With the letters Alif Laam Meem, Yaa Seen, Ha-Meem, etc., (in English we would say A, B, C, D) the Qur’an challenges mankind to produce a Surahat least somewhat like the Qur’an in beauty and elegance, if they doubt its authenticity. The Arabs were very proud of their language and Arabic was at its peak when the Qur'an was revealed. It is composed of the same letters that the Arabs used to express themselves most eloquently. It tells them that this Qur'an, is in your own language, and over which the Arabs took pride. Similarly, the Qur'an addresses those people who reject its Divine authority. We know the elements in the human body and yet we are at a loss when asked the secret of life. We can all have access to the elements that are found in the human body, and add a few gallons of water, which is the constitution of the human body. Yet it would be absurd to say that a human being is the same as the dust. Clay and dust are composed of the same fundamental elements. The human body is composed of various fundamental elements that are found in nature. Of all the explanations given by various scholars, the one which is authentic and supported by Tafsir of Ibne-Kathir, Zamakshari and Ibne-Taiymiyah is the following: Several volumes have been written on the significance of these abbreviations.ģ. V. These letters were used to attract the attention of the Prophet (and later his audience). Iv. These letters have some numerical significance as the Semitic letters also have numerical values. Iii. These letters were used for rhyming. Ii. These letters are not abbreviations but symbols and names of Allah or something else. These letters might be abbreviations for certain sentences and words for instance, Alif Laam Meem means Ana-Alahu -a'Laam or Nun meaning Noor (light), etc. There have been a variety of explanations offered by Muslim scholars through the ages. The meaning and purpose of these letters is uncertain. Surah Al-Shura chapter 42 has a double combination of abbreviated letters one set of two letters followed by one set of three letters. Surah Al-Shura chapter 42 begins with Ha Meem Ayn Seen Qaf Surah Maryam chapter 19 begins with Kaf Ha Ya Ayn Sad Combination of five letters occurs twice: Surah Al Rad chapter 13: Alif Laam Meem RaĮ. Surah Aaraf chapter 7: Alif Laam Meem Sad Combination of four letters occurs twice:

Ha Meem occurs in seven consecutive Surahs from Surah 40 to Surah 46:Ĭ. There are three combinations of three letters each occurring in 13 surahs.ĭ. Surah Al Naml starting with chapter 27 has Ta Seen The combination of two letters occurs in 10 surahs: Three surahs are pre-fixed with only one letter: These abbreviated letters sometimes occur alone, sometimes in a combination of two letters and sometimes in a combination of three, four or five letters.Ī. chapters in the Glorious Qur’an that have the abbreviated letters prefixed to them.

There are 29 letters in the Arabic Alphabet (if hamza and alif are considered as two letters) and there are 29 surahs i.e. Why do certain Surahs in the Qur’an begin with Alif Laam Meem, ‘Haa Meem, Yaa Seen and what is the significance of such terms or phrases?Īlif Laam Meem, Yaseen, Ha-meem, etc. Most Common Questions asked by Non-Muslims who have some knowledge of Islam

Alif lam mim zalikal kitabu la rayba