The number 786 is associated with the Islamic phrase "Bismillah" by assigning numerical values to the Arabic letters in the phrase and then summing those values, resulting in the total of 786.
Understanding the Abjad System
The basis for this association lies in the Abjad system, which assigns numerical values to the letters of the Arabic alphabet. This system is similar to Roman numerals, where each letter also has a corresponding numerical value.
The Numerical Breakdown of "Bismillah"
Here's a breakdown of how "Bismillah" translates to 786 using the Abjad system:
| Arabic Letter | Numerical Value |
|---|---|
| ب (Ba) | 2 |
| س (Seen) | 60 |
| م (Meem) | 40 |
| ا (Alif) | 1 |
| ل (Lam) | 30 |
| ل (Lam) | 30 |
| ه (Ha) | 5 |
| ا (Alif) | 1 |
| ل (Lam) | 30 |
| ر (Ra) | 200 |
| ح (Ha) | 8 |
| م (Meem) | 40 |
| ن (Noon) | 50 |
| Total | 786 |
- The phrase "Bismillah" is written as "بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم" in its full form. However, the practice primarily uses the shortened form "بسم الله".
- The summation of these numerical values equals 786, which is how it becomes associated with the religious phrase.
Cultural Significance
This association is particularly common among Muslims in the Indian subcontinent, with 786 often seen as a symbolic representation of "Bismillah." This number is considered auspicious and often appears in movies, on car number plates, and on other items of personal significance.
- Indian Muslims use this numeric representation of "Bismillah" due to this practice of summing the letters.
