786 – What does it mean?

Al-Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil ‘Aalameen was Salatu was
Salaamu ‘alaa Ashrafil Anbiyaa’e wal Mursaleen. 
 
Dedicated to those who seek the Truth  
   for the sake of the Truth. 
“Wa sharrul Umoori Muhdathaatuhaa, 
Wa kulla Bid’atin dhaialah, wa kulla dhalatin fin-naar” 
Al-Hadith (Sahih Muslim). 
 
Translation of the above Hadith: 
“Every innovation is a misguidance and every 
misguidance goes to the fire of Jahannum”.
Wa Ba’d:
Beloved Ummatul Muslimeen!  “786” – Does it stand for ‘Bismillah-hir Rahman-nir Raheem’?  Can “786” replace the Holy Name of Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala? And the answer is: Most certainly not! When it is asked: What is the wisdom behind this? we understand the question: What is its purpose? What secrets are being conveyed that we do not know of? Then, wisdom can occur only when something is performed and a benefit is acquired from it.  Wisdom is knowledge and acting on that knowledge.  Wisdom is the most significant basis in all the fields including conveying the truth to people. The command of the Most Holy and Noble Qur’an makes it very clear in verse 125 of Suratul Al Nahl (The Bee):
“Invite (all) to the Way of thy Rabb with wisdom
and beautiful preaching: And argue with them in ways
that are best and most gracious: for Allah knows best, who have strayed
from His Path, and who receive guidance.”
I now ask myself the hundred million dollar question:  Why do certain Muslims continue using the number 786 instead of the phrase “Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim” when writing letters or printing Islamic literature? There is no mention that this was ever allowed during the time of the Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam or at any time in Islamic history. 786 being used by people who are misguided as the numerical representation of “Bismillah-hir Rahmaan-nir Raheem” should be informed that it has no religious or Islamic significance whatsoever.
The numerals 786 or any other numerals does not represents “Bismillah-hir Rahman-nir Raheem” or any other Surah of the Most Noble and Holy Qur’an and is not a Sunnah either. Almighty Allah Rabbul Ala’meen informs us very clearly in verse 2 of Surahtul Yusuf that the Most Holy and Noble Qur’an means: Something (1) to be read, or (2) to be recited, or (3) to be proclaimed. It may apply to a verse, or a Surah, or to the entire Book of Revelation.


“Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic 
Qur’an in order that you may learn wisdom”.


 Again in the conclusion of verse 103 of Surahtul Al-Nahl,
Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala informs us:


“……….while this is Arabic, pure and clear.”


Even the most eloquent Arabic speaking Arab could not, and cannot produce anything of the eloquence, width, and depth of the Glorious Qur’anic teaching, as is evident from every verse of this Heavenly revealed Book from Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala. In part of verse 44 of Surahtul Fussilat we are reminded with words of wisdom that it was most natural and reasonable that the Messenger being Arab, the Message should be in his own language, that he might explain it in every detail, with the greatest power and eloquence. Even though it was to be for the whole world, its initial exposition was thus to be in Arabic. But if people had no faith and were spiritually deaf or blind, it would not matter in what language it came.


“Had We sent this as a Qur’an (in a language) 
other than Arabic, they would have said: “Why
are not its verses explained in detail?
What! (a Book) not in Arabic?
And (a Messenger) an Arab?
 
Say: It is a Guide and a healing to those
who believe not, there is a deafness in their ears,
and a blindness in their (eyes):
They are (as it were) being called
from a place far distant!”


It was most natural and reasonable that the Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam being Arab, the Message should be in his own tongue, that he might explain it in great detail, with the greatest power and eloquence. We are instructed to recite the Most Holy and Noble Qur’an in the manner as prescribed to us in verse 106 of Surahtul Al Isra:

“(It is) a Qur’an which We have divided 
(into parts from time to time), in order that
thou might recite it to men at intervals:
We have revealed it by stages.”


Again Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala reminds us in part of verse 20 of Surahtul Al Muzzammil:

“..Read you, therefore, as much of the 
Qur’an as may be easy (for you).
And establish regular prayer and give charity.
and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan and whatever good
you sent forth for your souls, you shall


My Beloved brothers and sisters, the verses mentioned above makes things very clear to us to the extent that none of us need to be brain surgeons or rocket scientists to understand that the Most Holy and Noble Qur’an was revealed in the Arabic language over fourteen centuries ago and remains a spoken language to this day and will remain so till the Day of Kiyamah.  This old game of numbers was practiced by the ancient Egyptians, as did many other civilizations. Islam came to ELIMINATE ALL such superstitions, mysteries and numerological mumbo-jumbo. However, Muslims are still enslaved to the numbers game, and think that 786 represents Bismillah-hir Rahman-nir Raheem

The innovation of writing ‘786’ replacing Bismillah-hir Rahman-nir Raheem has been adopted for a very long time and there are  many Muslims who inadvertently  continue to indulge in this un-Islamic practice. Apart from the common folk, certain people also heed no attention towards it and to avoid disrespect to the Holy Words – they use it on their letter-heads, correspondence and documents. They adopt it as a ‘correct’ and ‘better’ way to invite Almighty Allah’s blessings. This trend has continued and there are misguided Muslims who have also started replacing the Holy Words by this number on their houses, car license plates, offices, and part of their telephone number etc., etc.,

Unfortunately, this tendency will continue until people come to their senses and extricate themselves from the tentacles of such gross ignorance. Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala has made it crystal clear that the Most Holy and Glorious Qur’an was revealed in Arabic. If we study the Most Noble Qur’an, we see that it commences with the holy words of “Bismillah-hir Rahman-nir Raheem” in a letter from Nabee Sulaiman Alayhis Salaam to the Queen of Sheeba – Bilqis – who was an infidel at that time.

O Ummatul Muslimeen! Even our Beloved Nabee Muhammad Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam  in all of his letters to different heads of states and governments, used Bismillah-hir Rahman-nir Raheem at the very beginning.  Whosoever uses 786 with the intention to obtaining Almighty Allah’s blessings, is a misguided person and any attempt to justify it, is steeped in gross ignorance and Bidah. Islam’s foundation is laid on the belief in Tawhid  – the Oneness of Almighty Allah Rabbul Ala’meen. If we associate anyone with Almighty Allah’s Exalted names orally or practically, we would be committing infidelity which is an unpardonable sin.

The Most Noble Qur’an warns us that those who find a rival against our Most Glorious Creator and Sustainer will not enter Jannah, and his or her abode is reserved in Jahannum. Calling someone by a nick name is also a sin. Almighty Allah Rabbul Ala’meen Most Exalted says: “Don’t call one another by nick names.” If Almighty Allah Tabaraka Wata’ala prohibits the use of nicknames for our fellow human beings, how can He allow the use of such numbers for His Most Holy and Glorious Qur’an?

O you who believe! When we commence eating do we say 786? Do we begin our Tawaf around the Baitullah by saying 786? Do we utter 786 before starting our Wudhu our Salaat or when we open up the Holy Qur’an? Do we utter 786 before we slaughter an animal or do we begin any work by saying 786? The answers to these questions is a resounding NO!  Why then do we continue to indulge in such un-Islamic practices?  Are Muslims not commanded to begin any work with the name of Almighty Allah Who is Most Exalted and Merciful?

 
Like knowledge, ignorance also has various forms and levels. There is a form of ignorance which is a natural prelude to knowledge, for all knowledge is preceded by ignorance. This kind of ignorance though certainly a defect is not by itself a vice, for one who does not know is not generally regarded as blameworthy if his or her circumstances justify his or her failure to know. But under certain circumstances whenever the mere potential for knowledge exists, one’s failure to acquire knowledge may be considered unjustifiable.

May Almighty Allah Most Merciful guide us to those things with which He is pleased with, and may He in His Infinite Mercy make us abhor the things that are totally wrong. May Almighty Allah make us mindful concerning the signs that have been made prevalent around us at this time. Signs within our very selves, signs that are within our households, signs that are all around us. 

 
These are the signs which Almighty Allah makes very clear that we can only ignore them, refuse them, as a result of the hardness of our hearts. When we can perceive what the hardness of our hearts is producing in our lives, when we recognize our errors we shall Insha’Allah most certainly see the Signs. May Almighty Allah Most Merciful and Exalted give us the strength to turn from those things which are unnatural and ungodly.

And Almighty Allah knows best.

And Peace be upon those who follow the Guidance.

The Truth is from Almighty Allah. The errors are all mine and
I stand to be corrected.

Baarak Allaahu Feekum wa-sal-Allaahu wa-Sallam ‘alaa
Nabiyyinaa Muhammad Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam.

 
Was Salamualaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu
Abdul Hamid Lachporia
 
Please be advised that you are more that welcomed to use and share
my Khutbah’s for propagational purposes without my prior consent. 

 
جَزَاكُمُ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا