What is ‘Ilam AL-Jafr’?

The Meaning of the Word “Jafr”

In the Arabic language, the word “Jafr” refers to the parchment or scroll upon which hidden knowledge and divinely inspired information is inscribed. According to tradition:
It was the scroll that was in the possession of Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), in which the Holy Prophet ﷺ taught him specific esoteric sciences.
In various narrations, “al-Jami‘ah”, “Mushaf Fatimah”, and “al-Jafr” are regarded as among the sacred scriptures that were in the custody of the Imams from Ahl al-Bayt.

Categories of ‘Ilm al-Jafr’

‘Ilm al-Jafr’ is generally divided into two fundamental categories:

▪ Jafr al-Abyad (The White Jafr):
This includes jurisprudence, spiritual sciences, knowledge of interpretation (ta’wil), and unseen decrees.

▪ Jafr al-Aswad (The Black Jafr):
This includes matters of warfare, tribulations, names of kings, and political prophecies.

Note:
According to the Ahl al-Sunnah, the practice or use of Jafr al-Aswad (The Black Jafr) is prohibited.

What is the Science of Letters/Numbers (ʿIlm al-Ḥurūf / ʿIlm al-Aʿdād)?

This is the science in which each Arabic letter is assigned a numerical value, and through these values, various spiritual or mathematical outcomes are derived.

Example:

Letter	Number (Abjad Value)
Alif (ا)	1
Bāʾ (ب)	2
Jīm (ج)	3
Dāl (د)	4

This science is also known as ʿIlm al-Abjad or ʿIlm al-Aʿdād (The Science of Numbers).

The Relationship Between ‘Ilm al-Jafr and ‘Ilm al-Ḥurūf / Aʿdād

Now let us turn to the main question: what is the relationship between ‘Ilm al-Jafr and ‘Ilm al-Ḥurūf / Aʿdād (also called ‘Ilm al-Abjad)?

▪ Fundamental Tools
To understand, write, and analyze ‘Ilm al-Jafr, the sciences of letters and numbers are used as foundational tools.
When deriving an esoteric meaning from a name or verse in ‘Ilm al-Jafr, the letters are first converted into their numerical values.
This numerical total is then processed through specific principles to extract a result.

▪ Analysis of Spiritual Effects
Some Sufi masters say that every letter has a spiritual influence, and when used in its numerical form, that influence is activated.
This is why the practice of reciting certain verses, supplications, or Divine Names (Asmāʾ al-Ḥusnā) a specific number of times is structured on this foundation.

▪ Use in Talismans and Amulets
The talismans (nuqūsh) or amulets used in ‘Ilm al-Jafr are written by placing letters in squares according to their numerical order.
All these calculations are based on the principles of ‘Ilm al-Abjad.

▪ Example: The Name “Yā Laṭīf” (يَالَطِيف)

Letter	Numerical Value
Yāʾ (ي)	10
Alif (ا)	1
Lām (ل)	30
Ṭāʾ (ط)	9
Yāʾ (ي)	10
Fāʾ (ف)	80
Total = 140

Now, this number (140) is used in nuqūsh (spiritual diagrams), recitations, or spiritual practices (ʿamalāt) for various intended purposes.

The Sufi Perspective

According to many Sufi masters, the outward meaning of letters is considered secondary, while their inner (esoteric) effect holds greater significance.
For example, Shaykh Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi (RA), Imam al-Ghazali (RA), and Shah Waliullah (RA) used this science for inner spiritual insights and mystical journeying (sulūk), not for worldly predictions.

The Boundaries Set by Islamic Law

If the use of ‘Ilm al-Jafr and ‘Ilm al-Aʿdād remains confined solely to spiritual contemplation, supplication (du‘āʾ), remembrance (dhikr), or talismanic protection (taʿwīdh), and there is no element of claiming knowledge of the unseen or practicing magic, then many Sunni scholars consider it permissible (jāʾiz) or at least allowable (mubāḥ).
However:
If someone uses these sciences to predict the future, alter someone’s destiny, or make claims beyond the limits of Shari‘ah, then it falls into the realm of soothsaying (kāhinī), astrology (nujūm), or magic (siḥr)—all of which are deemed prohibited (ḥarām).

Use of Divine Names (Asmāʾ al-Ḥusnā) with Specific Numbers and Talismans

In ‘Ilm al-Jafr and ‘Ilm al-Aʿdād, specific numerical values and talismanic diagrams (nuqūsh) are used in association with the Divine Names (Asmāʾ al-Ḥusnā). These nuqūsh are typically employed in amulets, invocations (wazāʾif), or spiritual procedures (ʿamalāt).

Abjad Kabīr (Major Abjad) Values of Divine Names

Divine Name	Numerical Value (Abjad Kabīr)	Spiritual Effect
Yā Laṭīf (يَا لَطِيف)	129	Softening of hardships, release from imprisonment, acceptance of prayers.
Yā Salām (يَا سَلَام)	131	Mental peace, inner tranquility, treatment for psychological distress.
Yā Ghanī (يَا غَنِي)	1100	Expansion in sustenance, resolution of financial problems.
Yā Fattaḥ (يَا فَتَّاح)	489	Opening of closed paths, success, and opportunities.

Example: The Talisman of “Yā Laṭīf” (Numerical Value = 129)

A sample 3×3 Magic Square (Nuqsh):

CopyEdit

43   45   41 

44   42   43 

42   43   44 

Each row/column/diagonal totals to 129.

Writing this nuqsh in a state of ritual purity and either keeping it with oneself or dissolving it in water and drinking it is believed to help with spiritual relief, acceptance of prayers, and release from distress and imprisonment.

Renowned Scholars Who Researched ‘Ilm al-Jafr and Their Works

• “Risālah fī al-Jafr” – by Imām Ahmad Raza Barelvi
• “Baḥr al-Wuqūf fī ʿIlm al-Ḥurūf” – by Manṣūr ibn ʿArabī
• “Zāʾirjāt wa Ashraf al-Murabbaʿāt” – attributed to Imām al-Ghazālī (RA)
• “Qurṣ al-Shams fī Bayān al-Ḥurūf” – by Hazrat ʿUmar ibn al-Fāris al-Ḥawī (RA)
• “Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥurūf” – by ʿAbdullāh al-Qurṭubī (RA)
• “Makhzan al-Ḥurūf” – by Naṣīr al-Dīn Suyūṭī (RA)

A Saying of Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq (AS)

Imam Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq (peace be upon him) is reported to have said that the contents of the Kitāb al-Jafr were inscribed in the form of Abjad letters.
Imam Ḥasan al-Mujtabā (AS) recited these letters from Alif, Bāʾ, Sīn, Lām, up to the last letter, and explained that from each letter, a further derivation (istikhraaj) is drawn.
He added that the portion of ʿIlm al-Jafr that has reached the people is only related to those two letters found in this book.
(Reference: Kitāb al-Ikhtiṣāṣ)

This informative and spiritual blog is the result of the thoughtful work and arrangement by Hazrat Pir Abu Nauman Rizvi Saifi (may Allah preserve him), who continues to guide the Muslim Ummah with sincerity and devotion in matters of faith and spirituality.