Significance of 786??

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

In the above verse we are told that the word Qur’an means: Something [1] to be read, or [2] recited, or [3] proclaimed. It may apply to a verse, or a Surah, or to the entire divine Book of Revelation. Again in the conclusion of verse 103 of Surah Al-Nahl, Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala tells us:

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

Even the most eloquent 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 Surah Fussilat we are reminded with words of wisdom:

“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? ”

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. Even though it was to be for the entire 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. We are instructed to recite the Most Holy and Noble Qur’an in the manner as prescribed to us in verse 106 of Surah 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.”

Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala informs us in part of verse 20 of Surah Al Muzzammil:

“… Read you, therefore, as much of the Qur’an as may be easy (for you).”

Beloved brothers and sisters, the verses mentioned above makes things very clear to us to the extend 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 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, 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 Muslims 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?

May Almighty Allah Most Merciful guide us to those things with which He is pleased, 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.

The Truth is from Almighty Allah
The errors and mistakes are mine.

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

by Sheikh Abdul Hamid
Courtesy: AL-ISLAAH PUBLICATIONS