786 – An Islamic alternative? A guide to using 786 and should we accept it?
In the name of the most merciful and benevolent Allah. Rahmanir Rahim Bismillahir. The number 786 is known to many Muslims in the area as بسم الله الرØمن الرØيم (Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim).
Because each Arabic letter has a certain numerical value, the phrase is related to the number 786.
Instead of using the words, many Muslims will frequently utilise this numerical translation of
بسم الله الرØمن الرØيم
(Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim).
Should 786 be used in place of
بسم الله الرØمن الرØيمin Islam? Nothing in the Qur'an or an authentic Sunnah suggests that Muslims should replace Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim with a number.Once we recognise cultural phenomena can have a mistaken resemblance to something holy in Islamic terms, we can begin to shed light upon many things for our Muslim brothers and sisters.
How was the numbers system first assigned?
Each of the individual Arabic letters of the language hasbeen granted a corresponding numerical equivalent. A(Alif) = 1, B(Ba) = 2 etc... Calculations for Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim will thus result in a sum of 786. Hence, a number of Muslims today utilize and continue to write in بسم الله الرØمن الرØيم.
Any numbers cannot properly express or embody the accurate dictation or phrasing, in which one verbally speaks a Qur'anic quote or a du'a' and thus, it's essentially a form of numeric representation of words only, similar to; just as '238' is not technically communicating "Assalamu alaikum", equivalent to expressing "peace be with you". Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim cannot and is not being transmitted by use of the number 786.
Is Bismillah and 786 equivalent?
There is absolutely nothing in the holy Qur'an , or even a specific prophetic saying (hadith), exhorting the Muslims that they should start replacing Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim with the numbers 786. The Muslims, be it male, be it female, should not perceive that 786 is a valid replacement in terms of any importance, any value that 786 can intrinsically possess within it. The numbers have received it’s importance solely due to sum/addition, for other phrases and/or word permutations would likewise derive the exact same outcome, leading to the numbers meaning absolutely nothing in respect of a virtue or significance.
The Qur'an and its instruction with regards to .بسم الله الرØمن الرØيم
In clear and unequivocal terms the Noble Qur'an demonstrates exactly how prophet Sulaiman's (p.b.u.h)' letter of invitation to a group of non-believers to have faith in Islam contained the following quotation:--
'Indeed it is from Solomon and indeed it is: "In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful.'" (Surat An Naml 27:30).
Note how even the non believers knew that they should not replace and omission should not be taken in writing the Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim to prophet Sulaiman (p.b.u.h), even though there was a risk of non Muslims reading. Thus the fact that the Muslims do not wish that our بسم الله الرØمن الرØيم not be seen should never suggest that we should substitute this sacred writing with an Arabic numeral. Our prophet (p.b.u.h.) themselves also used to write Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim in all their personal correspondences. This is supported in a number of ahadeeth written by Bukhari, where the companion of our prophet (p.b.u.h) , Abu Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him) spoke about how in a letter sent to Heraclius, the letter contained, from our messenger(p.b.u.h): it was a copy of Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, in our messengers writings, in which a particular verse was to be written in correspondence with non Muslims, the letters carried the original Arabic wording.
Is it H Haram to write 786?
It may be said that writing 786 itself isn’t a case of Kufr or disbelief. Many of our brothers and sisters today see it as nothing greater than another form of the Bismillah phrase, as a modernized way of transcribing words of utterance; which as seen was done in antiquity using different linguistic mediums i.e from Arabic to Latin; but as a Muslim we are not required to believe that there is some especial spiritual value attached to numbers in our religion. There is no need to replace a truly special expression of faith; let us just ensure we do write out بسم الله الرØمن الرØيم Rahim.
The merits of writing Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
With the name of Almighty Allah, (subhanahu wa ta'ala), the expression of bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim contains a deep spiritual meaning that no number, as insignificant as any other number; whether 786,110, or any given numerical figure can possess and or carry, due to its profound importance, both linguistically as much as spiritually.
Our Muslims, therefore, must stick to the word of Qur'an, as also taught through the authentic traditions of the Prophet muhammad(sal), instead of simply adhering to a number for lack of real knowledge, just like we say 786 for "the name of Allah, most gracious and most Merciful" in written Arabic form.
This is only for Islamic knowledge informations not for hurting others.