أعوذبِاللَّـهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
[I Seek refuge in ALLAH from Shaitan - the accursed one]
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
[In The Name of ALLAH, The MOST GRACIOUS - THE MOST MERCIFUL]
The Discussion of Individual Letters
The individual letters in the beginning of some Surahs are among those things whose knowledge Allah has kept only for Himself. This was reported by Abu Bakr,`Umar, `Uthman, `Ali and Ibn Mas`ud. It was said that these letters are the names of some of the Surahs. It was also said that they are the beginnings that Allah chose to start the Surahs of the Qur'an with. Khasif stated that Mujahid said, "The beginnings of the Surahs such as Qaf, Sad, Ta Sin Mim and Alif Lam Ra, are just some letters of the alphabet." Some linguists also stated that they are letters of the Alphabet and that Allah simply did not cite the entire alphabet of twenty-eight letters. For instance, they said, one might say, "My son recites Alif, Ba, Ta, Tha..." he means the entire alphabet although he stops before mentioning the rest of it. This opinion was mentioned by Ibn Jarir.
The Letters at the Beginning of Surahs
If one removes the repetitive letters, then the number of letters mentioned at the beginning of the Surahs is fourteen: Alif, Lam, Mim, Sad, Ra, Kaf, Ha, Ya, `Ayn, Ta, Sin, Ha, Qaf, Nun.
So glorious is He Who made everything subtly reflect His wisdom.
Moreover, the scholars said, "There is no doubt that Allah did not reveal these letters for jest and play." Some ignorant people said that some of the Qur'an does not mean anything, (meaning, such as these letters) thus committing a major mistake. On the contrary, these letters carry a specific meaning. Further, if we find an authentic narration leading to the Prophet that explains these letters, we will embrace the Prophet's statement. Otherwise, we will stop where were made to stop and will proclaim,
The scholars did not agree on one opinion or explanation regarding this subject. Therefore, whoever thinks that one scholar's opinion is correct, he is obliged to follow it, otherwise it is better to refrain from making any judgement on this matter. Allah knows best.
These Letters testify to the Miraculous Qur'an
The wisdom behind mentioning these letters in the beginning of the Surahs, regardless of the exact meanings of these letters, is that they testify to the miracle of the Qur'an. Indeed, the servants (creation) are unable to produce something like the Qur'an, although it is comrised of the same letters with which they speak to each other.1 Az-Zamakhshari said that these letters, "Were not all mentioned once in the beginning of the Qur'an. Rather, they were repeated so that the challenge (against the creation) is more daring. Similarly, several stories were mentioned repeatedly in the Qur'an, and also the challenge was repeated in various areas (i.e., to produce something like the Qur'an). Sometimes, one letter at a time was mentioned, such as Sad, Nun and Qaf. Sometimes two letters were mentioned, such as
![]() |
Ha Mim (Chapter 44 Verse 1) |
Sometimes, three letters were mentioned, such as,
![]() |
Alif Lam Mim (Chapter 2 Verse 1) |
and four letters such as,
![]() |
Alif Lam Mim Ra (Chapter 13 Verse 1) |
and
![]() |
Alif Lam Mim Sad (Chapter 7 Verse 1) |
Sometimes, five letters were mentioned, such as,
![]() |
Kaf Ha Ya `Ayn Sad (Chapter 19 Verse 1) |
![]() |
Ha Mim. `Ayn Sin Qaf (Chapter 42 Verses 1-2) |
This is because the words that are used in speech are usually comprised of one, two, three, four, or five letters."
Every Surah that begins with these letters demonstrates the Qur'an's miracle and magnificence, and this fact is known by those well-versed in such matters. The count of these Surahs is twenty-nine. For instance, Allah said,
![]() |
(Alif Lam Mim) This is the book (the Qur'an), wherein there is no doubt (Chapter 2 Verses 1-2) |
![]() |
Alif Lam Sad. (This is the) Book (the Qur'an) sent down unto you (O Muhammad), so let not your breast be narrow therefrom (Chapter 7 Verses 1-2) |
Also Allah said,
![]() |
Ha Mim. `Ain Sin Qaf. Likewise Allah, the Almighty, the Wise sends revelation to you (O Muhammad) as (He sent revelation to) those before you (Chapter 42 Verses 1-3) |
There are several other Ayat that testify to what we have mentioned above, and Allah knows best.
Whatever good comes from this post is from Allah alone and any mistakes therein are mine - if found, please inform, ASAP, Insha Allah.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Footnotes:
1.This opinion was mentioned by Ar-Razi in his Tafsir who related it to Al-Mubarrid and several other scholars. Al-Qurtubi also related this opinion to Al-Farra' and Qutrub. Az-Zamakhshari agreed with this opinion in his book, Al-Kashshaf.In addit ion, the Imam and scholar Abu Al-`Abbas Ibn Taymiyyah and our Shaykh Al-Haf iz Abu Al-Haj j aj Al-Mizzi agreed with this opinion. Al-Mizzi told me that it is also the opinion of Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah.
Pretty nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to
ReplyDeletesay that I've really enjoyed browsing your weblog posts. In any case I'll be subscribing in your feed and I am hoping you write once more very soon!
Also visit my blog :: http://www.propertywide.co.uk/rent/search/falkland-fife/flat
Hi, all is going fine here and ofcourse every one is sharing information, that's truly fine, keep up writing.
ReplyDeleteHere is my web page - Rent Property macclesfield (cheshire)
I rarely comment, but i did some searching and wound up here "Surat Al-Baqarah - Verse 1".
ReplyDeleteAnd I actually do have a couple of questions for you if you usually do
not mind. Could it be just me or does it look like some
of these comments look like written by brain dead visitors?
:-P And, if you are writing at other online social sites, I
would like to keep up with anything new you have to post.
Would you list of the complete urls of all your public sites like your
linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
Visit my homepage - irepdleague.ning.com
This is a topic that is close to my heart..
ReplyDelete. Best wishes! Exactly where are your contact details though?
Check out my web-site - Coupons to make your buying easier
I'm extremely pleased to find this great site. I need to to thank you for your time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely savored every bit of it and i also have you bookmarked to see new stuff on your website.
ReplyDeleteHere is my blog: novoline app f�roid download
When I originally commented I clicked the "Notify me when new comments are added" checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several
ReplyDeletee-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service?
Thank you!
Here is my web page :: book of ra download chip Online
Have you ever considered about including a little bit
ReplyDeletemore than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all.
Nevertheless just imagine if you added some great graphics or video clips to
give your posts more, "pop"! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this site could undeniably be one of the greatest in its
field. Good blog!
My webpage: book of ra free download chip
Its like you learn my mind! You appear to know a lot
ReplyDeleteapproximately this, such as you wrote the e book in it or something.
I feel that you can do with a few % to drive the message house a bit, but other than that, this is wonderful blog.
An excellent read. I'll certainly be back.
Feel free to surf to my blog post: book of ra kostenlos spielen deutsch
Yes! Finally someone writes about bottle.
ReplyDeleteMy web page :: source
I'm not sure where you're getting your info, but great topic.
ReplyDeleteI needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this information for my mission.
Here is my weblog ... book of rah online
Alif Lam Mim means "Mahamati Prannath"
ReplyDeletehttp://sanandhonline.blogspot.com/2013/05/alif-lam-mim-unlocked-part-i.html
Masha Allah, very nice post
ReplyDeleteSubhanALLAH i love this post.
ReplyDeleteMasahAllah nice blog keep it up
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work...
ReplyDeleteThis is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information. Keep it up. Keep blogging. Looking to reading your next post. Learn Quran online
ReplyDeleteGuardians face numerous issues in finding a respectable educator close to the house. This eventually prompts them quitting any pretense of looking, and the child never comes to comprehend the upright information.
ReplyDeletenoorani qaida
I just found this blog and have high hopes for it to continue. Keep up the great work, its hard to find good ones. I have added to my favorites. Thank You. download quran app
ReplyDeleteJazakom Allah khayra
ReplyDeleteJazakom Allah khayra
ReplyDeletejazakallah
ReplyDelete