Jeem – The Secrets and Realities of the Arabic Letter Jeem
A’uzu Billahi Minash Shaitanir Rajeem
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the rejected one
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
All praise is for Allah. Darood (Blessings) and Salaam (Peace) on Muhammad, his Family, and his Companions.
THE LETTER JEEM ج
The Arabic letter Jeem (ج) is equivalent to the letter ‘J’ in the English alphabet. It is the fifth letter in the Arabic character set. Jeem (ج) in Arabic numerology which is known as Abjad, has the value of 3. This article is about the spiritual meaning of the letter Jeem (ج).
If we turn to the Quran, we find that there are exactly three chapters that have names starting with the letter Jeem (ج) These three chapters are:
1 Chapter 45 – Al Jaasiyat – 37 verses
2 Chapter 62 – Al Jumaa – 11 verses
3 Chapter 72 – Al Jinn – 28 verses
The first chapter with its name starting with the Letter Jeem (ج) is Al Jaasiyat. Which stands for crouching, bowing. Bowing to Allah our Rabb. The name Jaasiyat comes from:
And you will see each nation crouching, each nation summoned to its record.
(And they will be told): This day you are to be repaid what you used to do.
[Quran: Al Jaasiyat Chapter 45:28]{ 45=9 verse 28 owner of Huroof sir of Meem}
First of all we must die. And each one of us will die without a doubt. When a person dies, we the Muslims have to pray for the deceased. The funeral prayer is called Janazah.
JANAZAH – FUNERAL PRAYER
When a Muslim passes away, after the formalities of washing the body, the relatives, friends and acquaintances, gather for the Janazah (funeral) prayer. The word Janazah starts with the letter Jeem (ج) and it involves three things which is the numerical value of the letter Jeem (ج).
The Janazah (funeral) prayer is a four Takbir (Allahu Akbar – Allah is Great) Salah (prayer).
First of all, why is Takbir said four times ?
Remember what was mentioned in the Book on the Letter Ba (ب)? We are created from 4 elements.
- These are Earth, Fire, Water and Air (Spirit). Hence the 4 Takbir are required to remind the deceased that he/she is made of 4 elements.
The Christians say “Earth to Earth, Dust to Dust…”, in Islam, the equivalent could be: “Earth to Earth, Fire to Fire, Water to Water and Spirit to Spirit.” Instead we say the Takbir 4 times.
Notice here, when a child is born, the Azan (Call to Prayer) is said in the ears of the new born. The first words that the new born hears is the Takbir repeated 4 times.
Likewise when we die, the last thing we hear is the Takbir repeated 4 times. We have completed our physical journey above the earth at death for the time being until the Day of Resurrection.
We have completed one complete circle or ‘orbit’. That is all we are allowed unlike the earth which is allowed numerous orbits. Each one of us completes this ‘orbit’ in their own life spans. And that life span is made of different number of years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes and seconds. That is the one side of the Janazah. The other side of Janazah has 3 parts.
THE OTHER 3 PARTS OF THE JANAZAH
There are three things involved in the Janazah prayer. This is equivalent to numerical value of the Letter Jeem (ج).
After the Niyah (intention) for prayer, the Imam pronounces first Takbir (Allahu Akbar).
After the first Takbir there is the recitation of Sana (Glorification and Praise) for Allah.
After the second Takbir, Darood (Blessings) are sent upon Muhammad ﷺ.
After the third Takbir, Dua Janazah (funeral prayer) is recited. The Dua Janazah (funeral prayer) is basically asking Allah to forgive everyone, especially the deceased. After the fourth Takbir, we say the Salaam (Peace) and the prayer is complete. The deceased is then buried.
Overall, three things are required for the deceased.
1 Washing the body.
2 Saying Janazah prayer.
3 Burying the body.
Janazah is one form of gathering. The other sort of gathering is the Jumaa.
JUMAA – GATHERING
The other form of gathering is the Jumaa. This is the Friday prayer. And the day which is Friday is also called Jumaa based on the gathering. There is a subtlety here with chapter number !
Al Jaasiyat is Chapter number 45. The chapter number is perfectly divisible by 3 the numerical value of the Letter Jeem (ج).
45 divided by 3 = 15
The chapter number for Jumaa (62) cannot be divided by 3 without leaving a remainder. If we reduce the chapter number to single digit we get (6 + 2 = ) 8.
The Letter with the numerical value = 8 is the Letter Ha (ح) for Hamd.
Why is the Chapter number for Jumaa (62) not perfectly divisible by 3 ? Why does it reduce to 8 for Ha (ح) ? The first verse of Chapter Jumaa answers that question.
Whatever is in the heavens and on earth does declare the Praises and Glory of Al Malik il Quddus il Azeez il Hakeem (Allah the Sovereign the Holy One the Exalted in Might the Wise).
[Quran: Al Jumaa Chapter 62:1]
Allah has chosen the day of Jumaa (Friday) for the Muslims. It is the day of collective Praise for Allah. It is the day of Gathering. Notice that the Chapter number when divided by 3:
62 divided by 3 = 20 remainder 2.
- Normally afternoon prayer ZuhrFard is 4 Rakah prayer.
- But on Jumaa (Friday) the Fard Prayer is reduced to 2 Rakah.
- No wonder the chapter number for Jumaa has deliberately been placed as 62.
-
It was stated at the start of this section that 62 reduces to 8 for Hamd. - The difference between Ha (ح) and Jeem (ج) is one dot.
And speaking of dots, there is another creation about which Allah has informed us in the Quran. They are the Jinn.
JINN – SPIRITS
The third and final chapter named with the initial Letter Jeem (ج) is Jinn Chapter 72. Again this chapter number is perfectly divisible by 3
72 divided by 3 = 24. No remainder.
A lot has been written about Jinn by other people. We must understand that the majority of the Jinn are evil except for those who have accepted the Guidance of Allah from the Quran and entered Islam. It would suffice to quote a few verses from the Quran.
14 He created man of clay like the potter’s,
15 And the Jinn did He create of smokeless fire.
[Quran: Ar Rahman Chapter 55:14-15]
You assembly of the jinn and humankind! Did there not come to you messengers of your own who recounted to you My tokens and warned you of the meeting of this your Day? They will say: We testify against ourselves. And the life of the world beguiled them. And they testify against themselves that they were disbelievers.
[Quran: Al Anaam Chapter 6:130]
In the day when He will gather them together (He will say): You assembly of the jinn! Many of humankind did you seduce. And their adherents among humankind will say: Our Lord! We enjoyed one another, but now we have arrived at the appointed term which You appointed for us. He will say: Fire is your home. Abide therein for ever, save him whom Allah wills (to deliver). Your Lord is Wise, Aware. [Quran: Al Anaam Chapter 6:128]
SAYYIDINA JIBREEL (as)
And speaking of Spirits…Muhammad ﷺ used to retire to the Cave Hira for contemplation. And then one day … … suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet replied, “I do not know how to read.”
The Prophet added, “The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’ Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, ‘I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?’ Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, ‘Read in the name of your Rabb (Lord), who has created (all that exists) has created man from a clot. Read! And your Rabb (Lord) is the Most Generous.” [Sahih Bukhari] [hds]
What was the name of the angel ? Jibreel (as). Jibreel’s name starts with the Letter Jeem (ج). He pressed Muhammad ﷺ:
3 (= ج) times{ Ilm Yaqeen, Ayn Yaqeen Haqq Yaqeen}. then could Muhammad ﷺ Recite.
If we turn to the Quran to find the mention of Jibreel (as) by Name, he is mentioned exactly 3 (ج) times in 3 verses:
Say: Whoever is an enemy to Jibreel for he brings down the (revelation) to your heart by Allah’s will a confirmation of what went before and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe.
Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His angels and Rasools to Jibreel and Mikaeel Allah is an enemy to those who reject faith.
[Quran: Al Baqara Chapter 2:97-98]
If you two turn in repentance to Him your hearts are indeed so inclined; but if you back up each other against him truly Allah is his Protector and Jibreel and (every) righteous one among those who believe and furthermore the angels will back (him) up.
[Quran: At Tahreem Chapter 66:4]
CONCLUSION
The Letter Jeem (ج) is about Jumaa Gathering. The ultimate Jumaa (gathering) will take place on the Day of Judgement. Where all the people human and Jinn will be gathered awaiting news of their fate. Jannah Heaven or Jahannam Hell.
May Allah have Mercy on us all. Ameen. Only Allah Knows Best.
Khalid M. Malik Ghouri
NAMES OF ALLAH STARTING WITH THE LETTER JEEM
- Al Jabbar
- Al Jameel
- Al Jaleel
- Al Jaami
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَ سَلِّمْ.
“Allahumma salli ‘ala Sayyidina Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Sayyidina Muhammadin wa Sallim.”
“O Allah! Send Peace and blessings upon our master Prophet Muhammad and upon the Family of our master Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)”
Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammadin Nabi yil Umi ilal Insi wal Jinni wa aswadi wal ahmari wal asghari wal akbari. Sahibil Kawsari wa barik wa sallim.
Date Updated: Nov 28, 2023
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