Abjad for ‘Ha’’

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

Arabic numerology is known as abjad.  This article is about the spiritual meaning of the letter, Ha’. 

The Arabic letter “Ha” is almost equivalent to the letter “H” in the English alphabet.  It is the sixth letter in the Arabic character set.  “Ha” in abjad has the value of 8.  This in reference to the eight angels who carry the Throne on the Day of Judgement. 

The letter “Ha” is one of the letters of muqatha’at.  “Ha”, along with the letter “Mim”, is used as the opening letter of seven chapters in the Qur’an as “Ha Mim”.  The letter “Ha” is also the 11^th and 17^th letter in the Basmallah.  The letter “Ha” is for hamd, praise.  al-Hamd is for Allah (s.w.t.), the Rabb of the Worlds.  These are the opening words of Surah al-Fatihah in the Qur’an.  They are the most repeated words.  In other words, “The Praise is for Allah” is repeated in every rak’ah of prayer and in everyday conversation among Muslims. 

The word “harf” meaning “letter” also starts with “Ha”. It is the huruf that makes words.  Words are made by arranging the letters in a certain way, so that they acquire meaning.  In the Qur’an, the Arabic letters are arranged in such a way that they bring the Power of Allah (s.w.t.) into action. 

سُوۡرَةُ بنیٓ اسرآئیل / الإسرَاء

قُل لَّٮِٕنِ ٱجۡتَمَعَتِ ٱلۡإِنسُ وَٱلۡجِنُّ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَأۡتُواْ بِمِثۡلِ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانِ لَا يَأۡتُونَ بِمِثۡلِهِۦ وَلَوۡ كَانَ بَعۡضُہُمۡ لِبَعۡضٍ۬ ظَهِيرً۬ا (٨٨) 

Say: “If the whole of mankind and jinn were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support.” (Surah al-Isra’:88) 

This is the 17^th chapter.  1 + 7 = 8.  The verse number, 88, hints at the “Ha”.  It is the arrangement of the Arabic letters that are recognised by the angels who come to assist mankind as Allah (s.w.t.) Wills.  Whatever mankind and jinn produce together will not have the power of the Qur’an.  Angels will not recognise the forgery as they recognise the Word of Allah (s.w.t.).  The arrangement and order of the Arabic letters in the Qur’an is important.  This is why the Qur’an must be recited in Arabic.  Reciting the Qur’an or engaging in dzikr is being engaged in the hamd, praise, of Allah (s.w.t.). 

Hamd is praising to Allah (s.w.t.), remembering Allah (s.w.t.).  To remember Allah (s.w.t.) is to call Him often by any of His Names Mentioned in the Qur’an.  While many would say there are 99 Names of Allah (s.w.t.) Mentioned in the Qur’an, in fact, there are more than 99 Names.  These 99 Names are referred to as Asma’ al-Husna, The Most Beautiful Names. 

Each harf has its own quality.  Each letter has its own angel assigned by Allah (s.w.t.).  Each angel has rows and rows of angels under its command.  All these angels come under the command of the angel, Mala’ikat al-Ijabirun, who is assigned to a particular Ism, Name of Allah (s.w.t.).  Each and every Ism has its own benefits.