Islamic Commercial Matters FAQ #
Original Question: “May I know if numerology is considered un-islamic or haram? For example, changing mobile number or vehicle plate number to “improve” your fortune ?”
In Islam, none has knowledge related to unseen or unknown knowledge, such as fortune, destiny, future etc., except Allah SWT. The Quran in surah an-Naml, verse 65, states: “say: none in the heavens and the earth knows al-Ghaib (the unseen) except Allah, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected.” And Allah has commanded His prophet to say in surah al-A’raf, verse 188: “I have no power to benefit or protect myself, except by the Will of Allah. If I had known the unknown, I would have benefited myself enormously, and no harm would have ever touched me. I am only a warner and deliverer of good news for those who believe.”
Also, the Jinns have no knowledge of the unseen and unknown, as it is shown from the story of the Prophet Sulaiman PBUH in surah Saba’, verse 14: “then when We decreed death for him (Sulaiman), nothing informed them (jinn) of his death except a little worm of the earth, which kept (slowly) gnawing away at his stick. So when he (Sulaiman) fell down, the jinn saw clearly that if they had known the Unseen, they would not have stayed in the humiliating torment.”
Therefore, Muslims are taught to strive for their material needs by permissible means, as mentioned in surah al-Mulk, verse 15: “He it is Who has made the earth subservient to you (i.e. easy for you to walk, to live and to do agriculture on it); so walk in the path thereof and eat of His provision. And to Him will be the Resurrection.”
Having said that, Islamic numerology (‘ilm al-jafr or ‘ilm al-huroof or ‘ilm al-awfaq) is the knowledge of using sacred texts (i.e. verse of the Quran, Allah’s 99 names, azkar) by assigning each Arabic letter with a numerical equivalent. For example, the number 786 denotes Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim (in the name of Allah, the most gracious and the most merciful).
According to Imam Shihab al-Din al-Qarafi in his book “al-furooq”, and Imam Ibn Hajar al- Haithami in his book “al-fataawa al-hadeethiyyah”, it is permissible for Muslims to use it as long as (1) it does not lead to the erosion of our Aqidah. In other words, we should always have the full belief that numbers do not inherently bring us benefits or harms, and only Allah SWT is ‘al- Razzaq’ (The Provider and The Bestower of sustenance). Also, (2) it should not be used for unlawful matters. For example, using the number 786 as a brand name for alcoholic beverages.
Nonetheless, even if one maintains the correct Islamic belief, it is recommended that we seek Allah tawfeeq (divine guidance and enabling) for our sustenance through prayers, such as observing the Dhuha prayer diligently. The Messenger of Allah ( صلى الله عليه وسلم) that Allah, Blessed and Most High said:” Son of Adam, if you perform four rak’as for me at the beginning of the day, I will supply what you need till the end of it” (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, hadith no. 475).
Similarly, for fengshui, even if the Islamic belief is maintained, it is advisable to harmonise the natural energy through Quranic recitations and prayers. The Messenger of Allah ( (صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Do not turn your houses into graves. Indeed Ash-Shaitan (the devlils or bad omen) does not enter the house in which Surat Al-Baqarah is recited.”
Wallahu A’lam
