WAW – The Arabic Letter

February 19, 2013 March 25, 2025

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أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمْ

A’uzu Billahi Minash Shaitanir Rajeem
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Alhamdulillah (All praise is for Allah). Durood wa Salaam (blessings and peace) on Muhammad, his holy Family, and his holy Companions.

Waw و

6 = Heavenly Value

6^th Letter in Abjad – The Arabic Numerology

27^th Letter in Arabic Alphabet

INTRODUCTION

The Arabic Letter Waw (و) is equivalent to the letter ‘W’ in the English alphabet.
It is letter number 27 in the Arabic character set.
Waw in Arabic numerology, which is known as Abjad, has the value of
This article is about the spiritual meaning of the letter Waw.

THE LETTER WAW

[Quran 85:14-16]

وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الْوَدُودُ ‎﴿١٤﴾‏ ذُو الْعَرْشِ الْمَجِيدُ ‎﴿١٥﴾‏ فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ ‎﴿١٦﴾

85:14-16 – “Wa Huwal Ghafoorul Wadood. (14) Zul ‘Arshil Majeed (15) Fa’ ‘aalul limaa yureed. (16) (Suratul Buruj)

“And He is the Forgiving, the Most Loving (14) “Lord of the Throne of Glory (15) Doer of all that He Wills/Intends (16)” (The Mansions of the Stars, 85:14-16)

Wadood – Loving is one of the Attributes of Allah (AJ).

WADOOD – LOVING ودود

The word Wadood – Loving is Wood ود Wood ود – Love.
Love has two parts. And Love and Love ود+ ود becomes Wadood ودود – Loving. (img tbl)

ود+ود= ودود

Love is something that is not visible. Love is something that is shared between two.
We cannot measure love but, we can see the effects of love.
A seeker in search of Allah (AJ) embarks on this course for no other reason than Love for his Creator. So that he may share his Love with Allah (AJ).

Love Will be Tested

When we first start seeking Allah (AJ), Allah (AJ) will test our love for Him with hardships.
These hardships can be as different as the number of different seekers.
There are numerous examples in the Quran, but we shall just look at one example.

In the case of Ibraheem (as): [Quran 2:124]

وَإِذِ ابْتَلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِمَاتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ ۖ قَالَ إِنِّي جَاعِلُكَ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَامًا ۖ قَالَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِي ۖ قَالَ لَا يَنَالُ عَهْدِي الظَّالِمِينَ ‎﴿١٢٤﴾

2:124 – “Wa izib talaaa Ibraaheema Rabbuhoo bi Kalimaatin fa atammahunna qaala Innee jaa’iluka linnaasi Imaaman qaala wa min zurriyyatee qaala laa yanaalu ‘ahdiz zaalimeen.” (Surat al Baqarah)

“And [remember, O Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)], when Ibrahim was tried by his Rabb (Lord) with commands and he fulfilled them. [His Lord] said, “I will make you an Imam (leader) of the people/nations.” [Abraham (as)] pleaded, “And also (Imams) from my offspring.” [His Lord] said, “My covenant is not within the reach/attainable to the oppressors/wrongdoers. (The Cow, 2:154)

Tests of Prophet Ibrahim (as)

What were these certain commands which Ibraheem (as) fulfilled ?

These commands were to leave his wife and son Ismaeel (as) in the desert, in Allah (AJ)’s care. Then after that,
Allah (AJ) asked Ibraheem (as) to sacrifice that which was most dear to him.
And the dearest thing to Ibraheem (as) was his son Ismaeel (as).
So Ibraheem (as) offered his son to Allah (AJ) as a sacrifice.

Allah (AJ) accepted his sacrifice and preserved Ismaeel (as) at the last minute. Why did Allah (AJ) do that ? Because Allah (AJ) is Al Ghafoor ul Wadood. And He is the Forgiving, the Most Loving.

Allah (AJ) tested Ibraheem’s (as) love for his Rabb. And when Ibraheem (as) gave up that which he loved most for the sake of Allah (AJ), Allah (AJ) restored his son and reciprocated that Love.

The moral (of the story) is that Love is shared between two. If the Love of one is not reciprocated by the other, it becomes a trial. When the other responds with Love, it becomes bliss.

Awliyaullah Gave Up Everything for the Divine’s Love

A good example of the effects of love are described beautifully in the book Layla and Majnun by Nizami. Layla and Majnun as a story is wonderful from a worldly point of view. But if we consider this book from a spiritual point of view we find that all the Messengers of Allah (AJ) and Awliyaullah went through the same process. They gave up everything for the sake of Allah (AJ)’s Love. And after trying them, Allah (AJ) returned, or bestowed His Love on them. [Quran 19:96]

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ الرَّحْمَـٰنُ وُدًّا ﴿٩٦﴾

19:96 – “Innal ladheena Amano wa ‘amilos salihati sayaj’alu lahumur Rahmanu Wudda.” (Surat Maryam)

“Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds – the Most Merciful will appoint/bestow for them Love.” (Mary, 19:96)

That means we have to believe and be loving towards others for the sake of Allah (AJ). Everyone one of us, is His creation. Allah (AJ) Himself will reciprocate our love for others. Another word for Love in Arabic is Hubb.

Allah (AJ) Chose Sayyidina Muhammad (pbuh) as His Beloved

[Quran 3:32]

قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّوْنَ اللَّـهَ فَاتَّبِعُوْنِيْ يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّـهُ وَيَغْفِرْ‌ لَكُمْ ذُنُوْبَكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ غَفُورٌ‌ رَّ‌حِيمٌ ﴿٣١﴾ قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْكَافِرِينَ ‎﴿٣٢﴾‏

3:31 – “Qul in kuntum tuhibbon Allaha fattabi’uni, yuhbibkumullahu wa yaghfir lakum dhunobakum wallahu Ghaforur Raheem. (31) Qul atee’ul laaha war Rasoola fa in tawallaw fa innal laaha laa yuhibbul kaafireen. (32)” (Surat Ali ‘Imran)

“Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah (AJ), then follow me, [so] Allah (AJ) will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. (31) Say, “Obey Allah (AJ) and the Messenger (pbuh).” But if they turn away – then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers. (32)” (Family of Imran, 3:31-32)

In the case of Muhammad (pbuh), Allah (AJ) bestowed on him the Title:

Habeeb Allah (AJ) (Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)) – The Beloved of Allah (AJ).
There is a subtlety in this Title.
All the creation that seeks Allah (AJ) pleasure is in Love with Allah (AJ).
In the case of Muhammad (pbuh), Allah (AJ) is in Love with Muhammad (pbuh).

Hence the reference in the Quran: [Quran 33:56]

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيماً ﴿٥٦﴾

33:56 – “InnAllaha wa malayikatahu yusalluna ‘alan Nabiyi yaa ayyuhal lazina aamanu sallu ‘alayhi wa sallimu taslima.” (Surat Al-Ahzab)

“Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet [Muhammad (pbuh)]: O you who believe! Ask Allah (AJ) to send blessings upon him, and you too salute him with all reverence and respect.” (The Combined Forces, 33:56)

FROM WADOOD ودود TO WOOD ود

What do we call these Blessings mentioned in the above reference (Chapter 33 Verse 56 33:56). We call these Blessings Durood درود.

In the word Durood درود there is the word Wood ود – Love.

The Waw of Muhammad (pbuh) = Mahmood محمود

Now if we look at the word Mahmood محمود
Highest in Maqamam Mahmood مَقَامَا مَّحْمُودَ –(Station of Praise)
Highest Station and the name of the Person destined for that rank is محمد Muhammad (pbuh),
We find that the name Muhammad (pbuh) محمد becomes Mahmood محمود if we add the Letter Waw between the second Meem (م) and the Letter Dal (د).
Therefore, the name Muhammad (pbuh) محمد becomes Mahmood محمود which ends with Wood ود – Love.
This reference of Maqamam Mahmood is mentioned in the Prayer that is said after the Azan – Call to Prayer.
Before mentioning Maqamam Mahmood مَقَامَا مَّحْمُودَ in the (call to) Prayer, there is another title of Muhammad (pbuh) that starts with the Letter Waw which is mentioned first.
- That is Wasila – Rights of intercession.

اَللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الدَّعْوَةِ التَّامَّةِ، وَالصَّلَاةِ الْقَائِمَةِ، آتِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّداً الْوَسِيلَةَ وَالْفَضِيلَةَ، وَالدَّرَجَةَ الرَّفِيْعَةَ الْعَالِيَةَ، وَابْعَثْهُ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا اَلَّذِي وَعَدتَّهُ. وَارْزُقْنَا شَفَاعَتَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، إَنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيعَادَ.

Allahumma Rabba hazihid da’watit ta’ammah, wassalatil qaayimah, aati Sayyidina Muhammadanal wasilata wal fadhilata, wad darajatar rafi’atal ‘aaliyyah, wab’as hu Maqamam Mahmudan allazi wa’attahu. Warzuqna shafa’atahu yawmal qiyamah, innaka la tukhliful mi’aad.

O Allah! Lord of this perfect call/invitation and of this established prayer, grant our Master Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) the means (of nearness to You), and the excellence, and of the sublime and supreme rank. And raise him, to the Station of Praise, which You promised him. And grant us his intercession on the Day of Judgement. Indeed, You do not break Your promise.

WASEET- INTERCESSOR

Waseet وَسِيطْ is an intercessor.

On the Day of Resurrection, Sayyidina Muhammad (pbuh) will be asked to intercede for his community.
And that promise of being a Waseet وَسِيطْ – Intercessor has already been made by Allah (AJ) to His Beloved Muhammad (pbuh).

Sayyidina Muhammad, Rasool Allah (pbuh) said: [Hadith of Shafa’at kubra] (hds)

…….’So they will come to me and I will ask the permission of my Rabb (Lord), and I will be permitted (to present myself) before Him. When I see my Rabb (Lord), I will fall down in (prostration) before Him and He will leave me (in prostration) as long as He wishes, and then it will be said to me, ‘Ya Muhammad! Raise your head and speak, for you will be listened to; and ask, for you will be granted (your request); and intercede, for your intercession will be accepted.’ I will then raise my head and praise my Lord with certain praises which He has taught me, and then I will intercede……[Sahih Bukhari]

Concept of Waqt وقت (Time) (Q’n 38:79-81)

قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرْنِي إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ ‎﴿٧٩﴾‏ قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ الْمُنظَرِينَ ‎﴿٨٠﴾‏ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ الْوَقْتِ الْمَعْلُومِ ‎﴿٨١﴾‏

38:79-81 – “Qaala Rabbi fa anzirneee ilaa Yawmi yub’asoon. (79) Qaala fa innaka minal munzareen. (80) Ilaa Yawmil waqtil ma’loom. (81)” (Surat Saad)

“He (Satan) said, “My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are raised/resurrected.(79) He said: Surely you are of the respited ones, (80) Till the Day of the Time Appointed/well-known.(81)” (The letter Saad, 38:79-81)

Waqt وقت is Time.

Satan or Iblees is granted respite until the appointed Waqt وقت – Time in the above verse.
Waqt وقت – Time is one of the many things that man would like to control. But it is elusive. We cannot touch or hold time, we cannot taste time, we cannot see time, we cannot hear time and we definitely cannot smell time.
Time is an elusive concept. It cannot be grasped. It cannot be turned back.

Don’t Waste Time

So most people live for today without a care for tomorrow. In Islam it is the ‘tomorrow’ that matters. Since Iblees (Satan) has been granted respite for an appointed time, he makes us waste our allocated Waqt وقت Time by keeping us busy with worldly matters and turning us away from seeking Allah (AJ)’s bounty.

Therefore, we must put aside some Waqt وقت – Time per day for Tawba – Repentance and seeking Allah’s (AJ) bounty. We have to put aside some good deeds for which the payment is not immediately obvious. But nevertheless, these good deeds of today will be counted ‘tomorrow’.

May Allah (AJ) make us seek His bounties and seek His forgiveness and bestow His Love on us all. Ameen.

Only Allah (AJ) Knows Best.

By: Khalid M. Malik Ghouri

Durood and Salaam (Blessings and peace) on Sayyidina Muhammad (pbuh), his holy Family, and his holy Companions.

اَللّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدْ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَىٰ سَيِّدِنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ سَيِّدِنَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ.

Allahumma salli ’ala Sayyidina Muhammadin, Wa ’ala aali Sayyidina Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘alaa Sayyidina Ibrahima wa ‘alaa aali Sayyidina Ibrahima, innaka Hamidun Majid.

O Allah, send peace and blessings upon our master Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and upon the holy family of our master Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), as you sent blessings upon our master Abraham (pbuh) and upon the family of our master Abraham (pbuh).

NAMES OF ALLAH (AJ) STARTING WITH THE LETTER WAW

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem