that it gives decisions on matters, and to convey that it is perfected and well formed‖ (Abdel Ḥaleem,

The Qur’an, p. 128). 50 In fact, perhaps part of the reason why the heart is called qalb is due to its ability to constantly change

emotion (taqallub). A heart which is said to be of ―stone‖, therefore, does not easily perform taqallub.

100

product of 114 and nineteen (2166 = 19 x 114). But what is significant about nineteen in

relation to this chapter? Astoundingly, out of the 29 special-phrased chapters, Yā Sīn is

exactly the nineteenth chapter in the Qur‖an to open with a special phrase.

Al-Kaḥeel notes that the number seven is not absent from this chapter, however. The total

number of yā’ (ي) letters in this chapter is 236, and the total number of sīn (س) letters is 47.

Both totals have been independently verified both by myself and Al-Kaḥeel51. Arranging

these two totals creates the following:

Total Sīn Letters Total Yā’ Letters

47 236

The number 47236 is a multiple of seven twice (964 x 7 x 7). Notably, the digit sum of the

quotient is nineteen, a reference again to the order of Yā Sīn among the chapters

containing special phrases (9 + 6 + 4 = 19).

Moreover, the first five verses of the chapter state:

Yā Sīn (1) By the wise Qur‖an, (2) you [Muḥammad] are truly one of the messengers sent (3)

on a straight path, (4) with a revelation from the Almighty, the Lord of Mercy (5) [Yā Sīn,

36:1-5]

Locating the special letters yā’ (ي) and sīn (س) in this passage of verses creates the

arrangement below:

( ـ يا ؿ ح ؾ )الحكيـ ( ا ؿ ؽ ر ا ف)القرءاف ( و)و ( ي س)يس

1 0 0 2

(يع ؿ )عمى ( ف يؿ سا ؿ ـ ر )المرسميف ( ؿ ـ ف)لمف ( إ ف ؾ)إنؾ

1 2 0 0

(ؿ يت ف ز )تنزيؿ ( ـ يت ؽ سـ )مستقيـ (ص ر ط)صرط

1 2 0

51 Al-Kaḥeel, Mawsū‘at, pp. 275-276.

101

(ـ يؿ ر ح ا )الرحيـ ( ز يا ؿ ع ز )العزيز

1 1


Furthermore, the final verse of this chapter states:

So glory be to Him in whose Hand lies control over all things. It is to Him that you will all be

brought back.‖ (83) [Yā Sīn, 36:83]

The letters yā’ (ي) and sīn (س) are distributed in this verse in the following manner:

( د ىػػػ يب )بيده ( يا ؿ ذ ) ىالذ ( ب ح ف سؼ )فسبحف

1 1 1

( يش )شيء ( ؾ ؿ)كؿ ( ـ ؿ ؾ و ت)ت ممكو

1 0 0

(ت ر ج ع و ف)ترجعوف ( ىػػػ يإ ؿ )إليو ( و)و

0 1 0

10100111 is a multiple of seven (1442873 x 7). Also, this concluding verse contains four yā’

(ي) letters and one sīn (س) letter, which produces another arrangement:

sīn (س) yā’ (ي)

1 4


Continuing with this chapter, verses 33 to 35 present one of God‖s signs:

102

There is a sign for them in the lifeless earth: We give it life and We produce grain from it

for them to eat; (33) We have put gardens of date palms and grapes in the earth, and We

have made springs of water gush out of it (34) so that they could eat its fruit. It was not

their own hands that made all this. How can they not give thanks? (35) [Yā Sīn, 36:33-35]

Yā’ (ي) and sīn (س) are found as follows in these verses:

(ا ؿ أ ر ض) الرض (ؿ ىػػػ ـ) ليـ (ىػػػ يا ) ءاية ( و) و

0 0 1 0

(أ خ ر ج ف ا) أخرجنا( و) و (ف ىػػػ ا ي ي أ ح) أحيينيا (ت ىػػػ يا ؿ ـ ) الميتة

0 0 2 1

(أ ؾ ؿ و ف ي) يأكموف (ؼ ـ ف ىػػػ) فمنو (ح ب ا ) حبا (ـ ف ىػػػ ا) منيا

1 0 0 0

(ج ف ا ت) جنات (ىػػػ ا يؼ ) فييا (ا ج ع ؿ ف) جعمنا( و) و

0 1 0 0

(و) و ( أ ع ف ب) أعنب ( و) و (ؿ يف خ ) نخيؿ (ـ ف) مف

0 0 0 1 0

رنا (و ف يا ؿ ع ) العيوف (ـ ف) مف (ىػػػ ا يؼ ) فييا (ؼ ج ر ف ا) فج

1 0 1 0

(و) و (ث ـ ر ىػػػ) ثمره (ـ ف) مف (أ ؾ ؿ و ا يؿ ) ليأكموا

0 0 0 1

(ىػػػ ـ يد يأ ) أيدييـ (ع ـ ؿ ت ىػػػ) عممتو ( ـ ا) ما

103

2 0 0

(ش ؾ ر و ف ي) يشكروف (أ ؼ ؿ ا) أفال

1 0

Incredibly, the number 1020000011010000100100100000210010 is a multiple of seven twice

(20816326755306124491838775514490 x 7 x 7).

The following two verses ask mankind to contemplate their creation:

He produces arguments against Us, forgetting his own creation. He says, ―Who can give life

back to bones after they have decayed?‖ (78) Say, ―He who created them in the first place

will give them life again: He has full knowledge of every act of creation. (79) [Yā Sīn, 36:78-

79]

The special letters of ys are distributed as follows in this passage:

(و) و (ـ ث ؿ ا ) مثال (ؿ ف ا) لنا ( ض ر ب) ضرب ( و) و

0 0 0 0 0

(ـ ف) مف (ؽ ا ؿ) قاؿ (خ ؿ ؽ ىػػػ) خمقو (س يف ) نسي

0 0 0 2

(يىػػػ ) ىي ( و) و ( ا ؿ ع ظ ا ـ) العظاـ (يح ي) يحى

1 0 0 2

(يا ؿ ذ )ى الذ (ىػػػ ا ي يح ي) يحيييا (ؽ ؿ) قؿ (ـ ير ـ ) رميـ

1 3 0 1

ؿ (أ ىػػػ اأ ف ش ) أنشأىا (و) و (ـ ر ىػػػ) مرة (أ و ؿ) أو

0 0 0 0

(ـ يع ؿ ) عميـ (خ ؿ ؽ) خمؽ (ب ؾ ؿ) بكؿ (ىػػػ و) ىو

104

1 0 0 0


The second of these verses tells the Prophet to state that it is He, God, who created

mankind. Appropriately, locating the letters of Allah in this verse – alif (أ), lām (ل) and hāʾ

:produces an astounding outcome – (هـــ)

(ذ ي ا ؿ) ىالذ (ىػػػ اي ح ي ي ) يحيييا (ؿؽ ) قؿ

2 2 1

ؿ (أ ىػػػ اف ش أ) أنشأىا (و) و (ىػػػـ ر ) مرة (ؿو أ) أو

0 1 2 4

(ـ ي ؿع ) عميـ (ؽ ؿخ ) خمؽ (ؿب ؾ ) بكؿ (و ىػػػ) ىو

1 1 1 1

The number 11110124221, beautifully, is a multiple of seven twice (226737229 x 7 x 7).

Notably, the opening two verses of this chapter are by no means the only ones to give

reference to the Qur‖an‖s ―signs‖ through the number 114.

The twelfth verse issues a powerful statement:

We shall certainly bring the dead back to life, and We record what they send ahead of them

as well as what they leave behind: We keep an account of everything in a clear Record. (12)

[Yā Sīn, 36:12]

The letters of ys are organised as follows:

(يا ؿ ـ و ت ) الموتى (يف ح ) نحى (ف ح ف) نحف (إ ف ا) إنا

1 1 0 0

(و) و (ؽ د ـ و ا) قدموا (ـ ا) ما (ف ؾ ت ب) نكتب ( و) و

0 0 0 0 0

105

(يش ) شيء (ؾ ؿ) كؿ ( و) و (ا ث ر ىػػػ ـ) ءاثرىـ

1 0 0 0

(ف يـ ب ) مبيف (إ ـ ا ـ) إماـ (يؼ )ى ف (ف ىػػػ يأ ح ص ) أحصينو

1 0 1 1

The number 10111000000001100 is a multiple of 114 (88692982456150 x 114).

Next, the following verses expound, with sheer beauty, just a few of this universe‖s marvels:

The night is also a sign for them: We strip the daylight from it, and– lo and behold!– they

are in darkness. (37) The sun, too, runs its determined course laid down for it by the

Almighty, the All Knowing. (38) We have determined phases for the moon until finally it

becomes like an old date-stalk. (39) The sun cannot overtake the moon, nor can the night

outrun the day: each floats in [its own] orbit. (40) Another sign for them is that We carried

their seed in the laden Ark, (41) and We have made similar things for them to ride in. (42) If

We wished, We could drown them, and there would be no one to help them: they could not

be saved. (43) Only by Our mercy could they be reprieved to enjoy life for a while. (44) [Yā

Sīn, 36:37-44]

Finding the letters of ys in the words of this passage creates an immaculate outcome:

(ؿ خ سف ) نسمخ (ؿ يا ؿ ) اليؿ (ؿ ىػػػ ـ) ليـ (ىػػػ يا ) ءاية ( و) و

1 1 0 1 0

(ىػػػ ـ) ىـ (ؼ إ ذ ا) فإذا (ا ؿ ف ىػػػ ا ر) النيار (ـ ف ىػػػ) منو

0 0 0 0

106

(يت ج ر ) تجري (سا ؿ ش ـ ) الشمس ( و) و (ـ ظ ؿ ـ و ف) مظمموف

1 1 0 0

(ر يت ؽ د ) تقدير (ذ ؿ ؾ) ذلؾ (ؿ ىػػػ ا) ليا (ت ؽ ر سؿ ـ ) لمستقر

1 0 0 1

(ا ؿ ؽ ـ ر) القمر ( و) و (ـ يا ؿ ع ؿ ) العميـ (ز يا ؿ ع ز ) العزيز

0 0 1 1

(ع ا د) عاد (يح ت ) حتى (ـ ف ا ز ؿ) منازؿ (ؽ د ر ف ىػػػ) قدرنو

0 1 0 0

(ؿ ا) ل (ـ يا ؿ ؽ د ) القديـ (ؾ ا ؿ ع ر ج و ف) كالعرجوف

0 1 0

(أ ف) أف (ؿ ىػػػ ا) ليا (يف ب غ ي) ينبغي (سا ؿ ش ـ ) الشمس

0 0 2 1

(ؿ يا ؿ ) اليؿ (ؿ ا) ل ( و) و (ا ؿ ؽ ـ ر) القمر (ت د ر ؾ) تدرؾ

1 0 0 0 0

(ؾ ؿ) كؿ ( و) و (ا ؿ ف ىػػػ ا ر) النيار (ا ب ؽ س) سابؽ

0 0 0 1

(و) و (ب ح و في س ) يسبحوف (ؼ ؿ ؾ) فمؾ (يؼ )ى ف

0 2 0 1

(ح ـ ؿ ف ا) حممنا (أ ف ا) أنا (ؿ ىػػػ ـ) ليـ (ىػػػ يا ) ءاية

0 0 0 1

يتيـ (ا ؿ ؼ ؿ ؾ) الفمؾ (يؼ )ى ف (ت ىػػػ ـ يذ ر ) ذر

0 1 1

107

(ؿ ىػػػ ـ) ليـ (خ ؿ ؽ ف ا) خمقنا( و) و (ا ؿ ـ ش ح و ف) المشحوف

0 0 0 0

ثمو (ـ ف) مف (ر ؾ ب و ف ي) يركبوف (ـ ا) ما (ـ ث ؿ ىػػػ) م

1 0 0 0

(ؼ ؿ ا) فال (ف غ ر ؽ ىػػػ ـ) نغرقيـ (ف ش أ) نشأ (إ ف) إف( و) و

0 0 0 0 0

(ىػػػ ـ) ىـ (ؿ ا) ل ( و) و (ىػػػ ـ ؿ) ليـ ( خ يص ر )صريخ

0 0 0 0 1

نا (ر ح ـ ىػػػ) رحمة ( إ ؿ ا) إل (ت ؽ ذ و ف ي) ينقذوف (ـ ف ا) م

0 0 0 1

(ف يح ) حيف (يإ ؿ ) إلى (ـ ت ع ا ) متعا ( و) و

1 1 0 0

The above arrangement results in a 78-digit number, namely

110000010000100000100000000110001020100011000000210100100001110011100000011010.

This, brilliantly, is a multiple of 114

(964912368421929825438596492192991404386061403510614913157904473781578947465 x

114)!!

Not only that, but arranging the total number of ys letters in each of these verses creates

none other than a multiple of seven (―v‖ denotes ―verse‖):

v44 v43 v42 v41 v40 v39 v38 v37

Total ys Total ys Total ys Total ys Total ys Total ys Total ys Total ys

2 2 1 3 8 2 6 3


Finally, the only other verse apart from the second to give mention to the Qur‖an in Yā Sīn

is the following:

108

We have not taught the Prophet poetry, nor could he ever have been a poet. This is a

revelation, an illuminating Qur‖an. (69) [Yā Sīn, 36:69]

Locating the letters yā’ (ي) and sīn (س) in the words of this verse reveals an exquisite result:

(ا ؿ ش ع ر) الشعر (ـ ف ىػػػع ؿ ) عممنو (ـ ا) ما( و) و

0 0 0 0

(ؿ ىػػػ) لو (يف ب غ ي) ينبغي (ـ ا) ما( و) و

0 2 0 0

(ذ ؾ ر) ذكر (إ ؿ ا) إل (ىػػػ و) ىو (إ ف) إف

0 0 0 0

(ف يـ ب ) مبيف (ؽ ر ا ف) قرءاف ( و) و

1 0 0

Appropriate to the very content of this verse, and as if to say that the Qur‖an is not only far

superior to mere poetry, but that it is indeed a ―wise, illuminating Qur‖an‖, the number

100000002000000 is a multiple of 114 (877193000000 x 114)!

ṬĀ SĪN: SEVEN, NINETEEN AND 114 FEATURE AGAIN

After exploring the above marvels of Yā Sīn, I turned to Al-Naml (Chapter: The Ants), a

chapter which also speaks of the Qur‖an, albeit somewhat differently:

Ṭā Sīn. These are the verses (or signs) of the Qur‖an ––a scripture that makes things clear

(1) [Al-Naml, 27:1]

I decided to perform the same experiment conducted earlier with both ṣād and ḥm ‘sq. That

is, I counted the total number of ṭā’ (ط) and sīn (س) letters in every one of Al-Naml’s 93

verses, and constructed quite a massive arrangement. Before showing the resulting

number, the table representing the ṭā sīn letters of each verse is given below:

109

Ṭā’ and Sīn in Surat Al-Naml

Verse Sīn Tā’ Total Tā’ and Sīn Letters 1 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 5 2 0 2 6 0 0 0 7 4 1 5 8 1 0 1 9 1 0 1

10 2 0 2 11 2 0 2 12 3 0 3 13 1 0 1 14 3 0 3 15 1 0 1 16 2 2 4 17 2 1 3 18 2 1 3 19 1 0 1 20 0 1 1 21 1 1 2 22 1 2 3 23 0 0 0 24 3 1 4 25 2 0 2 26 0 0 0 27 1 0 1 28 0 0 0 29 0 0 0 30 2 0 2 31 1 0 1 32 0 1 1 33 1 0 1 34 1 0 1 35 2 0 2 36 1 0 1 37 0 0 0 38 1 0 1 39 0 0 0

110

40 2 1 3 41 0 0 0 42 1 0 1 43 0 0 0 44 5 0 5 45 1 0 1 46 4 0 4 47 0 2 2 48 2 1 3 49 1 0 1 50 0 0 0 51 0 0 0 52 0 0 0 53 0 0 0 54 0 1 1 55 1 0 1 56 1 2 3 57 0 0 0 58 1 3 4 59 1 1 2 60 2 0 2 61 1 0 1 62 1 1 2 63 1 0 1 64 1 0 1 65 1 0 1 66 0 0 0 67 0 0 0 68 1 1 2 69 1 0 1 70 0 0 0 71 0 0 0 72 2 0 2 73 1 0 1 74 0 0 0 75 1 0 1 76 1 0 1 77 0 0 0 78 0 0 0 79 0 0 0 80 2 0 2 81 2 0 2 82 1 0 1

111

83 0 0 0 84 0 1 1 85 0 1 1 86 1 0 1 87 1 0 1 88 2 0 2 89 1 0 1 90 1 0 1 91 1 0 1 92 1 0 1 93 1 0 1

Totals 93 27 120

Observing, first of all, the total number of ṭā’ and sīn letters brings to light an amazing

connection with the chapter itself: first; it is the Qur‖an‖s 27th chapter, and there are 27 ṭā’

letters; second, it is 93 verses long, and there are exactly 93 sīn letters.

Furthermore, the 93-digit number representing the total number of ṭā sīn letters in every

verse is

11111211110122000110120012001112122403110000132415010301012111120010240321133413

1322115020002. Amazingly, it is a multiple of nineteen, and also a multiple of 114!

11111211110122000110120012001112122403110000132415010301012111120010240321133413

1322115020002 =

58480058474326316369052694742695381069000000696921106847432163789527580637544279

64321843158 x 19

11111211110122000110120012001112122403110000132415010301012111120010240321133413

1322115020002 =

97466764123877193948421157904492301781666667828201844745720272982545967729240466

0720307193 x 114

There must be a reason, of course, why these two numbers feature in this chapter, namely

Al-Naml. The first obvious justification is that, with respect first to 114, this denotes the

total number of chapters in the Qur‖an. Appropriately, the very first verse of Al-Naml gives

special attention to the signs of the Qur‖an, and its chapters, of course, are one of them. Yet

in addition, and regarding both nineteen and 114, these are numbers which are central to

112

the basmala, which consists of exactly nineteen letters and is cited precisely 114 times in

the Qur‖an52. Moreover, 114 is a multiple of nineteen (6 x 19).

However, this begs the question: why is the basmala especially important in this chapter? It

is so because Al-Naml is the only Qur‖anic chapter to feature the basmala on two occasions

rather than one: once at the very beginning, before the first verse, and once in the 30th

verse. If anything, this makes the relationship between the basmala and Al-Naml one of

particular uniqueness. Also, it must be noted that since 114 is a multiple of nineteen, any

number which is a multiple of 114 is, by default, a multiple of nineteen as well (but of

course, not every multiple of nineteen is necessarily a multiple of 114)53.

To my astonishment, the numbers nineteen and 114 still had more to offer in this chapter.

As I was about to search for the letters ṭā‖ and sīn in the first and second verses of this

chapter, it came to my attention that apart from the special phrase ṭā sīn, these verses

contained no ṭā’ or sīn letters whatsoever. Moreover, the very last verse of the chapter

contained no ṭā’ letters, and only one sīn letter. In fact, the entire chapter contained an

average of only one sīn letter per verse, and far less ṭā’ letters.

This made it somewhat difficult (and in some cases impossible) to construct a meaningful

arrangement representing the number of ṭā sīn letters in each word of a given verse, which

was the technique used earlier with alm, among others. With no intention to transgress in

any way, I thought: how then could ṭā sīn be accounted for and represented in these verses?

The idea that came to my mind was simple, and was encouraged by the fact that the first

verse of this chapter contained a statement immediately following ṭā sīn (as part of that

same first verse), which declared that these (i.e. ṭā sīn) are signs (or verses) of the Qur‖an.

That is, instead of looking for ṭā sīn in the words of any given verse, I would perform a

normal letter count of each word, which would form an arrangement. Yet crucially, I

would include the letters ṭā sīn to the beginning of this arrangement (as is the case in the

first verse) by adding to it the number two (since ṭā sīn is two letters long). This is best

explained by way of example, but in order for this idea to prove accurate and have any

merit at all, it needed to produce the same consistent result in more than just one verse.

I turned to the second verse (which contains no ṭā sīn letters at all):

52 112 of these citations are unnumbered verses situated before the first verse of their respective chapters.

The remaining two are the first verse of Al-Fātiḥa and the 30th verse of Al-Naml. 53 In other words, the above 93-digit number, which is a multiple of 114, is automatically a multiple of

nineteen too. The result of dividing it by nineteen was merely shown to explain the importance of the

number nineteen to the basmala and its presence in this chapter.

113

a guide and joyful news for the believers (2) [Al-Naml, 27:2]

I would now count the letters of the above verse, and include the number two, which would

denote ṭā sīn, at the front of the arrangement:

(و)و ( ىػػػ د ي)ىدى ( ط س) طس

1 3 2

(ؿ ؿ ـ و ـ ف ي ف)لممؤمنيف ( ب ش ر ي)ى بشر

8 4

The number 84132 is, magnificently, a multiple 114 (738 x 114).

I then turned to the last verse of the chapter, and knew, after reading it, that if this

technique worked here, it would be a most decisive affirmation:

Say, ―Praise belongs to God: He will show you His signs so that you will recognize them.‖

Your Lord is never unmindful of what you all do. (93) [Al-Naml, 27:93]

Once again, of course, ṭā sīn is added to the beginning of the arrangement:

(ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)لمو ( ا ؿ ح ـ د)الحمد ( ؽ ؿ)قؿ ( و)و ( ط س) طس

3 5 2 1 2

ـ (ؼ ت ع ر ؼ و ف ىػػػ ا)فتعرفونيا ( ا ي ت ىػػػ)ءايتو ( س ي ر ي ؾ ـ)سيريك

9 4 6

( ر ب ؾ)ربؾ ( ـ ا)ما ( و)و

3 2 1

(ت ع ـ ؿ و ف)تعمموف ( ع ـ ا)عما ( ب غ ؼ ؿ)بغفؿ

6 3 4

Amazingly, the number 63432194635212 is indeed a multiple of 114 (556422759958 x 114).

One of this chapter‖s most wonderful verses, namely verse 62, yet again features the

number 114:

114

Who is it that answers the distressed when they call upon Him? Who removes their

suffering? Who makes you successors in the earth? Is it another god beside God? Little

notice you take! (62) [Al-Naml, 27:62]

Finding the letter count of each word (and adding ṭā sīn to the front of this verse) creates:

(ا ؿ ـ ض ط ر) المضطر (ي ج ي ب) يجيب (أ ـ ف) مف أ ( ط س)طس

6 4 3 2

(ي ؾ ش ؼ) يكشؼ ( و) و (د ع ا ىػػػ) دعاه (إ ذ ا) إذا

4 1 4 3

(خ ؿ ؼ ا) خمفاء (ي ج ع ؿ ؾ ـ) يجعمكـ ( و) و (ا ؿ س و) السوء

4 6 1 4

(ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو (ـ ع) مع (أ ؿ ىػػػ) أءلو (ا ؿ أ ر ض) الرض

4 2 3 5

(ت ذ ؾ ر و ف) تذكروف (ـ ا) ما (ؽ ؿ ي ؿ ا ) قميال

6 2 5

The number 6254235461441436432 is a multiple of 114 (54861714574047688 x 114).

Moreover, simply locating the letters of ṭā’ (ط) and sīn (س) in each word of this verse (i.e. as

was normally done with all previous special phrases) reveals quite an interesting result:

(ر طا ؿ ـ ض ) المضطر (ي ج ي ب) يجيب (أ ـ ف) أمف

1 0 0

(ي ؾ ش ؼ) يكشؼ ( و) و (د ع ا ىػػػ) دعاه (إ ذ ا) إذا

0 0 0 0

115

(خ ؿ ؼ ا) خمفاء (ي ج ع ؿ ؾ ـ) يجعمكـ ( و) و (و سا ؿ ) السوء

0 0 0 1

(ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو (ـ ع) مع (أ ؿ ىػػػ) أءلو (ا ؿ أ ر ض) الرض

0 0 0 0

(ت ذ ؾ ر و ف) تذكروف (ـ ا) ما (ؽ ؿ ي ؿ ا ) قميال

0 0 0

10000100 is not a multiple of seven at all, but in fact a multiple of eleven (909100 x 11).

Why eleven? In this result is a fact which Al-Kaḥeel himself refers to, namely that the

number eleven points to the uniqueness and Oneness of God, not only because it is an odd

number which divides only by itself and one, but also because it is a repetition and

affirmation of the number one, since it consists of ―1‖ and ―1‖. As such, he explains that

examining the letters of verses which refer to God‖s Oneness produces outcomes that are

often consistent with the number eleven54.

Beautifully, applying the method of placing ṭā sīn at the beginning of a given arrangement

to several other verses from this chapter produces, in fact, multiples of seven. This is true

for verses six, 28, 29 and 44 (which significantly vary in length), and the example of verse

six will be given:

You [Prophet] receive the Qur‖an from One who is all wise, all knowing. (6) [Al-Naml, 27:6]

Arranging the letter count of each word (whilst adding ṭā sīn to the arrangement) produces:

(ؿ ت ؿ ؽ ي)لتمقى (إ ف ؾ)إنؾ ( و)و ( ط س)طس

5 3 1 2

(ؿ د ف)لدف (ـ ف)مف (ا ؿ ؽ ر ا ف)القرءاف

3 2 6

(ع ؿ ي ـ)عميـ (ح ؾ ي ـ)حكيـ 54 Al-Kaḥeel, Ishrāqāt, p. 30.

116

4 4


In addition to all this, in several verses, normally locating the letters of ṭs creates multiples

of seven as well. Such is the case in the following two verses from the story of the Prophet

Solomon (pbuh), the second of which contains a highly accurate description (through the

use of the verb yaḥṭimannakum (حطمنكم) , which even contains the special letter ṭā’) of the

fact that ants are ―crushed‖ if stepped on, alluding, it seems, to their strong exoskeleton:

Solomon‖s hosts of jinn, men, and birds were marshalled in ordered ranks before him, (17)

and when they came to the Valley of the Ants, one ant said, ―Ants! Go into your homes, in

case Solomon and his hosts unwittingly crush you.‖ (18) [Al-Naml, 27:17-18]

The special letters ṭā’ (ط) and sīn (س) are found in these verses as follows:

(ج ف و د ىػػػ) جنوده (ؿ ي ـ ف سؿ ) لسميمف (ح ش ر) حشر ( و) و

0 1 0 0

نس ( و) و (ا ؿ ج ف) الجف (ـ ف) مف (و) و (سا ؿ إ ف ) ال

0 1 0 0 0

(ح ت ي) حتى (ي و ز ع و ف) يوزعوف (ؼ ىػػػ ـ) فيـ (ي ر طا ؿ ) الطير

0 0 0 1

(و ا د) واد (ع ؿ ي) عمى (أ ت و ا) أتوا (إ ذ ا) إذا

0 0 0 0

(ي أ ي ىػػػ ا) يأييا (ف ـ ؿ ىػػػ) نممة (ؽ ا ؿ ت) قالت (ا ؿ ف ـ ؿ) النمؿ

0 0 0 0

117

(ؿ ا) ل (ؾ ف ؾ ـ سـ ) مسكنكـ (ا د خ ؿ و ا) ادخموا (ا ؿ ف ـ ؿ) النمؿ

0 1 0 0

(ج ف و د ىػػػ) جنوده ( و) و (ؿ ي ـ ف س) سميمف (ـ ف ؾ ـ طي ح ) يحطمنكـ

0 0 1 1

(ي ش ع ر و ف) يشعروف (ؿ ا) ل (ىػػػ ـ) ىـ ( و) و

0 0 0 0

The number 110100000000000001010000100 is a multiple of seven, not once, but twice

(2246938775510204102244900 x 7 x 7). In addition, the letters ṭā’ (ط) and sīn (س) are

repeated a total of two and four times, respectively, in the above two verses. Arranging

these totals creates:

sīn (س) ṭā’ (ط)

4 2

42 is a multiple of seven (6 x 7). Even more specifically, in each of the above verses, the

letter ṭā’ (ط) is cited once, and the letter sīn (س) is cited twice. Arranging these totals gives:

Verse 18 Verse 17

sīn (س) ṭā’ (ط) sīn (س) ṭā’ (ط)

2 1 2 1


The verses to follow present one of the miracles granted to the Prophet Solomon, namely

the ability to speak to birds. After a hoopoe informs him that the Queen of Saba’ (Sheba)

and her people are worshipping the sun instead of God, he sends for the hoopoe to deliver a

letter; a message for her to worship God (note that the basmala is found in the 30th verse):

118

Solomon said, ―We shall see whether you are telling the truth or lying. (27) Take this letter

of mine and deliver it to them, then withdraw and see what answer they send back.‖ (28)

The Queen of Sheba said, ―Counsellors, a gracious letter has been delivered to me. (29) It is

from Solomon, and it says, “In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy, (30)

do not put yourselves above me, and come to me in submission to God.”‖ (31) [Al-Naml,

27:27-31]

Once again, ṭā’ (ط) and sīn (س) are organised in these verses as follows:

(أ ـ) أـ (أ ص د ؽ ت) أصدقت (ف ف ظ ر س) سننظر (ؽ ا ؿ) قاؿ

0 0 1 0

(ا ذ ىػػ ب) اذىب (ا ؿ ؾ ذ ب ي ف) الكذبيف (ـ ف) مف (ؾ ف ت) كنت

0 0 0 0

(إ ؿ ي ىػػػ ـ) إلييـ (ؼ أ ؿ ؽ ىػػػ) فألقو (ىػػػ ذ ا) ىذا( ب ؾ ت ب ي) ىبكتب

0 0 0 0

ـ (ؼ ا ف ظ ر) فانظر (ع ف ىػػػ ـ) عنيـ (ت و ؿ) توؿ (ث ـ) ث

0 0 0 0

(ي أ ي ىػػػ ا) يأييا (ت ؽ ا ؿ) قالت ( ي ر ج ع و ف) يرجعوف (ـ ا ذ ا) ماذا

0 0 0 0

(إ ؿ ي) ى إل (أ ؿ ؽ ي) ى ألق (إ ف ي)ى إن (ا ؿ ـ ؿ و ا) الممؤا

0 0 0 0

(ـ ف) مف (ف ىػػػإ ) إنو (ؾ ر ي ـ) كريـ (ؾ ت ب) كتب

0 0 0 0

(ـ س ب) بسـ (إ ف ىػػػ) إنو ( و) و (ؿ ي ـ ف س) سميمف

1 0 0 1

(أ ؿ ا) أل (ا ؿ ر ح ي ـ) الرحيـ (ا ؿ ر ح ـ ف) الرحمف (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو

0 0 0 0

119

( و) و (ع ؿ ي) ى عم (ت ع ؿ و ا) تعموا

0 0 0

(ؿ ـ ي ف سـ ) مسمميف ( أ ت و ف ي) أتوني

1 0


(1428571430001428571428571428571428571430 x 7). Also, fittingly, seeing that the basmala

(which consists of nineteen letters) is actually cited in the above verses, this number is a

multiple of nineteen as well (526315790000526315789473684210526315790 x 19).

Having mentioned the basmala, several interesting points are found with respect to verse

30, where it is cited. That is, first finding the letters ṭā’ (ط) and sīn (س) in the words of this

verse reveals following arrangement:

(إ ف ىػػػ) إنو ( و) و (ؿ ي ـ ف س) سميمف ( ـ ف) مف (إ ف ىػػػ) إنو

0 0 1 0 0

(ا ؿ ر ح ي ـ) الرحيـ (ا ؿ ر ح ـ ف) الرحمف (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو ( ـ سب ) بسـ

0 0 0 1

100100 is a multiple of seven (14300 x 7). Yet even finding the normal letter count creates

an interesting result:

(إ ف ىػػػ) إنو ( و) و (س ؿ ي ـ ف) ف سميم ( ـ ف) مف (إ ف ىػػػ) إنو

3 1 5 2 3

(ا ؿ ر ح ي ـ) الرحيـ (ا ؿ ر ح ـ ف) الرحمف (ىػػػ ا ؿ ؿ) المو ( ب س ـ) بسـ

6 6 4 3

664331523 is actually a multiple of nineteen, in reference again, it seems, to the basmala’s

nineteen letters (34964817 x 19). The digit sum of the quotient, however, is a multiple of

seven (3 + 4 + 9 + 6 + 4 + 8 + 1 + 7 = 42 = 6 x 7).

Not only that, but beautifully, reversing the number 664331523 produces a multiple of

seven (325133466 = 46447638 x 7). Exquisitely, the digit sum of this quotient, like the above

digit sum, is not only a multiple of seven, but is also exactly 42 (4 + 6 + 4 + 4 + 7 + 6 + 3 + 8 = 42

= 6 x 7)!

120

Al-Kaḥeel does in fact acknowledge that the basmala uniquely occurs twice in this chapter,

and argues that there may be something within the chapter which gives reference to this.

He identifies this connection in the first and last verse, which in one way or another

represent the entire chapter. That is, he simply arranges the first and last verse numbers

of Al-Naml into a single number, and observes the result:

Last verse of Al-Naml First verse of Al-Naml

93 1

Reiterating the fact that the basmala is repeated twice in this chapter, he explains that the

number 931 is not only a multiple of seven twice (19 x 7 x 7), but that the final quotient is

nineteen, the exact number of letters which constitute the basmala!

The way in which both nineteen and 114 encompassed this chapter was unmistakeable, and

the prominence of these numbers reminded me of the critical importance of the basmala,

which will now be considered more closely.

THE BASMALA’S MARVELLOUS ARRANGEMENT ACROSS THE QUR‖AN

An interesting fact exists with respect to the 114 citations of the basmala, which Al-Kaḥeel

notices, and which will lead to another large numeric arrangement. The basmala lies at the

forefront of every chapter in the Qur‖an apart from the ninth. In addition, it is found in the

30th verse of Al-Naml, the chapter which was just considered. In other words, the basmala is

cited once in every chapter55, with the exception of chapter nine, where it is never cited,

and chapter 27, where it is cited twice.

Having said this, an arrangement can be constructed representing the total number of

basmalas in every Qur‖anic chapter. This 114-digit number would comprise entirely of 1‖s,

except for the ninth digit, which is assigned the number zero, and the 27th, which receives

the number two:

11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

1111111211111111111111111011111111

This number is a multiple of seven

(1587301587301587301587301587301587301587301587301587301587301587301587301587301

5873015887301587301587301573015873 x 7).

Not only that, but astonishingly, reversing this number creates another multiple of seven:

11111111011111111111111111211111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

1111111111111111111111111111111111 =

55 As an unnumbered verse situated before the first verse, apart from Al-Fātiḥa, where it is, in fact, the first

verse.

121

15873015730158730158730158873015873015873015873015873015873015873015873015873015

873015873015873015873015873015873 x 7

Beautifully, had the chapter containing no basmalas been the eighth or tenth chapter rather

than the ninth, the above arrangement would have failed to produce a multiple of seven.

Equally, no multiple of seven would have arisen had the chapter containing two basmalas

been the 26th or 28th chapter instead of the 27th!

ṬĀ SĪN MĪM: A FEW BREATHTAKING EXAMPLES

The special phrase ṭsm (طسم) is situated as the opening verse of chapters 26 and 28, namely

Al-Shu‘arā’ (The Poets) and Al-Qaṣaṣ (Stories). Some examples of the brilliant distribution of

its three letters across a few verses from each chapter will be highlighted.

ṬSM in Al-Shu‘arā’

One of the many stories in this chapter is that of the Prophet Shu―ayb (pbuh), who tells his

people to observe the following:

Give full measure: do not sell others short. (181) Weigh with correct scales: (182) do not

deprive people of what is theirs. Do not spread corruption on earth. (183) Be mindful of God

who created you and former generations‖ (184) [Al-Shu―arā‖, 26:181-184]

The letters ṭā’ (ط) , sīn (س) and mīm (م) are located in each word of these verses as follows:

(ؿ ا) ل ( و) و (ا ؿ ؾ ي ؿ) الكيؿ (أ و ؼ و ا) أوفوا

0 0 0 0

(و) و (ر ي ف سخ ـا ؿ ) المخسريف (ف ـ) مف (ت ؾ و ف و ا) تكونوا

0 2 1 0

(ـت ؽ ي ـ س ا ؿ ) المستقيـ (سا س طب ا ؿ ؽ ) بالقسطاس (ز ف و ا) زنوا

3 3 0

122

(سا ؿ ف ا ) الناس (و ا ست ب خ ) تبخسوا (ؿ ا) ل ( و) و

1 1 0 0

(ت ع ث و ا) تعثوا (ؿ ا) ل ( و) و (ـأ ش ي ا ىػػػ ) أشياءىـ

0 0 0 1

(و) و (د ي ف سؼ ـ) مفسديف (ا ؿ أ ر ض) الرض (ؼ ي)ى ف

0 2 0 0

( و) و (ـخ ؿ ؽ ؾ ) خمقكـ (ا ؿ ذ ي)ى الذ (ا ت ؽ و ا) اتقوا

0 1 0 0

ليف (ا ؿ ج ب ؿ ىػػػ) الجبمة (ا ؿ أ و ؿ ي ف) الو

0 0


The next example speaks of the revelation of the Qur‖an, emphasising the Arabic tongue:

Your Lord alone is the Almighty, the Merciful. (191) Truly, this Qur‖an has been sent down

by the Lord of the Worlds: (192) the Trustworthy Spirit brought it down (193) to your heart

[Prophet], so that you could bring warning (194) in a clear Arabic tongue. (195) [Al-Shu―arā‖,

26:191-195]

The letters of ṭsm (there are seven such letters in these verses) are organised as follows:

(ؿ ىػػػ و) ليو (ر ب ؾ) ربؾ (إ ف) إف ( و) و

0 0 0 0

(إ ف ىػػػ) إنو ( و) و (ـا ؿ ح ي ) الرحيـ (ا ؿ ع ز ي ز) العزيز

0 0 1 0

123

(ف ز ؿ) نزؿ ( ي فـ ا ؿ ع ؿ ) العمميف (ر ب) رب (ؿ ت ف ز ي ؿ) لتنزيؿ

0 1 0 0

وح (ب ىػػػ) بو (ع ؿ ي) عمى (ي ف ـا ؿ أ ) الميف (ا ؿ ر و ح) الر

0 1 0 0

(ف ذ ر ي ف ـا ؿ ) المنذريف (ف ـ) مف (ؿ ت ؾ و ف) لتكوف (ؽ ؿ ب ؾ) قمبؾ

1 1 0 0

(ب ي ف ـ) مبيف (ع ر ب ي) ى عرب (ا ف سب ؿ ) بمساف

1 0 1


Peculiarly, the statement found in verse 191 above – one of glorification and praise for God

Almighty – is repeated no less than eight times in Al-Shu‘arā’. In other words, there are

eight verses across this chapter which contain, word for word, this precise statement.

Curious as to the wisdom behind this, I listed these eight verse numbers:

9, 68, 104, 122, 140, 159, 175, 191

Combining these verse numbers into a single arrangement creates:

Verse Verse Verse Verse Verse Verse Verse Verse

191 175 159 140 122 104 68 9

The number 191175159140122104689 is, beautifully, not only a multiple of seven

(27310737020017443527 x 7), but its digit sum is precisely 77 (1 + 9 + 1 + 1 + 7 + 5 + 1 + 5 + 9 + 1

+ 4 + 0 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 0 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 9 = 77 = 11 x 7). It is also not a multiple of any other

single-digit number (apart from one).

The concluding four verses present the following anecdote about poets:

124

Only those who are lost in error follow the poets. (224) Do you not see how they rove

aimlessly in every valley; (225) how they say what they do not do? (226) Not so those

[poets] who believe, do good deeds, remember God often, and defend themselves after they

have been wronged. The evildoers will find out what they will return to. (227) [Al-Shu―arā‖,

26:224-227]

It must be noted that earlier, the 69th verse of Yā Sīn also spoke of poetry, suggesting that

the Qur‖an, in its miraculous nature, is far greater than to even be compared to the work of

poets. Beautifully, the result of locating the special letters of ys in that verse was 114, the

total number of Qur‖anic chapters. That being said, locating the special letters of ṭsm in

these final verses reveals an outstanding result:

(ا ؿ غ ا و ف) الغاوف (ـي ت ب ع ىػػػ ) يتبعيـ (ا ؿ ش ع ر ا) الشعراء( و) و

0 1 0 0

(ؾ ؿ) كؿ (ؼ ي)ى ف (ـأ ف ىػػػ ) أنيـ (ت ر) تر (ـأ ؿ ) ألـ

0 0 1 0 1

(ـأ ف ىػػػ ) أنيـ ( و) و (و ف ـي ىػػػ ي ) يييموف (و ا د) واد

1 0 1 0

(ي ؼ ع ؿ و ف) يفعموف (ؿ ا) ل (ا ـ) ما (ي ؽ و ؿ و ف) يقولوف

0 0 1 0

(و) و (ف و ا ـا ) ءامنوا (ا ؿ ذ ي ف) الذيف (إ ؿ ا) إل

0 1 0 0

محت (ؿ و ا ـع ) عمموا (ذ ؾ ر و ا) ذكروا( و) و (ا ؿ ص ؿ ح ت) الص

0 0 0 1

(ا ف ت ص ر و ا) انتصروا( و) و (ؾ ث ي ر ا ) كثيرا (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو

0 0 0 0

(و) و (و ا ـظ ؿ ) ظمموا (ا ـ) ما (ب ع د) بعد (ف ـ) مف

0 1 1 0 1

125

(و ا ـظ ؿ ) ظمموا (ا ؿ ذ ي ف) الذيف ( ـي ع ؿ س) سيعمـ

1 0 2

(ي ف ؽ ؿ ب و ف) ينقمبوف (ف ؽ ؿ ب ـ) منقمب (أ ي) أي

0 1 0

Magnificently, the 39-digit number 101020110100000001010000101010001010100 is indeed a

multiple of 114 (886141316666666675526316675526324650 x 114)!

ṬSM in Al- Qaṣaṣ

After narrating part of the story of Moses (pbuh) with a considerable amount of detail (a

story recounted on numerous occasions throughout the Qur‖an, including in Al-Shu‘arā’, the

chapter just observed), God addresses His messenger, telling him – in a kind of testament to

his prophethood – that he, Muḥammad, was never present during the time of Moses

(similar to the earlier example regarding the story of Mary in Al-‘Imrān):

You [Muḥammad] were not present on the western side of the mountain when We gave Our

command to Moses: you were not there (44) [Al-Qaṣaṣ, 28:44]

The special letters of ṭsm are arranged in the following manner in the words of this verse:

(ب ج ا ف ب) بجانب (ؾ ف ت) كنت (ا ـ) ما( و) و

0 0 1 0

(إ ؿ ي) إلى (ؽ ض ي ف ا) قضينا (إ ذ) إذ (ا ؿ غ ر ب ي) ى الغرب

0 0 0 0

(ا ـ) ما( و) و (ر ـا ؿ أ ) المر (ي سو ـ) موسى

1 0 1 2

(ا ؿ ش ىػػػ د ي ف) الشيديف (ف ـ) مف (ؾ ف ت) كنت

0 1 0

10101200000010 is a multiple of seven (1443028571430 x 7). Beautifully, the digit sum of the

quotient is also a multiple of seven (1 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 8 + 5 + 7 + 1 + 4 + 3 + 0 = 42 = 6 x 7).

126

The 46th verse is yet another confirmation of the Prophet‖s absence from the events

surrounding Moses:

Nor were you present on the side of Mount Sinai when We called out to Moses. But you too

have been sent as an act of grace from your Lord, to give warning to a people to whom no

warner has come before, so that they may take heed (46) [Al-Qaṣaṣ, 28:46]

The following arrangement arises from finding the letters of ṭsm in the words of this verse:

(ب ج ا ف ب) بجانب (ؾ ف ت) كنت (ا ـ) ما( و) و

0 0 1 0

(و) و (ف ا د ي ف ا) نادينا (إ ذ) إذ (و ر طا ؿ ) الطور

0 0 0 1

(ر ب ؾ) ربؾ (ف ـ) مف (ىػػػ ـر ح ) رحمة (ؿ ؾ ف) لكف

0 1 1 0

(ـأ ت ي ىػػػ ) أتػىيـ (ا ـ) ما (ا ـؽ و ) قوما (ؿ ت ف ذ ر) لتنذر

1 1 1 0

(ؽ ب ؿ ؾ) ؾ قبم (ف ـ) مف (ف ذ ي ر) نذير (ف ـ) مف

0 1 0 1

(ي ت ذ ؾ ر و ف) يتذكروف (ـؿ ع ؿ ىػػػ ) لعميـ

0 1

101011110011000010010 is a multiple of seven (14430158573000001430 x 7). Amazingly, just

like the previous result, the digit sum of the quotient is also a multiple of seven, and is in

fact 49 (1 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 0 + 1 + 5 + 8 + 5 + 7 + 3 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 1 + 4 + 3 + 0 = 49 = 7 x 7).

One of the wonderful aspects of the above two verses is that while both contain the special

letter mīm (م), the 44th verse contains one sīn (س) letter and no ṭāʾ (ط) letters. On the

127

contrary, the 46th verse contains one ṭāʾ (ط) letter and no sīn (س) letters. In other words,

had this chapter not opened with precisely the three letters ṭsm, the perfect outcomes

observed above would have simply ceased to exist!

The following verses emphasise the importance of the night and day:

Your Lord knows what their hearts conceal and what they reveal. (69) He is God; there is no

god but Him; all praise belongs to Him in this world and the next; His is the judgment; and

to Him you shall be returned. (70) Say [Prophet], ―Just think, if God were to cast perpetual

night over you until the Day of Resurrection, what god other than He would bring you

light? Do you not listen?‖ (71) Say, ―Just think, if God were to cast perpetual day over you

until the Day of Resurrection, what god other than He could give you night in which to

rest? Do you not see? (72) In His mercy He has given you night and day, so that you may

rest and seek His bounty and be grateful.‖ (73) [Al-Qaṣaṣ, 28:69-73]

The letters ṭāʾ (ط) , sīn (س) and mīm (م), are wonderfully arranged within these verses:

(ت ؾ ف) تكف (ا ـ) ما (ـي ع ؿ ) يعمـ (ر ب ؾ) ربؾ ( و) و

0 1 1 0 0

(ي ع ؿ ف و ف) يعمنوف (ا ـ) ما( و) و (ـص د و ر ىػػػ ) صدورىـ

0 1 0 1

(إ ؿ ىػػػ) إلو (ؿ ا) ل (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو (ىػػػ و) ىو ( و) و

0 0 0 0 0

128

(ؼ ي) ىف (د ـا ؿ ح ) الحمد (ؿ ىػػػ) لو (ىػػػ و) ىو (إ ؿ ا) إل

0 1 0 0 0

(و) و (ا ؿ أ خ ر ىػػػ) خرة ال ( و) و (ا ؿ أ و ؿ ي) الولى

0 0 0 0

(إ ؿ ي ىػػػ) إليو ( و) و (ـا ؿ ح ؾ ) الحكـ (ؿ ىػػػ) لو

0 0 1 0

(إ ف) إف (ـأ ر ي ت ) أرءيتـ (ؽ ؿ) قؿ (ت ر ج ع و ف) ترجعوف

0 1 0 0

(ا ؿ ي ؿ) اليؿ (ـع ؿ ي ؾ ) عميكـ (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػ) المو (ع ؿج ) جعؿ

0 1 0 0

(ىػػػ ـا ؿ ؽ ي ) القيمة (ـي و ) يوـ (إ ؿ ي) إلى (د ا ـر س) سرمدا

1 1 0 2

(ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو (غ ي ر) غير (إ ؿ ىػػػ) إلو (ف ـ) مف

0 0 0 1

(أ ؼ ؿ ا) أفال (ب ض ي ا) بضياء (ـي أ ت ي ؾ ) يأتيكـ

0 0 1

(إ ف) إف (ـي ت أ ر) أرءيتـ (ؽ ؿ) قؿ (ع و فس ـ ت ) تسمعوف

0 1 0 2

(ا ؿ ف ىػػػ ا ر) لنيار ا (ـع ؿ ي ؾ ) عميكـ (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو (ج ع ؿ) جعؿ

0 1 0 0

(ىػػػ ـا ؿ ؽ ي ) القيمة (ـي و ) يوـ (إ ؿ ي) إلى (د ا ـر س) سرمدا

1 1 0 2

129

(ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو (غ ي ر) غير (إ ؿ ىػػػ) إلو (ف ـ) مف

0 0 0 1

(ؾ ف و ف ست ) تسكنوف (ب ؿ ي ؿ) بميؿ ( ـي أ ت ي ؾ )يأتيكـ

1 0 1

(و) و ( ت ب ص ر و ف)تبصروف (أ ؼ ؿ ا) أفال (ؼ ي ىػػػ) فيو

0 0 0 0

(ـؿ ؾ ) لكـ (ج ع ؿ) جعؿ (ت ىػػػ ـر ح ) رحمتو (ف ـ) مف

1 0 1 1

(ؾ ف و ا سؿ ت ) لتسكنوا (ا ؿ ف ىػػػ ا ر) النيار ( و) و (ا ؿ ي ؿ) اليؿ

1 0 0 0

(ف ـ) مف (ؿ ت ب ت غ و ا) لتبتغوا( و) و (ؼ ي ىػػػ) فيو

1 0 0 0

(ت ش ؾ ر و ف) تشكروف (ـؿ ع ؿ ؾ ) لعمكـ ( و) و (ؼ ض ؿ ىػػػ) فضمو

0 1 0 0

The number

10010001000101100001010001110201000102001000111020100010000100000010000000001010

1100 is an incredible 84 digits long (12 x 7). It is also a multiple of seven

(1430000142871585714430000158600142871714428587288585715714300000001428571428715

7300 x 7)!

Finally, the total number of each of the ṭsm letters in this entire chapter is as follows

(readers are again assured of the accuracy of these totals, and may verify for themselves):

- Ṭā’ (ط) is repeated 19 times.

- Sīn (س) is repeated 101 times.56


56 It is worth noting that the total number of ṭā’ (ط) and sīn (س) letters only (i.e. excluding mīm) in this chapter

is 120, and the total number of ṭā’ (ط) and sīn (س) letters in chapter 27, Surat Al-Naml (which was looked at

earlier, and which opens with ṭā sīn), is also precisely 120!

130

Arranging these totals produces:

mīm (م) sīn (س) ṭā’ (ط)

457 101 19

45710119 is a multiple of seven (6530017 x 7). It is also, in fact, a multiple of thirteen, which

– as noted in the beginning – is another important number in the Qur‖an (3516163 x 13).

And to put, so to speak, the cherry on top, the most unbelievable – and most massive –

arrangement in this entire study manifests itself from the following table, which gives the

number of ṭāʾ (ط) , sīn (س) and mīm (م) letters in each verse. Readers, once again, are

guaranteed the accuracy of every figure, and may confirm, if necessary, on their own:

Ṭā’, Sīn and Mīm in Surat Al-Qaṣaṣ

Verse Mīm Sīn Ṭā‖

1 1 1 1

2 1 0 0

3 4 1 0

4 6 4 1

5 4 1 0

6 7 0 0

7 5 2 0

8 3 0 2

9 2 1 0

10 5 1 1

11 1 0 0

12 6 0 0

13 4 0 0

14 4 2 0

15 11 2 1

16 2 1 0

17 4 0 0

18 4 4 0

19 8 3 1

20 6 2 0

21 4 0 0

22 2 3 0

23 10 3 1

131

24 4 1 0

25 7 2 0

26 3 2 0

27 6 1 0

28 2 0 0

29 8 4 2

30 7 1 1

31 6 1 0

32 8 3 0

33 2 1 0

34 2 2 0

35 5 2 1

36 7 3 0

37 6 1 0

38 8 1 2

39 1 1 0

40 3 0 0

41 4 0 0

42 6 0 0

43 5 2 0

44 5 1 0

45 6 1 1

46 9 0 1

47 8 2 0

48 10 3 0

49 4 0 0

50 10 1 0

51 2 0 0

52 4 0 0

53 6 1 0

54 6 2 0

55 7 2 0

56 4 0 0

57 11 0 1

58 8 2 1

59 7 1 0

60 5 0 0

132

61 9 1 0

62 4 0 0

63 4 0 0

64 5 1 0

65 5 1 0

66 4 1 0

67 6 1 0

68 4 1 0

69 4 0 0

70 2 0 0

71 8 2 0

72 7 2 0

73 5 1 0

74 4 0 0

75 6 0 0

76 8 1 0

77 4 5 0

78 12 1 0

79 4 0 0

80 5 0 0

81 6 1 0

82 6 3 1

83 1 1 0

84 6 3 0

85 5 0 0

86 3 0 0

87 2 0 0

88 2 0 0

Totals 457 101 19

The multiple of seven which arises from the above illustration is one which personally

leaves me speechless. I run out of superlatives to describe it, not merely because of its

sheer size, but because of its absolutely devastating sensitivity. Its miraculous wonders are

almost ridiculous to fathom, and I fail to see just how coincidence, chance or luck could have

played any part in bringing about this particular outcome.

That said, the table above tells us that there are 88 verses in Al-Qaṣaṣ, and three totals per

verse, one for ṭāʾ (ط) , one for sīn (س) and one for mīm (م). Creating a single arrangement

133

which takes into account each individual total, therefore, would produce a number in

excess of 200 digits. It would look like this:

Verse 88 Verse 87 <<<< Verse 2 Verse 1

m s ṭ m s ṭ <<<< m s ṭ m s ṭ

2 0 0 2 0 0 <<<< 1 0 0 1 1 1

The number which culminates is an astounding 270 digits long:

20020030050063011063161050040012104508106004005107208202004004106104105105104004

00910500710821110140072062061040020010104001030820901611510520600400300110812610

73052122021083061071184220061032072041010312304006208314404002101121420400600100

511210302520700410641410100111.

It is, believe it or not, a flawless multiple of seven:

28600042928661444375944357200017292154437148578724583145720005865863007293005720

01300715301173014485817231515771457157291430044029859445015029429143285872589443

90074460030118658673120314372902960058586160434294583306291431573030600572285857

87315757502957201520201442873 x 7 !!

Interestingly, this 270-digit number is not a multiple of any of the other single-digit

numerals. In other words, apart from zero and one, of course, it is not a multiple of two,

three, four, five, six, eight or nine!

One of the breathtaking features of this result is that it comes from a chapter which gives a

thorough account, in more than 40 of its verses, of a story the Prophet had no knowledge of

whatsoever (as the chapter itself reminds readers!), namely that of Moses. It speaks of his

mother and sister, as well as his brother Aaron (pbuh) and the characters surrounding

Pharaoh. This chapter outlines, in other words, the story of Moses from his very childhood

up to his confrontations with the Pharaoh of Egypt!

Beautifully, the above arrangement took into consideration every special letter from every

verse; that is, three totals from each verse. This means that no less than 264 totals (88 x 3)

were part of this huge number. If only one of these totals was only slightly different (or even

if the order of the verses was not precisely as ordained in the Qur‖an), this would be like

removing (or just flicking) a single domino piece from the bottom of a carefully designed

domino structure: it would simply shatter the result!

ṬĀ HĀ: THE IMMACULATE CONSISTENCY OF THE NUMBER SEVEN

The opening six verses of chapter 20, Surat Ṭā Hā, clarify why the Holy Qur‖an was revealed:

134

Ṭā Hā (1) It was not to distress you [Prophet] that We sent down the Qur‖an to you, (2) but

as a reminder for those who hold God in awe, (3) a revelation from the One who created the

earth and the high heaven, (4) the Lord of Mercy, established on the throne. (5) Everything

in the heavens and on earth, everything between them, everything beneath the soil,

belongs to Him. (6) [Ṭā Hā, 20:1-6]

Searching for the special letters ṭā’ (ط) and hā’ (هـــ) in this passage reveals this arrangement:

(ع ؿ ي ؾ) عميؾ (ف اأ ف ز ؿ ) أنزلنا (ـ ا) ما (ط ىػػػ) طو

0 0 0 2

(ىػػػت ذ ؾ ر ) تذكرة (اإ ؿ ) إل (ؿ ت ش ؽ ي) لتشقى (ا ؿ ؽ ر ا ف) القرءاف

1 0 0 0

(ـ ـ ف) ممف (ي ؿ ا ت ف ز) تنزيال (ي خ ش ي) يخشى (ؿ ـ ف) لمف

0 0 0 0

(ا ؿ س ـ و ت) السموت ( و) و (ا ؿ أ ر ض) الرض ( خ ؿ ؽ) خمؽ

0 0 0 0

(ا ؿ ع ر ش) العرش (ؿ يع ) عمى (ا ؿ ر ح ـ ف) الرحمف (ا ؿ ع ؿ ي) العمى

0 0 0 0

(ؼ ي)ى ف (ـ ا) ما (ىػػػؿ ) لو (ا س ت و ي) استوى

0 0 1 0

(ؼ ي)ى ف (ـ ا) ما( و) و (ا ؿ س ـ و ت) السموت

0 0 0 0

135

(ـ ا ىػػػب ي ف ) بينيما (ـ ا) ما( و) و (ا ؿ أ ر ض) الرض

1 0 0 0

(ا ؿ ث ر ي) الثرى (ت ح ت) تحت (ـ ا) ما( و) و

0 0 0 0

The number 10000000001000000000000010000002 is a multiple of seven twice

(204081632673469387755102244898 x 7 x 7). Furthermore, there are five ṭā hā letters in the

above verses, and the total number of ṭā hā letters in each verse forms this arrangement:

Verse 6 Verse 5 Verse 4 Verse 3 Verse 2 Verse 1

Total ṭā hā Total ṭā hā Total ṭā hā Total ṭā hā Total ṭā hā Total ṭā hā

2 0 0 1 0 2


The following verses tell part of what God Almighty said to Moses when the latter stood on

Mount Sinai:

I am your Lord. Take off your shoes: you are in the sacred valley of Ṭuwa. (12) I have

chosen you, so listen to what is being revealed (13) I am God; there is no god but Me. So

worship Me and keep up the prayer so that you remember Me. (14) The Hour is coming––

though I choose to keep it hidden––for each soul to be rewarded for its labour. (15) Do not

let anyone who does not believe in it and follows his own desires distract you from it, and

so bring you to ruin.‖ (16) [Ṭā Hā, 20:12-16]

The two special letters of ṭh are distributed in the following manner within this passage:

(ؼ ا خ ؿ ع) فاخمع (ر ب ؾ) ربؾ (أ ف ا) أنا (إ ف ي) إنى

0 0 0 0

136

(ا ؿ ـ ؽ د س) المقدس (ب ا ؿ و ا د) بالواد (إ ف ؾ) إنؾ (ف ع ؿ ي ؾ) نعميؾ

0 0 0 0

(ا خ ت ر ت ؾ) اخترتؾ (أ ف ا) أنا( و) و (و ي ط) طوى

0 0 0 1

(إ ف ف ي) إننى (ي و ح ي) يوحى (ؿ ـ ا) لما( ؼ ا س ت ـ ع) فاستمع

0 0 0 0

(إ ؿ ا) إل (ىػػػإ ؿ ) إلو (ؿ ا) ل (ىػػػا ؿ ؿ ) المو (أ ف ا) أنا

0 1 0 1 0

(أ ؽ ـ) أقـ ( و) و (ؼ ا ع ب د ف ي) فاعبدنى (أ ف ا) أنا

0 0 0 0

موة (ىػػػا ؿ س ا ع ) الساعة (إ ف) إف (ؿ ذ ؾ ر ي) لذكرى (ىػػػا ؿ ص ؿ و ) الص

1 0 0 1

(ؿ ت ج ز ي) لتجزى (ا ىػػػأ خ ؼ ي ) أخفييا (أ ؾ ا د) أكاد (ىػػػا ت ي ) ءاتية

0 1 0 1

(ت س ع ي) تسعى (ب ـ ا) بما (ف ؼ س) نفس (ؾ ؿ) كؿ

0 0 0 0

(ـ ف) مف (ا ىػػػع ف ) عنيا (ي ص د ف ؾ) يصدنؾ (ؼ ؿ ا) فال

0 1 0 0

(و) و (ا ىػػػب ) بيا (ي و ـ ف) يؤمف (ؿ ا) ل

0 1 0 0

(ؼ ت ر د ي) فتردى (ىػػػو ي ىػػػ) ىوىو (ا ت ب ع) اتبع

0 2 0

137


(2858571571428572872858571430014285714300000000 x 7)!

Profoundly, ṭā’ (ط) and hā’ (هـــ) are repeated a specific number of times in each of the above

verses, which gives rise to another beautiful arrangement:

Verse 16 Verse 15 Verse 14 Verse 13 Verse 12

ط هـــ ط هـــ ط هـــ ط هـــ ط هـــ hā ṭā hā ṭā hā ṭā hā ṭā hā ṭā

4 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 1

The number 4030300001 is again a multiple of seven (575757143 x 7). Beautifully, even

reversing this number produces a multiple of seven (1000030304 = 142861472 x 7)!

As do the inital verses of this chapter, verses 113 and 114 further speak of the Qur‖an:

We have sent the Qur‖an down in the Arabic tongue and given all kinds of warnings in it, so

that they may beware or take heed– (113) exalted be God, the one who is truly in control.

[Prophet], do not rush to recite before the revelation is fully complete57 but say, ―Lord,

increase me in knowledge!‖ (114) [Ṭā Hā, 20:113-114]

Again, locating ṭā’ (ط) and hā’ (هـــ) in the words of these verses creates this arrangement:

57 Abdel Ḥaleem notes that ―Muḥammad, when repeating to Gabriel each revelation, after the angel delivered

it, sometimes in his eagerness started repeating even before Gabriel had finished revealing‖ (Abdel Ḥaleem,

The Qur’an, p. 201). The following, moreover, is a personal note: The above 114th verse (114, of course, is the

number of chapters in the Qur‖an) not only mentions the Qur‖an; it in fact calls upon the Prophet not to

hasten with the Qur‖an ―before the revelation is fully complete‖. Could one of the meanings of this statement be:

before all 114 chapters are revealed? If so (and God knows best), then this verse‖s number is quite an exquisite

reference to the Qur‖an‖s 114 chapters. Notably, Ṭā Hā is one of the earlier chapters to be revealed to the

Prophet (i.e. in Mecca), meaning that at the time of its revelation, there were many more chapters yet to be

revealed. Therefore, the Prophet would probably not have known that the Qur‖an would eventually come to

comprise of precisely 114 chapters, and yet this verse is most fittingly placed as the 114th of Ṭā Hā!

138

(ؽ ر ا ف ا ) قرءانا (ىػػػأ ف ز ؿ ف ) أنزلنو (ؾ ذ ؿ ؾ) كذلؾ ( و) و

0 1 0 0

فنا( و) و (ع ر ب ي ا ) عربيا (ػىػػؼ ي ) فيو (ص ر ؼ ف ا) صر

1 0 0 0

(و ت ي ت ؽ) يتقوف (ـ ىػػػؿ ع ؿ ) لعميـ (ا ؿ و ع ي د) الوعيد ( ـ ف) مف

0 1 0 0

(ا ذ ؾ ر) ذكرا (ـ ىػػػؿ ) ليـ (ي ح د ث) يحدث (أ و) أو

0 1 0 0

(ح ؽ ا ؿ) الحؽ (ا ؿ ـ ؿ ؾ) الممؾ (ىػػػا ؿ ؿ ) المو (ؼ ت ع ؿ ي) فتعمى

0 0 1 0

(ب ا ؿ ؽ ر ا ف) بالقرءاف (ت ع ج ؿ) تعجؿ (ؿ ا) ل ( و) و

0 0 0 0

(ي ؽ ض ي) يقضى (أ ف) أف (ؽ ب ؿ) قبؿ (ـ ف) مف

0 0 0 0

(ؽ ؿ) قؿ( و) و (ىػػػو ح ي ) وحيو (إ ؿ ي ؾ) إليؾ

0 0 1 0

(ع ؿ ـ ا ) عمما (ز د ف ي) زدني (ر ب) رب

0 0 0


(14285714285728585715715714300 x 7).

Reference was made earlier to the importance of the number eleven, especially when it

comes to verses which brilliantly allude to God‖s Oneness and uniqueness. One such verse

is the 110th of this chapter (interestingly, this verse‖s number is even a multiple of eleven!):

139

He knows what is before and behind them, though they do not comprehend Him (110) [Ṭā

Hā, 20:110]

Locating the special letters ṭā’ (ط) and hā’ (هـــ) in this verse produces the arrangement

shown below:

ـ ( ـ ىػػػأ ي د ي )ـ أيديي ( ب ي ف)بيف ( ـ ا)ما ( ي ع ؿ ـ)يعم

1 0 0 0

ـ ( ـ ا)ما ( و)و (ؿ ا) ل ( و)و ( ـ ىػػػخ ؿ ؼ )خمفي

0 0 1 0 0

(ع ؿ ـ ا)عمما ( ىػػػب )بو ( و فط ي ح ي)يحيطوف

0 1 1

The number 11001001000 is a multiple of eleven (1000091000 x 11). Fittingly, even the digit

sum of the quotient is eleven (1 + 9 + 1 = 11).

However, even more astoundingly, and as if to say that this infinite knowledge is in the

hands of none other than God, finding the letters of Allah, namely alif (أ), lām (ل) and hāʾ

:in this magnificent verse creates another breathtaking result ,(هـــ)

ـ ـ ( ب ي ف)بيف ( اـ )ما ( ـ ؿع ي )يعم ( ـ ىػػػي د ي أ)أيديي

2 0 1 1

ـ ( اـ ) ما( و)و (ؿ ا)ل ( و)و ( ـ ىػػػؼ ؿخ )خمفي

2 0 2 1 0

(ا ـ ؿع )عمما ( ىػػػب )بو ( و ف ي ح ي ط)يحيطوف

2 1 0

The number 210202102011 is a multiple of eleven as well (19109282001 x 11), but even more

so, the digit sum of the quotient is, like that of the previous arrangement, also a multiple of

eleven (1 + 9 + 1 + 9 + 2 + 8 + 2 + 1 = 33 = 3 x 11)!

140

Furthermore, having already examined the letters of several special phrases across their

entire respective chapters (i.e. ṣād, ḥm ‘sq and ṭā sīn), I performed the same exercise with ṭā

hā from this chapter. After finding the number of ṭā’ (ط) and hā’ (هـــ) letters in each of its

135 verses, I constructed the following table:

Ṭā’ and Hā’ in Surat Ṭā Hā

Verse Hā’ Ṭa’ Total Ṭa’ and Hā’ Letters

1 1 1 2

2 0 0 0

3 1 0 1

4 0 0 0

5 0 0 0

6 2 0 2

7 2 0 2

8 4 0 4

9 1 0 1

10 4 0 4

11 1 0 1

12 0 1 1

13 0 0 0

14 3 0 3

15 3 0 3

16 4 0 4

17 0 0 0

18 5 0 5

19 1 0 1

20 3 0 3

21 3 0 3

22 1 0 1

23 0 0 0

24 2 1 3

25 0 0 0

26 0 0 0

27 1 0 1

28 1 0 1

29 1 0 1

30 1 0 1

141

31 1 0 1

32 1 0 1

33 0 0 0

34 0 0 0

35 0 0 0

36 0 0 0

37 1 0 1

38 0 0 0

39 6 0 6

40 4 0 4

41 0 1 1

42 1 0 1

43 2 1 3

44 2 0 2

45 0 2 2

46 0 0 0

47 4 0 4

48 0 0 0

49 0 0 0

50 2 1 3

51 0 0 0

52 1 0 1

53 3 0 3

54 1 0 1

55 4 0 4

56 2 0 2

57 0 0 0

58 2 0 2

59 1 0 1

60 1 0 1

61 2 0 2

62 2 0 2

63 3 1 4

64 0 0 0

65 0 0 0

66 5 0 5

67 2 0 2

142

68 0 0 0

69 0 0 0

70 2 0 2

71 2 1 3

72 3 1 4

73 3 1 4

74 5 0 5

75 2 0 2

76 3 0 3

77 1 1 2

78 4 0 4

79 2 0 2

80 0 1 1

81 3 2 5

82 1 0 1

83 0 0 0

84 1 0 1

85 1 0 1

86 2 1 3

87 2 0 2

88 5 0 5

89 2 0 2

90 3 1 4

91 1 0 1

92 2 0 2

93 0 0 0

94 0 0 0

95 0 1 1

96 3 0 3

97 7 0 7

98 4 0 4

99 0 0 0

100 3 0 3

101 3 0 3

102 0 0 0

103 1 0 1

104 2 1 3

143

105 1 0 1

106 1 0 1

107 1 0 1

108 2 0 2

109 3 0 3

110 3 1 4

111 1 0 1

112 2 0 2

113 4 0 4

114 2 0 2

115 2 0 2

116 1 0 1

117 2 0 2

118 1 0 1

119 1 0 1

120 3 1 4

121 6 1 7

122 4 0 4

123 4 1 5

124 4 0 4

125 0 0 0

126 1 0 1

127 2 0 2

128 6 0 6

129 1 0 1

130 2 2 4

131 7 0 7

132 4 1 5

133 4 0 4

134 3 0 3

135 1 1 2

Totals 250 28 278

From this table, one can notice that the first seven verses contain precisely seven ṭā hā

letters, a possible suggestion that this number is again of significance in this chapter.

Firstly, arranging the total number of ṭā hā letters from each verse produces the following

135-digit number:

144

23457416210454741121224214321113103304731002142523110151242325443200250042211202

4131030040223114601000011111100301331504330114142200102

Despite its sheer size, this number is a perfect multiple of seven

(3351059458636391588746316331587586186390143163217587164463189349028607148887314

6304432862889016371571430158728614475929190016306028586 x 7).

Interestingly, the total number of ṭā’ letters only in this chapter is 28 (4 x 7). Amazingly,

the arrangement of these 28 letters across this chapter creates the following number,

which consists of 135 digits as well:

10010200000010110000000001000001000000001000010001000021001000111000000010000000

0000010000201010000000000000000100000000000100000000001

Again, the outcome is a multiple of seven:

(1430028571430015714285714428571571428571571430000142860143000015857142858571428

5714287142885858571428571428571442857142857157142857143 x 7).

Furthermore, incredibly, the letter hā’ is repeated no less than 250 times (2 + 5 + 0 = 7) in

this chapter. The precise arrangement of these 250 repetitions across every verse creates:

13447216210444631121224213321112103304730002132522110130241325332200250032211202

4131020040022104601000011111100201331504330014142200101

This number is also, astoundingly, a perfect multiple of seven

(1921030887206375874460601903016014757818571733217444304320189333171464290315886

0590145720003157800142858730157171618786332859163171443 x 7).

CONCLUDING EXAMPLES: A VERSE, A WORD AND A SEGMENT

Though these final examples do not relate to the special letters, they are nevertheless

important ones from Al-Kaḥeel‖s research. They illustrate how, among other examples, a

single Qur‖anic verse, segment of a verse and even a single word are supremely arranged in

coherence with the number seven.

A single verse: producing the like of the Qur’an

God Almighty orders the Prophet to state the following words in defence of the Qur‖an:

Say, ―Even if all mankind and jinn came together to produce something like this Qur‖an,

they could not produce anything like it, however much they helped each other.‖ (88) [Al-

Isrā‖, 17:88]

145

Observing the letter count of each word in the above verse gives rise to this arrangement:

نس ( ا ج ت ـ ع ت)اجتمعت ( ؿ ي ف)لئف ( ؽ ؿ)قؿ ( ا ؿ إ ف س)ال

5 6 3 2

( ي أ ت و ا)يأتوا ( أ ف)أف ( ع ؿ ي)عمى ( ا ؿ ج ف)الجف ( و) و

5 2 3 4 1

(ؿ ا)ل ( ا ؿ ؽ ر ا ف)القرءاف ( ىػػػ ذ ا)ىذا ( ب ـ ث ؿ)بمثؿ

2 6 3 4

(ؿ و)لو ( و)و ( ب ـ ث ؿ ىػػػ)بمثمو ( ي أ ت و ف)يأتوف

2 1 5 5

ـ ( ؾ ا ف)كاف (ظ ىػػػ ي ر ا )ظييرا ( ؿ ب ع ض)لبعض ( ب ع ض ىػػػ ـ)بعضي

5 4 5 3


Interestingly, it is also a multiple of nineteen, which, as witnessed earlier, is an important

number as well (28701134349185442928 x 19).

We have sent it down

One of the most powerful verses in the Qur‖an is the following:

We have sent down the Qur‖an Ourself, and We Ourself will guard it. (9) [Al-Ḥijr, 15:9]

This verse is comprised of 28 letters (4 x 7), distributed as follows:

لنا (ف ح ف) نحف (إ ف ا) إنا (ا ؿ ذ ؾ ر) الذكر (ف ز ؿ ف ا) نز

5 5 3 3

(ؿ ح ؼ ظ و ف) لحفظوف (ؿ ىػػػ) لو (إ ف ا) إنا( و) و

6 2 3 1

146

It is well known that the Qur‖an was sent down to the Prophet Muḥammad in 23 years.

Appropriately, the number is 62315533 is not just a multiple of seven (8902219 x 7); it is

also, indeed, a multiple of 23 (2709371 x 23)! In fact, amazingly, out of all the numbers from

one to 100, this number is only a multiple of one, seven and 23!

The easily remembered Qur’an

The fact that today, millions of people, young and old – and from all corners of the earth –

have completely memorised the Qur‖an by heart, perhaps stands testament to this verse:

We have indeed made the Qur‖an easy to understand and remember: but will anyone take

heed? (17) [Al-Qamar, 54:17]

This outcome arises from arranging the letter count of each word:

(ا ؿ ؽ ر ا ف) القرءاف (ي س ر ف ا) يسرنا (ؿ ؽ د) لقد ( و) و

6 5 3 1

(ـ د ؾ ر) مدكر (ـ ف) مف (ؼ ىػػػ ؿ) فيؿ (ؿ ؿ ذ ؾ ر) لمذكر

4 2 3 5

The number 42356531 is a multiple of seven twice (864419 x 7 x 7)!

Notably, in this chapter (The Moon), this verse is repeated in four locations, namely verses

40, 32, 22 and seventeen. Arranging these verse numbers produces:

Verse Verse Verse Verse

40 32 22 17

Confirming the fact that the number seven is not the only important number to feature in

the Qur‖an, the number 40322217 is not a multiple of seven, but a multiple of thirteen; not

once, in fact, but two times (238593 x 13 x 13)!

The vastness of the heavens

The following verse tells of the magnificent creation of the heavens:

147

We built the heavens with Our power and made them vast58 (47) [Al-Dhāriyāt, 51:47]

This verse consists of seven words, and exactly 28 letters (4 x 7), which are organised across

its words as follows:

(ب أ ي ي د) بأييد (ب ف ي ف ىػػػ ا) بنينيا (ا ؿ س ـ ا) السماء ( و) و

5 6 5 1

(ؿ ـ و س ع و ف) لموسعوف (ا إ ف) إنا( و) و

7 3 1

Not only is 7315651 a multiple of seven twice (149299 x 7 x 7), but reversing it also creates a

multiple of seven (1565137 = 223591 x 7).

By the star when it sets

In the first verse of Surat Al-Najm (Chapter: The Star), God issues a powerful oath, namely

that He swears ―By the star when it sets!‖. These words directly follow:

Your companion (i.e. Muḥammad) has not strayed; he is not deluded; (2) he does not speak

from his own desire. (3) The Qur‖an is nothing less than a revelation that is sent to him. (4)

[Al-Najm, 53:2-4]

The arrangement representing the letter count of each word is constructed as follows:

(ـ ا) ما( و) و (ص ا ح ب ؾ ـ) صاحبكـ (ض ؿ) ضؿ (ـ ا) ما

2 1 6 2 2

(ع ف) عف (ي ف ط ؽ) ينطؽ (ـ ا) ما( و) و (غ و ي) غوى

2 4 2 1 3

(ىػػػ و) ىو (إ ف) إف (ا ؿ ىػػػ و ي) اليوى

58 The phrase (و إنا لموسعون) ―and (We) made them vast‖, is also understood in Arabic as ―and (We) indeed extend

their vastness‖ or, as in the Khān and Hilāli translation, ―Verily, We are Able to extend the vastness of space

thereof”. Al-Kaḥeel notes that this phrase appears to point to an amazing scientific phenomenon, namely the

expansion of the universe.

148

2 2 5

(ي و ح ي) يوحى (و ح ي) وحى (إ ؿ ا) إل

4 3 3


By the positions of stars

Stars are indeed awarded a great status in the Qur‖an, and are cited a total of thirteen times

in either singular of plural form59. Here, God issues another oath connected to the stars:

I swear by the positions60 of the stars– (75) a mighty oath, if you only knew– (76) that this is

truly a noble Qur‖an, (77) in a protected Record (78) that only the purified can touch, (79)

sent down from the Lord of all being. (80) [Al-Wāqi―a, 56:75-80]

Arranging the letter count of each word produces another prolific outcome:

(ا ؿ ف ج و ـ) النجوـ (ب ـ و ؽ ع) بموقع (أ ؽ س ـ) أقسـ (ؼ ؿ ا) فال

6 5 4 3

(ؿ و) لو (ؿ ؽ س ـ) لقسـ (إ ف ىػػػ) إنو ( و) و

2 4 3 1

(ؿ ؽ ر ا ف) لقرءاف (إ ف ىػػػ) إنو (ع ظ ي ـ) عظيـ (ت ع ؿ ـ و ف) تعمموف

5 3 4 6

(ـ ؾ ف و ف) مكنوف (ؾ ت ب) ب كت (ؼ ي)ى ف (ؾ ر ي ـ) كريـ

5 3 2 4

59 6:97; 7:54; 16:12; 16:16; 22:18; 37:88; 52:49; 53:1; 55:6; 56:75; 77:8; 81:2; 86:3. 60 The word bimawāqi‘ (بمواقع) ―by the positions‖ is also understood in Arabic as ―by the setting‖ or ―by the falling‖

(of the stars).

149

(ا ؿ ـ ط ىػػػ ر و ف) المطيروف (إ ؿ ا) إل ( ي ـ س ىػػػ)يمسو (ؿ ا) ل

8 3 4 2

(ا ؿ ع ؿ ـ ي ف) العمميف (ر ب) رب (ـ ف) مف (ت ف ز ي ؿ) تنزيؿ

7 2 2 5


Jesus and Mary in the Qur’an

The wonderful status granted to both Jesus and Mary in the Qur‖an is unquestionable, and

is acknowledged by scholars of all faiths. Two ways in which Jesus is referred to in the

Qur‖an are (عسى ابن مرم) ―Jesus son of Mary‖ and (المسح ابن مرم) ―The Messiah son of Mary‖.

The four words making up these phrases are cited the following number of times across the

Qur‖an:

- The name (عسى) ―Jesus‖ is repeated exactly 25 times.

- The word (ابن) ―son‖ is repeated 35 times.

- The name (مرم) ―Mary‖ is repeated 34 times.

- The name (المسح) ―The Messiah‖ is repeated 11 times.

Beginning with the first phrase, ―Jesus son of Mary‖, and ignoring, for now, its word

repetitions in the Qur‖an, we simply arrange the letter count of its three Arabic words:

(ـ ر ي ـ)مريـ ( ا ب ف)ابف ( ع ي س ي)عيسى

4 3 4


Arranging, this time, the Qur‖an‖s repetition of each word creates this:

ابف مريـ عيسى

34 35 25

343525 is a multiple of seven again (49075 x 7). Beautifully, the digit sum of the quotient is

25, the number of times the name ―Jesus‖ is repeated in the Qur‖an (4 + 9 + 0 + 7 + 5 = 25)!

Also, even reversing the number 343525 creates a multiple of seven (525343 = 75049 x 7)!

Replacing, now, the repetitions of the name ―Jesus‖ with those of ―The Messiah‖ to create the

second way in which the Qur‖an acknowledges Jesus, still produces a brilliant result:

150

بف مريـا المسيح

34 35 11

343511 is also a multiple of seven (49073 x 7)!

The same verse repeats itself 31 times in one chapter

Surat Al-Raḥmān (Chapter: The Lord of Mercy) contains the following verse, which is

repeated in no less than 31 locations within this chapter:

Which, then, of your Lord‖s blessings do you both61 deny?

Reflecting on this curious repetition, Al-Kaḥeel notes these 31 verse numbers:

13, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69,

71, 73, 75, 77

Combining these verse numbers, Al-Kaḥeel produces an arrangement that looks like this:

Verse Verse Verse Verse <<<< Verse Verse

77 75 73 71 <<<< 16 13

77757371696765636159575553514947454240383634323028252321181613 is a multiple of

seven (11108195956680805165653650502135350605769090617575464617311659 x 7).

Incredibly, too, completely reversing this 62-digit number creates

31618112325282032343638304245474941535557595163656769617375777, again a multiple of

seven (4516873189326004620519757749353563076508227880522395659625111 x 7).

Pondering on the wisdom behind the fact that this verse is cited precisly 31 times, and not,

say, 30 or 32 times, Al-Kaḥeel insists that this number must be significant in some way. He

in fact arranges the numbers 1 through to 31, in logical sequence, into a single number:

31302928272625242322212019181716151413121110987654321

Identical to the previous result, this number is not only a multiple of seven

(4471846896089320331744574168816593059017301569664903 x 7), but reversing it creates a

multiple of seven as well (12345678901112131415161718191021222324252627282920313 =

1763668414444590202165959741574460332036089611845759 x 7).

61 Mankind and jinn.

151

A single word: nufikha

The word nufikha ( نفخ) means ―will be blown (i.e. the trumpet)‖. It relates to one of the first

stages in the arrival of the Day of Judgment: the blowing of the trumpet, which gathers the

people of mankind. We will soon encounter just how immaculately this word is placed

across different locations in the Qur‖an in a manner that is perfectly harmonious with the

number seven62.

Nufikha is repeated seven times in the Qur‖an, and the subject is the blowing of the trumpet

on every occasion. This word must not be confused with nafakha ( ف خ (ن , however, which

consists of the same three letters but contains a different diacritic on top of the first and

second letters, changing its meaning. Also, the context of nafakha (cited only once in the

Qur‖an) is entirely different, as it does not concern the blowing of the trumpet63.

Below are the seven citations of nufikha, in their order of appearance in the Qur‖an:

1. Al-Kahf, 18:99

2. Al-Mu‖minūn, 23:101

3. Yā Sīn, 36:51

4. Al-Zumar, 39:68

5. Al-Zumar, 39:68 (the word nufikha occurs twice in this verse)

6. Qāf, 50:20

7. Al-Ḥāqqah, 69:13

To begin with, the chapter numbers in which this word is found will be arranged below:

Al-Ḥāqqah Qāf Al-Zumar Yā Sīn Al-Mu‖minūn Al-Kahf

Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter

69 50 39 36 23 18

The number 695039362318 is a multiple of seven no less than four times (289479118 x 7 x 7 x

7 x 7). Amazingly, the digit sum of the quotient, namely 289479118, is 49 (2 + 8 + 9 + 4 + 7 + 9

+ 1 + 1 + 8 = 49 = 7 x 7).

62 This word is not the only one that is superbly arranged across the Holy Qur‖an. Al-Kaḥeel, in several works,

reveals a countless collection of examples of how various Qur‖anic words and phrases – in terms of verse

and/or chapter number (since these two numbers are what determine the location of a word or phrase) – are

profoundly distributed across the Qur‖an in absolute harmony with the number seven. A few more examples

will be shown following this one. The Qur‖an‖s arrangement of verses and chapters is always strictly followed. 63 Rather, it concerns God‖s creation of human beings (Al-Sajda, 32:9).

152

Next, Al-Kaḥeel thinks along the following lines. The blowing of the trumpet, according to

Islam, occurs twice. The outcome of the first sounding of the trumpet is the exact opposite

of that of the second sounding. That is, the first time the trumpet is blown, all of God‖s

creations die; the second time, they are brought back to life again. Since these events are

opposites, and since the first sounding is a reversal of the second, the final quotient is

consequently reversed as well, changing it to 811974982. Astoundingly, this number, too, is

a multiple of seven not once, but four times (338182 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7)!

While the probability of the above outcomes, which were derived from no more than a

single word, is virtually nil, arranging the verse numbers pertaining to the word nufikha also

produces a brilliant result:

Al-Ḥāqqah Qāf Al-Zumar Yā Sīn Al-Mu‖minūn Al-Kahf

Verse Verse Verse Verse Verse Verse

13 20 68 51 101 99


Or do they say, ‘He has devised it’?

Similarly to the last example, the examples to follow (apart from the very last) will present

verses in which particular words or phrases are repeated. The respective verse numbers

for each example will be arranged – in their order of appearance in the Qur‖an, of course –

into a single number, to illustrate how perfectly distributed these words or statements are

across the Qur‖an, in a manner that is coherent with the number seven every time.

Five verses in the Qur‖an contain the following statement, which concerns the accusation

that the Prophet himself had authored the Qur‖an (note that this statement is translated

differently in English according to the prevailing context, but in Arabic, its three words are

always the same):

Or do they say, ―He has devised it‖?

These five verses are as follows:

153

Or do they say, ―He has devised it‖? Say, ―Then produce a sura like it, and call on anyone you

can beside God if you are telling the truth.‖ (38) [Yūnus, 10:38]

If they say, ―He has invented it himself,‖ say, ―Then produce ten invented suras like it, and

call in whoever you can beside God, if you are truthful.‖ (13) [Hūd, 11:13]

If [these disbelievers (in Mecca)] say, ―He has made this up,‖ say [Muhammad], ―If I have

made this up, I am responsible for my own crime, but I am innocent of the crimes you

commit.‖ (35) [Hūd, 11:35]

Yet they say, ―Muhammad has made it up.‖ No indeed! It is the Truth from your Lord for you

[Prophet], to warn a people who have had no one to warn them before, so that they may be

guided. (3) [Al-Sajda, 32:3]

Or they say, ―He has invented it himself.‖ Say [Prophet], ―If I have really invented it, there is

nothing you can do to save me from God. He knows best what you say amongst yourselves

about it; He is sufficient as a witness between me and you; He is the Most Forgiving, the

Most Merciful.‖ (8) [Al-Aḥqāf, 46:8]

Al-Aḥqāf Al-Sajda Hūd Hūd Yūnus


8 3 35 13 38

154

The number 83351338 is a multiple of seven (11907334 x 7). Even the digit sum of the

quotient is a multiple of seven (1 + 1 + 9 + 0 + 7 + 3 + 3 + 4 = 28 = 4 x 7).

‘We keep an account of everything’

The word aḥṣaynāhu (أحصنه) , meaning that ―We (i.e. God) keep an account‖ or ―We have

recorded‖, is used on two occasions in the Qur‖an, and only when God himself speaks:

We shall certainly bring the dead back to life, and We record what they send ahead of them

as well as what they leave behind: We keep an account of everything in a clear Record64.

(12) [Yā Sīn, 36:12]

We have recorded everything in a Record. (29) [Al-Naba‖, 78:29]

Al-Naba‖ Yā Sīn

Verse Verse

29 12


The blessings of God cannot be counted

The word tuḥṣūhā (تحصوها) , which refers to being able to count or calculate something, is

repeated twice in the Qur‖an, and both times, reference is to man‖s inability to count God‖s

eternal blessings:

64 Note that earlier, the letters of the special phrase ys were found in this verse, and the resulting

arrangement produced a multiple of 114.

155

And [He has] given you some of everything you asked Him for. If you tried to count God‖s

favours you could never calculate them: man is truly unjust and ungrateful. (34) [Ibrāhīm,

14:34]

If you tried to count God‖s blessings, you could never take them all in: He is truly most

forgiving and most merciful. (18) [Al-Naḥl, 16:18]

Al-Naḥl Ibrāhīm

Verse Verse

18 34


Gabriel brought down the Qur’an

The word nazzalahu (نزله) , which refers to someone bringing something down, is found on

two occasions in the Qur‖an, and in both cases, the Angel Gabriel is referred to as having

brought down the Qur‖an to the Prophet Muḥammad:

Say [Prophet], ―If anyone is an enemy of Gabriel– who by God‖s leave brought down the

Qur‖an to your heart confirming previous scriptures as a guide and good news for the

faithful– (97) [Al-Baqara, 2:97]

Say that the Holy Spirit (i.e. Gabriel) has brought the Revelation with the Truth step by step

from your Lord, to strengthen the believers and as guidance and good news to the devout.

[Al-Naḥl, 16:102]

156

Al-Naḥl Al-Baqara

Verse Verse

102 97


A confirmation and an explanation

The words yuftara (فترى) ―to be devised‖ or ―to be fabricated‖, taṣdeeq (تصدق) ―a

confirmation‖, and tafṣeel (تفصل) ―a [full] explanation‖ are each cited twice in the entire

Qur‖an. These citations are in fact all found in the following two verses:

Nor could this Qur‖an have been devised by anyone other than God. It is a confirmation of

what was revealed before it and an explanation of the Scripture– let there be no doubt

about it– it is from the Lord of the Worlds. (37) [Yūnus, 10:37]

There is a lesson in the stories of such people for those who understand. This revelation is

no fabrication: it is a confirmation of the truth of what was sent before it; an explanation of

everything; a guide and a blessing for those who believe. (111) [Yūsuf, 12:111]

Yūsuf Yūnus

Verse Verse

111 37


Good news and warning

The following two verses are the only two in the Qur‖an to contain the statement shown in

bold, which speaks of the purpose of the Prophet‖s message:

157

We sent down the Qur‖an with the truth, and with the truth it has come down– [Prophet],

We sent you only to give good news and warning (105) [Al-Isrā‖, 17:105]

We sent you only to give good news and warning (56) [Al-Furqān, 25:56]

Al-Furqān Al-Isrā‖

Verse Verse

56 105

The number 56105 is a multiple of seven twice (1145 x 7 x 7). The fact that it is a multiple of

seven two times is not only fitting for a statement occuring twice in the Qur‖an, but

beautifully, this statement clarifies that the Prophet was sent with two things: ―good news‖

and ―warning‖!

A healing for people

The word shifā’ (شفاء) , which means ―healing‖, is cited four times in the Qur‖an:

People, a teaching from your Lord has come to you, a healing for what is in [your] hearts,

and guidance and mercy for the believers. (57) [Yūnus, 10:57]

And your Lord inspired the bee, saying, ―Build yourselves houses in the mountains and trees

and what people construct. (68) Then feed on all kinds of fruit and follow the ways made

158

easy for you by your Lord.‖ From their bellies comes a drink of different colours in which

there is healing for people. There truly is a sign in this for those who reflect. (69). [Al-Naḥl,

16:68-69]

We send down the Qur‖an as healing and mercy to those who believe; as for those who

disbelieve, it only increases their loss. (82) [Al-Isrā‖, 17:82]

If We had made it a foreign Qur‖an, they would have said, ―If only its verses were clear!

What? Foreign speech to an Arab?‖ Say, ―It is guidance and healing for those who have faith,

but the ears of the disbelievers are heavy, they are blind to it, it is as if they are being called

from a distant place.‖ (44) [Fuṣṣilat, 41:44]

Fuṣṣilat Al-Isrā‖ Al-Naḥl Yūnus


44 82 69 57


We have decorated the skies

The word zayyannāhā (زناها) , meaning ―We have adorned/decorated it‖, or ―We have made it

beautiful‖, is repeated in two locations in the Qur‖an, when the skies are mentioned:

We have set constellations up in the sky and made it beautiful for all to see (16) [Al-Ḥijr,

15:16]

159

Do they not see the sky above them––how We have built and adorned it, with no rifts in it?

(6) [Qāf, 50:6]

Qāf Al-Ḥijr

Verse Verse

6 16


We have built the skies

Yet another word related to the skies is banaynāhā (بنناها) ―We have built it‖, which is also

found in two locations in the Qur‖an (the first of these is in fact the sixth verse of chapter

50, seen in the previous example, and the second is a verse from an earlier example):

Do they not see the sky above them––how We have built and adorned it, with no rifts in it?

(6) [Qāf, 50:6]

We built the heavens with Our power and made them vast (47) [Al-Dhāriyāt, 51:47]

Al-Dhāriyāt Qāf

Verse Verse

47 6


God holds the skies

The word yumsik (مسك) ―(He) withholds‖ or ―(He) keeps hold‖ is found in the following four

passages in the Qur‖an:

160

Have you not considered how God has made everything on the earth of service to you? And

the ships that sail the sea at his command? That He keeps the heavens from falling down

on the earth without His permission? God is most compassionate and most merciful to

mankind (65) [Al-Ḥajj, 22:65]

No one can withhold the blessing God opens up for people, nor can anyone but Him release

whatever He withholds: He is the Almighty, the One who Decides. (2) [Fāṭir, 35:2]

God keeps the heavens and the earth from vanishing; if they did vanish, no one else could

stop them. God is most forbearing, most forgiving. (41) [Fāṭir, 35:41]

God takes souls at the time of death and the souls of the living while they sleep. He keeps

hold of those whose death He has ordained and sends the others back until their appointed

time: there truly are signs in this for those who reflect. (42) [Al-Zumar, 39:42]

Al-Zumar Fāṭir Fāṭir Al-Ḥajj


42 41 2 65


Your companion has not strayed

The word ṣāḥibukum (صاحبكم) ―your companion‖ (i.e. Muḥammad) is used three times in the

Qur‖an, when God specifically addresses the people of Mecca, assuring them that the

Prophet Muḥammad is not mad, nor is he strayed:

161

... ...

...There is no sign of madness in your companion... (46) [Saba‖, 34:46]

Your companion has not strayed (2) [Al-Najm, 53:2]

Your companion is not mad (22) [Al-Takwīr, 81:22]

Al-Takwīr Al-Najm Saba‖

Verse Verse Verse

22 2 46

22246 is a multiple of seven twice (454 x 7 x 7)!

No soul shall bear the burden of another

On five occasions in the Qur‖an, the word wāzira (وازرة) ―soul‖ or ―bearer or burdens‖ is cited,

to indicate the fact that ―no soul shall bear the burden of another‖:

...

Say, ―Should I seek a Lord other than God, when He is the Lord of all things?‖ Each soul is responsible for its own actions; no soul will bear the burden of another... (164) [Al-An―ām,

6:164]

Whoever accepts guidance does so for his own good; whoever strays does so at his own

peril. No soul will bear another‖s burden, nor do We punish until We have sent a

messenger. (15) [Al-Isrā‖, 17:15]

162

...

No burdened soul will bear the burden of another... (18) [Fāṭir, 35:18]

...

If you are ungrateful, remember God has no need of you, yet He is not pleased by

ingratitude in His servants; if you are grateful, He is pleased [to see] it in you. No soul will

bear another‖s burden... (7) [Al-Zumar, 39:7]

that no soul shall bear the burden of another (38) [Al-Najm, 53:38]

Al-Najm Al-Zumar Fāṭir Al-Isrā‖ Al-An―ām


38 7 18 15 164

The number 3871815164 is a multiple of seven twice (79016636 x 7 x 7)!

We make grains grow

Even a word as ordinary and unassuming as ḥabban ( حبا) ―grain(s)‖ – found four times across

the Qur‖an – is beautifully placed:

...

It is He who sends down water from the sky. With it We produce the shoots of each plant,

then bring greenery from it, and from that We bring out grains, one riding on the other in

close-packed rows...(99) [Al-An―ām, 6:99]

163

There is a sign for them in the lifeless earth: We give it life and We produce grain from it

for them to eat. (33) [Yā Sīn, 36:33]

to bring forth with it grain, plans (15) [Al-Naba‖, 78:15]

We make grain grow (27) [―Abas, 80:27]

―Abas Al-Naba‖ Yā Sīn Al-An―ām


27 15 33 99

The number 27153399 is not just a multiple of seven twice (554151 x 7 x 7), but the digit sum

of its quotient is also a multiple of seven (5 + 5 + 4 + 1 + 5 + 1 = 21 = 3 x 7).

Have they not contemplated?

The word yaddabbarū (دبروا) is mentioned two times in the Qur‖an, and refers to the need

for people to ―think‖ or ―contemplate‖:

Have they not contemplated the Word of God? Has something come to them that did not

come to their forefathers? (68) [Al-Mu‖minūn, 23:68]

This is a blessed Scripture, which We have sent down to you [Muḥammad], so that people

may think about its messages65 and those with understanding take heed. (29) [Ṣād, 38:29]

Ṣād Al-Mu‖minūn

Verse Verse

65 Also translated as ―verses‖ or ―signs‖.

164

29 68


The number seven!

Even the very word ―seven‖ is perfectly arranged! Although this number is mentioned

numerous times in the Qur‖an, it is cited only four times in its standard form of sab‘a (سبعة) :

...

Complete the pilgrims, major and minor, for the sake of God. If you are prevented [from

doing so], then [send] whatever offering for sacrifice you can afford, and do not shave your

heads until the offering has reached the place of sacrifice. If any of you is ill, or has an

ailment of the scalp, he should compensate by fasting, or feeding the poor, or offering

sacrifice. When you are in safety, anyone wishing to take a break between the minor

pilgrimage and the major one must make whatever offering he can afford. If he lacks

means, he should fast for three days during the pilgrimage, and seven days on his return,

making ten days in all... (196) [Al-Baqara, 2:196]

With seven gates, each gate having its allotted share of them. (44) [Al-Ḥijr, 15:44]

...

[Some] say, ―The sleepers were three, and their dog made four,‖ others say, ―They were five,

and the dog made six‖– guessing in the dark– and some say, ―They were seven, and their dog

made eight.‖ Say [Prophet], ―My Lord knows best how many they were.‖ Only a few have real

knowledge about them... (22) [Al-Kahf, 18:22]

165

If all the trees on earth were pens and all the seas, with seven more seas besides, [were ink],

still God‖s words would not run out: God is almighty and all wise. (27) [Luqmān, 31:27]

Luqmān Al-Kahf Al-Ḥijr Al-Baqara


27 22 44 196

272244196 is a multiple of seven two times (5556004 x 7 x 7)! Even the final quotient, when

reversed, gives a multiple of seven (4006555 = 572365 x 7).

John and Elisha

Even the names of admirable prophets who are revered in Islam, and are important in both

Judaism and Christianity, are supremely organised across the Qur‖an! Beginning with John

(pbuh), famously known as John the Baptist, his name occurs five times in the Qur‖an, in

the following order:

There and then Zachariah prayed to his Lord, saying, ―Lord, from Your grace grant me

virtuous offspring: You hear every prayer.‖ (38) The angels called out to him, while he stood

praying in the sanctuary, ―God gives you news of John, confirming a Word from God. He

will be noble and chaste, a prophet, one of the righteous.‖ (39) [Al-―Imrān, 3:38-39]

Zachariah, John, Jesus, and Elijah–every one of them was righteous (85) [Al-An―ām, 6:85]

166

―Zachariah, We bring you good news of a son whose name will be John–We have chosen this

name for no one before him.‖ (7) [Maryam, 19:7]

[We said], ―John, hold on to the Scripture firmly.‖ While he was still a boy, We granted him

wisdom (12) [Maryam, 19:12]

Remember Zachariah, when he cried to his Lord, ―My Lord, do not leave me childless,

though You are the best of heirs.‖ (89) We answered him–We gave him John, curing his wife

[for him]–they were always keen to do good deeds. They called upon Us out of longing and

awe, and humbled themselves before Us. (90) [Al-Anbiyā‖, 21:89-90]

Al-Anbiyā‖ Maryam Maryam Al-An―ām Al-―Imrān


90 12 7 85 39

The number 901278539 is a multiple of seven (128754077 x 7). Magnificently, reversing the

quotient produces a multiple of seven twice (770457821 = 15723629 x 7 x 7).

Elisha (pbuh) is another prophet mentioned in the Qur‖an, whose name features twice:

Ishmael, Elisha, Jonah, and Lot. We favoured each of them over other people. (86) [Al-

An―ām, 6:86]

167

And remember Our servants Ishmael, Elisha, and Dhu ‖l-Kifl66, each of them truly good. (48)

[Ṣād, 38:48]

Ṣād Al-An―ām

Verse Verse

48 86

The number 4886 is a multiple of seven (698 x 7). As with the arrangement of John‖s name

above, reversing the quotient here also produces a multiple of seven (896 = 128 x 7).

‘In God’s eyes Jesus is just like Adam’

The only time in the Qur‖an when both Jesus and Adam are mentioned together in the same

verse is in the following:

In God‖s eyes Jesus is just like Adam: He created him from dust, said to him, ―Be‖, and he

was. [Al-―Imrān, 3:59]

A highly summarised version of the interpretation of this verse is that God Almighty, just as

He was able to miraculously create Jesus without a father, also miraculously created Adam

without a father, and even, in fact, without a mother. As will now be seen, the Qur‖an‖s

numbers – and especially the number seven – most beautifully express the resemblance

between Adam and Jesus.

To begin with, each name is cited the exact same number of times in the Qur‖an, namely 25.

What‖s more, from the above verse, the two words (مثل عسى) , meaning ―the example of

Jesus‖, consist of seven letters. The two words like the example of Adam‖ also― (كمثل آدم)

consist of seven letters. So do the two words (عند هللا) ―In God‖s eyes‖. Also, the name (عسى)

―Jesus‖ consists of four letters, and (آدم) ―Adam‖ consists of three, totalling seven letters.

Having said all this, the very phrase (إن مثل عسى عند هللا كمثل آدم) ―In God‖s eyes Jesus is just

like Adam‖ consists of exactly seven words. However, that is not all by any means.

The seventh time the name ―Jesus‖ appears in the Qur‖an is in fact the above verse.

Profoundly, the seventh time the name ―Adam‖ appears in the Qur‖an is in none other than

the above verse as well. In other words, the seventh time that each name is cited in the

Qur‖an is the only time where the names are found together in the same verse! Yet that,

too, is not the end of it.

66 ―Some commentators suggest this refers to the prophet Ezekiel‖ (Abdel Ḥaleem, The Qur’an, p. 207).

168

The table below lists the chapter and verse numbers where Jesus and Adam are mentioned

(―c‖ denotes ―chapter‖ and ―v‖ denotes ―verse‖):

The Repetitions of ‘Adam’ and ‘Jesus’ in the Qur’an Order ADAM C V

C V JESUS Order

1 He taught Adam all the names ...

2 31

2 87

... We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear signs and

strengthened him with the holy spirit ...

1

2

2 33

2 136

2

3

2 34

2 253

3

4

2 35

3 45

4

5

2 37

3 52

5

6

3 33

3 55

6

7

In God‖s eyes Jesus is just like Adam: He created him

from dust, said to him, ―Be‖, and he

was.

3 59

3 59

In God‖s eyes Jesus is just like Adam: He

created him from dust, said to him, ―Be‖, and he

was.

7

8

5 27

3 84

8

9

7 11

4 157

9

10

7 19

4 163

10

11

7 26

4 171

11

12

7 27

5 46

12

13

7 31

5 78

13

14

7 35

5 110

14

15

7 172

5 112

15

16

17 61

5 114

16

17

17 70

5 116

17

18

18 50

6 85

18

19

These were the prophets God

blessed—from the seed of Adam ...

19 58

19 34 Such was Jesus, son of

Mary ... 19

20

20 115

33 7

20

21

20 116

42 13

21

22

20 117

43 63

22

23

20 120

57 27

23

24

20 121

61 6

24

169

25

Children of Adam, did I not command

you not to serve Satan ...

36 60 61 14

You who believe, be God‖s helpers; as Jesus, son of Mary, said to the disciples, ―Who will be

my helpers in God‖s cause?‖ ...

25

Another beautiful point is found from the above table, this time with respect to the number

nineteen. Beautifully, the nineteenth repetition of the name ―Adam‖ is found in the

nineteenth chapter, Surat Maryam. The same is true for the nineteenth citation of ―Jesus‖,

which is also found in the nineteenth chapter!

Finally, the most magnificent set of outcomes is found from the above verse numbers.

First, arranging the 25 verse numbers pertaining to the name ―Jesus‖ – as always, in their

order of Qur‖anic appearance – creates a spectacularly large and complex number:

146276313734851161141121107846171163157845955524525313687

Incredibly, this 57-digit number is a flawless multiple of seven

(20896616247835880163017301120881594736835136503503616241 x 7). Apart from one, in

fact, it is not a multiple of any other single digit number!

And as if that is not breathtaking enough, arranging the 25 verse numbers belonging to

―Adam‖ create an entirely different, yet equally splendid and complex outcome:

60121120117116115585070611723531272619112759333735343331

Almost unimaginably, this number is a perfect multiple of seven, and also – apart from one

– a multiple of no other single digit number

(8588731445302302226438658817647324659873251333390763333 x 7)!!

Mathānī

The word mathānī (مثان) , meaning ―oft-recited‖, ―oft-repeated‖, or something which ―draws

comparisons‖, is mentioned two times in the Qur‖an, once in reference to Al-Fātiḥa, the

Qur‖an‖s first chapter, and another time in describing the Qur‖an itself:

We have given you the seven oft-recited verses and the whole glorious Qur‖an. (87) [Al-Ḥijr,

15:87]

170

God has sent down the most beautiful of all teachings: a Scripture that is consistent and

draws comparisons; that causes the skins of those in awe of their Lord to quiver. Then

their skins and their hearts soften at the mention of God: such is God‖s guidance. He guides

with it whoever He will; no one can guide those God leaves to stray. (23) [Al-Zumar, 39:23]

Al-Zumar Al-Ḥijr

Verse Verse

23 87


The Qur’an’s distinct, clear verses

Beautifully, the word fuṣṣilat (فصلت) – which denotes that something is made distinct or

clear – is found three times in the Qur‖an, and on every occasion, the subject of this

distinctness is none other than the verses of the Qur‖an:

Alif Lām Rā. [This is] a Scripture whose verses are perfected, then set out clearly, from One

who is all wise, all aware. (1) [Hūd, 11:1]

A Scripture whose verses are made distinct as a Qur‖an in Arabic for people who

understand (3) [Fuṣṣilat, 41:3]

171

If We had made it a foreign Qur‖an, they would have said, ―If only its verses were clear!

What? Foreign speech to an Arab?‖ Say, ―It is guidance and healing for those who have faith,

but the ears of the disbelievers are heavy, they are blind to it, it is as if they are being called

from a distant place.‖ (44) [Fuṣṣilat, 41:44]

Fuṣṣilat Fuṣṣilat Hūd

Verse Verse Verse

44 3 1

The number 4431 is a multiple of seven (633 x 7). Not only does reversing this number

achieve a multiple of seven (1344 = 192 x 7), but a mind-boggling set of outcomes is found

with respect to the above quotient, 633. First, reversing it gives a multiple of seven (336 =

48 x 7). Reversing that quotient, 48, gives a multiple of seven (84 = 12 x 7). Yet again,

reversing that quotient, 12, gives a multiple of seven (21 = 3 x 7)! Ultimately, we are left with

the number three: the very number of times the word fuṣṣilat ―made distinct‖ is cited in the

Qur‖an! Talk about ―made distinct‖... a severe case of poetry in numbers?

A segment of a verse: Who speaks more truly than God?

In addressing those who believe and perform righteous deeds, God Almighty states:

But We shall admit those who believe and do good deeds into Gardens graced with flowing

streams, there to remain for ever– a true promise from God. Who speaks more truly than

God? (122) [Al-Nisā‖, 4:122]

In the final statement of this verse, God asks a rhetorical question: who speaks more truly

than God? Al-Kaḥeel examines this segment alone, and comes across a profound result.

First, the letter count of the words in this passage is as follows:

172

(ؽ ي ؿ ا )قيال (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)المو (ـ ف)مف ( أ ص د ؽ)أصدؽ ( ـ ف)مف ( و)و

4 4 2 4 2 1


The next arrangement is far more wonderful, however. As mentioned and encountered on

several occasions earlier, Al-Kaḥeel often looks for the three different letters making up

God‖s name, Allah, in certain passages; quite fittingly, he does so here. These three letters

are alif (أ), lām (ل) and hāʾ (هـــ), and are found seven times in this passage. What is most

amazing is precisely how these seven occurrences are distributed:

(ؿ ا ؽ ي )قيال (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)المو (ـ ف)مف ( ص د ؽ أ)أصدؽ ( ـ ف)مف ( و)و

2 4 0 1 0 0

Astoundingly, the number 240100 is a multiple of seven four times (100 x 7 x 7 x 7 x 7), and

four is the very number of letters making up Allah’s name. It seems that this arrangement

contains something of a watermark signature on behalf of God Almighty; a subtle, delicate

indication that He alone has authored these words. Crucially, too, is not the final quotient,

namely 100, a further confirmation, perhaps, that these words are indeed God‖s, 100%?

In addition to all this, the exact location of the name Allah in this passage is perfectly

harmonious with the number seven.

That is, the number of words before and after the name Allah forms a multiple of seven:

(ؽ ي ؿ ا )قيال (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)المو ( ـ ف)مف ( أ ص د ؽ)أصدؽ ( ـ ف)ف م ( و)و

1 4


Next, the number of letters before and after the name Allah forms a multiple of seven:

(ؽ ي ؿ ا )قيال (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)المو ( ـ ف)مف ( أ ص د ؽ)أصدؽ ( ـ ف)مف ( و)و

4 9


Beautifully, even the number of letters making up Allah’s name (namely alif (أ), lām (ل) and

hāʾ (هـــ)) – before and after the name Allah – forms a multiple of seven:

173

(ؿ ا ؽ ي )قيال (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ)المو ( ـ ف)مف ( ص د ؽ أ)أصدؽ ( ـ ف)مف ( و)و

2 1


More and more examples are scattered all across the Qur‖an, and I conclude with the three-

word statement, ―a true promise from God‖ (وعد هللا حق ا) , which is the one directly preceding

the above statement found in this 122nd verse of Surat Al-Nisā’ (Chapter: Women).

First, finding the normal letter count of each word reveals this result:

(ح ؽ ا) حقا (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو (و ع د) وعد

3 4 3

343 is a multiple of seven three times (7 x 7 x 7)!

Finally, finding the letters of the name Allah in this statement gives:

(اح ؽ ) حقا (ا ؿ ؿ ىػػػ) المو (و ع د) وعد

1 4 0

140 is again a multiple of seven (20 x 7).

CONCLUSION

A bounty of numeric examples has been put forward with respect to the special letters of

the Qur‖an. This has shed new light on what might be a breakthrough; a discovery like

never before into both the mystery of the special letters, but also – in more general terms –

into the wonders of the Qur‖an‖s numeric inimitability. While the method used to unravel

these facts seems rather unique, it is not at all eccentric: for the very fact that the fawātiḥ

are letters in their own right inherently suggests the need to explore these letters within

their appropriate contexts, in terms of their repetition, arrangement and distribution

across relevant verses and chapters. As seen, the nature of this method conveniently

accommodates for a very detailed investigation of the special letters.

As a direct consequence, it seems highly likely that one of the purposes of these captivating

letters – which are suitably placed at the beginning of all 29 chapters, comfortably and

readily allowing themselves to be explored within words, verses, and entire chapters – is to

effectively serve as a mechanism which demonstrates and confirms that all these chapters,

and in turn, these verses, words, and indeed these letters, are not only accurate in their

content and amazingly eloquent, but simply miraculous. This is due, if anything, to the

174

fact that the supreme manner by which the special letters appear to be orchestrated and so

finely tuned within the fabric of these words, verses and whole chapters cannot be rivalled

even by the most exceptional of human endeavours. Naturally, one might feel more

comfort in assuming that if the very letters within the words are so well preserved, this

strongly implies that the entire Qur‖an has been so very well protected since it came into

existence:

―We shall make sure of its safe collection and recitation. When We have recited it, follow its

recital, and then it is up to Us to make it clear‖ (Q. 75:17-19).

―We have sent down the Qur‖an Ourself, and We Ourself will guard it‖ (Q. 15:9).

Unsurprisingly, an effort to introduce and preserve this unique kind of numeric

consistency, orderliness and discipline within the pages of a literary work (and, moreover,

leave it hidden) has never been made by any author, nor has it even been of remote

interest or importance to any author, let alone one who lived fourteen centuries ago. One

clear reason for this is that the author, with numerous other matters on his mind, would

find no incentive to engage in this seemingly tedious exercise, and would immediately

dismiss it as an unnecessary, troublesome and pointless burden. Crucially, also, this

ambitious pursuit – which would inevitably force the author to endlessly amend his work

in order to comply with the intended harmony of his numbers – would ultimately cause the

quality of the content itself to be irreversibly compromised.

While the examples highlighted were certainly plenty, those not explored are, to say the

least, far greater; sadly, a whole host of spectacular examples have needed to be (though

highly tempted otherwise) withheld for the sake of simplicity and brevity. Not only that,

but the focus of this work was mainly the number seven, and I must add, having witnessed

quite a few examples pertaining to other numbers (including, inter alia, eleven, thirteen,

seventeen and nineteen), that these are also simply sublime. In the years to come, in fact,

perhaps a new layer of miracle might be discovered, which reveals the prominence of an

entirely different number.

Although each example shown is truly worthy of deep and thorough reflection, the

illustrations given still in fact do not answer every question (do not even touch upon every

special phrase), and are no more than an executive summary of Al-Kaḥeel‖s work. Yet one

question which deserves asking is this: is it even mildly conceivable for all these outcomes

to be simply explained away as mere coincidence? Using the very same technique, we have

witnessed quite a few multiples of eleven, thirteen and 114 (with the latter fitting the

context of its passages beautifully!), but nearly 200 multiples of seven – of sheer magnitude

– in this study alone. With that in mind, has coincidence ever been this consistent? The

phenomenon of chance may well occur once, twice, three times, ten times or maybe even

twenty times, but when we reach triple digits (and there are actually thousands, not

hundreds, of examples) within a single book, then it becomes increasingly difficult to call

this chance.

175

The Qur‖an‖s numeric inimitability remains a young and fruitful area in the field of Qur‖anic

exegesis, with much to offer. It is thus sincerely hoped that what has been shared will

represent, at least, enlightening insight into an aspect of the Qur‖an that has been

drastically neglected and misunderstood, and will restore its severely dented reputation in

the public eye, which was the unfortunate result of efforts by some to hoodwink readers,

and manipulate numbers to their own advantage. Hopefully, this and similar works will

spark a renewed sense of interest and research into the subject.

Notably, while some may find this subject fascinating, others – and understandably so –

may equally find it uninteresting and maybe even unimportant; such, perhaps, is the

nature of the language of numbers. Then again, this very nature, being unbiased, verifiable

and highly ―hands-on‖ in its practicality, may well render the Qur‖an‖s numeric inimitability

a hugely popular topic. This field of study, it is believed, deserves the attention not only of

specialists in exegesis, interpretation and linguistics, but equally and perhaps more so, of

mathematicians, probability theorists and scientists. Moreover, being an expert on

absolutely none of the above, my genuine interest in this subject suggests to me that a

much wider audience could indeed find it appealing.

It must also be remembered that the person who initially made much of these

breakthroughs some years ago, namely Mr Al-Kaḥeel, deserves recognition. I must

acknowledge that any patterns or arrangements which I have come across, be it in terms of

ḥm ‘sq, ṭā sīn, other special phrases or anything at all related to the Qur‖an‖s numeric

inimitability, have been the simple consequence of applying his methodology and logic.

Hence, I cannot claim to have strictly made any discoveries of my own.

Have we possibly stumbled upon a groundbreaking finding that presents tangible, literal

proof of the Qur‖an‖s authenticity, marking something of a milestone? Are we at the brink

of such a spectacle? While this will be left to the contemplation of readers, one fact which

is certain is that the Qur‖an was revealed more than 1400 years ago, to a man who was an

ummī (unschooled; unlettered), in a time and place where the above kind of mathematics or

numeric analysis was virtually unknown.

How could someone, then, in the position of the Prophet, elegantly design a complex,

ingenious numeric system with such sensitive, intricately woven details and allow it to

stand the sturdy test of time, only for the people of the 21st century to finally uncover only a

glimpse of its glorious secrets? How could he have distributed the letters of alm across such

a range of verses, or organised the letters of both ḥm and ‘sq, with such perfection across

the same chapter in its entirety? How could he have possibly engineered the letters of almr

within a segment of a verse that so profoundly describes the Qur‖an, in a manner which

created not just a multiple of seven from either direction, but also a multiple of the number

corresponding to the Qur‖an‖s chapters, namely 114?

Furthermore, how could he have narrated the story of the People of the Cave with such

detail and familiarity, let alone flawlessly chosen its words to pave the way for – of all

numbers – the number 309 to resonate in such organised and impeccable fashion, on more

176

than one occasion, within the story itself? How could he have placed such a vast ocean of

words and phrases in all the right places throughout the Qur‖an, in a way that produced,

with astonishing consistency, endless multiples of seven? Is it even an ordinary habit, in

the first place, for an author to repeat the same statement – like that found 31 times in a

single chapter – so frequently within the pages of his book?

How could he have guaranteed that the word ―Qur‖an‖ would ultimately be cited 58 times

within this scripture, created a verse which spoke immaculately about the Qur‖an‖s

everlasting signs in one of its earliest chapters, positioned it as the 58th verse, and, with

sheer artistry, arranged the letters of God‖s name (Allah) within it to produce a multiple of

none other than 58? How, too, could he have carefully crafted not only the letters of alm,

but also those of God‖s name, within a passage that so accurately and confidently foretold

of an event that would occur in the future, in such a way that produced a multiple of seven

in each case? How, indeed, could this unlettered man exhibit such a masterful command of

numbers, words, and most importantly, of letters?

What means did he possibly have to create these astronomic figures, and verify their

accuracy with devastating precision – making sure that every word was in its proper place

– in the deserts of seventh century Arabia, when even today‖s ordinary scientific

calculators do not suffice for such a task? Crucially, and above all, just how much

knowledge and bravery did he need to possess to insert seemingly random letters of such

diversity (in fact, half the letters of the Arabic alphabet, in different combinations!) at the

openings of no less than 29 chapters, simultaneously announcing – with both a humble and

unwavering confidence – that the Qur‖an was not only the word of God, but that, as such, it

was absolutely error-free (claims the Qur‖an also makes about itself); all this, without fear

that such claims might one day be falsified in the future, ultimately destroying the

credibility both of the Qur‖an and of the entire Muslim faith?

It is a feat that, even in the information age we live in today, is impossible to achieve. One

of the most brilliant features and recurring themes of the Qur‖an is that it continuously

confronts one‖s intellect, encouraging it to think, reflect and ponder, about the very

existence of mankind, the heavens and the earth, and about the Qur‖an itself. The

following proclamations are just a few examples:

―There truly are signs in the creation of the heavens and earth, and in the alternation of

night and day, for those with understanding, who remember God standing, sitting, and

lying down, who reflect on the creation of the heavens and earth: “Our Lord! You have not

created all this without purpose–You are far above that! ...‖ (Q. 3:190-191).

―We created man–We know what his soul whispers to him: We are closer to him than his

jugular vein‖ (Q. 50:16).

―Can man not see that We created him from a drop of fluid? Yet– lo and behold!– he (stands

forth) as an open opponent‖ (Q. 36:77).

177

―It is He who made the sun a shining radiance and the moon a light, determining phases for

it so that you might know the number of years and how to calculate time. God did not

create all these without a true purpose; He explains His signs to those who understand‖ (Q.

10:5).

―A Scripture whose verses are made distinct as a Qur‖an in Arabic for people who

understand‖ (Q. 41:3).

―...These are the verses of the Scripture that makes things clear––We have sent it down as

an Arabic Qur‖an so that you [people] may understand‖ (Q. 12:1-2).

―He makes the dawn break; He makes the night for rest; and He made the sun and the moon

to a precise measure. That is the design of the Almighty, the All Knowing. It is He who made

the stars, so that you can be guided by them in the dark, on land or sea: We have made the

signs clear for those who have knowledge‖ (Q. 6:96-97).

―Say [Prophet], ―Just think, if God were to cast perpetual day over you until the Day of

Resurrection, what god other than He could give you night in which to rest? Do you not

see?‖ (Q. 28:72).

―... He creates you in your mothers‖ wombs, in one stage after another, in threefold depths

of darkness67. Such is God, your Lord ...‖ (Q. 39:6).

―... It is those of His servants who have knowledge who stand in true awe of God. God is

almighty, most forgiving‖ (Q. 35:28).

―Will they not think about this Qur‖an? If it had been from anyone other than God, they

would have found much inconsistency68 in it‖ (Q. 4:82).

―It is God who brought you out of your mothers‖ wombs knowing nothing, and gave you

hearing and sight and minds, so that you might be thankful. Do they not see the birds made

to fly through the air in the sky? Nothing holds them up except God. There truly are signs

in this for those who believe‖ (Q. 16:78).

―If We had sent this Qur‖an down to a mountain, you [Prophet] would have seen it humbled

and split apart in its awe of God—We offer people such illustrations so that they may

reflect‖ (Q. 59:21).

67 These three layers of darkness are interpreted by scholars and medical professionals as the darkness of the

mother‖s abdomen, the darkness of the womb or uterus, and the darkness of the placenta. 68 Exquisitely, the word ―inconsistency‖, which in the above verse appears as ikhtilāfan ( اختالفا) , is cited one time

in the Qur‖an, in this very verse. In other words, even if one were to take this verse very literally and check if

the word ikhtilāfan is ―found much‖ in the Qur‖an, he would discover that it appears only once, even though

different forms of this word are repeated several times!

178

Appropriately, Professor James Bellamy, despite proposing some theories on the Qur‖an

and the special letters which Muslims may find hard to accept, is indeed very respectful in

confirming:

―There is one conclusion, however – perhaps the most felicitous of all – which I

cannot refrain from mentioning, and that is that our solution of the mystery of

the fawātiḥ will acquit the Prophet of the charge of deliberately attempting to

mystify his followers by engaging in the hocus-pocus of meaningless letters and

cabalistic phrases. From what we know of the Prophet, such conduct was foreign

to his character ...‖69.

A common aura has managed to associate itself with much of the propositions on the

special letters, namely that ―adequate explanation both for the meaning of the “mysterious

letters” and why they occur before the 29 sūras in which they appear has yet to appear‖70,

and that ―we end where we began; the letters are mysterious, and have so far baffled

interpretation‖71.

It must be remembered that the Qur‖an is ultimately a book of guidance. In other words,

just as the Qur‖an is no book of science, it is also, in no way, a book of numbers or

mathematics. It simply contains means to the same end; timeless signs of every kind,

surfacing at their intended hour, and befitting of the age in which they appear:

― ... We have neglected nothing in the Book ...‖ [Al-An―ām, 6:38].

― ... We have sent the Scripture down to you explaining everything ...‖ [Al-Naḥl, 16:89].

Commenting on the Qur‖an, the Prophet is reported to have once explained: ―... It (the

Qur‖an) does not become worn out by repetition, and its wonders never cease ...‖ 72.

Finally, I am hopeful and optimistic – despite firmly believing that the full mysteries of

these extraordinary letters will forever evade us – that the interpretation presented above

has answered some pressing questions surrounding them. It seems to represent a majestic

yet modest step in one of the right directions. Most importantly, it may be that a hidden

fountain of secrets has somehow been unlocked.

I end with a quote which I feel is more than appropriate to the current context:

―It began in mystery, and it will end in mystery, but what a savage and beautiful country

lies in between.‖

Diane Ackerman

69 Bellamy, ―The Mysterious Letters of the Koran‖, p. 285. 70 Keith Massey, ―Mysterious Letters‖, in The Encyclopaedia of the Qur’an, vol. 3, p. 476. 71 R. Bell and W.M. Watt, Bell’s Introduction to the Qur’an. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press (1970), p. 65. 72 Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi and Al-Dārimi.

the most curious letters of the qur'an: mystery and masterpiece

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