According to renowned books and authentic scholars, the word “Jafr” is an abbreviation of “Ja’far”, referring to Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (علیہ السلام)—the leader of the pious and master of the saints. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (علیہ السلام) was a descendant of Imam Hussain (علیہ السلام), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and the martyr of Karbala. He was born in 80 Hijri and attained martyrdom in 148 Hijri in Madina.
Ilm al-Jafr – The Science of Letters
Ilm al-Jafr is essentially the science of letters, based on the principles of Ilm al-Huruf, and is used to uncover the events of the world. In fact, Ilm al-Jafr is often synonymous with Ilm al-Huruf. It is said that this profound knowledge allows one to make predictions about the future and derive well-calculated insights about any matter. Because of its nature, Ilm al-Jafr is also known as “Ilm al-Takseer”—which refers to a method where the letters of a question posed by a seeker are altered or rearranged to extract an answer.
Ilm al-Jafr is a system based on letters and numbers. Through this knowledge, letters are converted into general and specific numerical values, which are then applied for various spiritual and analytical purposes.
- A short collection of letters forms a word.
- A collection of words forms a sentence.
- A collection of sentences forms a text.
- A collection of texts forms a book.
This structured approach to letters and numbers forms the foundation of Ilm al-Jafr, making it one of the most intriguing and mystical branches of knowledge.
The Gift of Speech – A Divine Blessing
Allah, the Lord of Honor and Majesty, has created humans as the noblest of all creations (Ashraf al-Makhluqat). Among all creatures, humans have been granted the highest status. One of the greatest blessings bestowed upon humankind is the power of speech, a unique gift from the Lord of all worlds.
This divine gift is specifically mentioned in Surah Ar-Rahman, where Allah Almighty states:
خَلَقَ الْاِنْسَانَ عَلَّمَهُ الْبَیَانَ
Translation: “He created man. He taught him speech (expression).”
Allah the Most High has endowed humans with the ability to express themselves, which is a distinctive and remarkable attribute. Through this ability, humans have attained a special rank among all of creation.
Among humans, the most esteemed individuals are those who possess the ability to speak eloquently and effectively. To facilitate human speech and expression, letters, words, diacritical marks (Zabar, Zer, and Nuqtay) were introduced, forming the foundation of writing and speech.
This vast system of letters and their arrangement is known as “Abjad”. The Abjad is a specific order of letters, consisting of 28 letters, just as there are 28 lunar phases in a month.
Experts in Ilm al-Jafr have mentioned 28 different Abjads, which serve as essential tools in Ilm al-Athar (the science of influences) and Ilm al-Akhbar (the science of foreknowledge). Through these Abjads, one can unlock the mysteries of the universe and harness the hidden forces of creation.
The 28 Abjads – The Key to Hidden Knowledge
These Abjads serve as a gateway to Lisan al-Ghaib (the language of the unseen) and the acquisition of hidden sciences.
Among the 28 Abjads, two hold fundamental importance:
- Abjad Qamari (Lunar Abjad) – This is the most significant Abjad, often referred to as “Umm al-Abajid” (the mother of Abjads).
- Abjad Shamsi (Solar Abjad) – The second most important Abjad.
The remaining 26 Abjads fall under these two primary Abjads, yet each has its own unique significance and can be used for different purposes. To master Ilm al-Jafr, one must memorize and understand these 28 Abjads before delving deeper into the subject.
The Two Branches of Ilm al-Jafr
As previously mentioned, Ilm al-Jafr is divided into two main parts:
- Ilm al-Athar (The Science of Effects)
- Ilm al-Akhbar (The Science of Foreknowledge)
1. Ilm al-ASAar (The Science of Effects)
This branch deals with practical applications, such as talismans (Taweezat), inscriptions (Naqoosh), and engraved tablets (Alwah). These are formulated using specific methods and principles and are used to resolve everyday life issues, including:
- Livelihood & financial stability (Rizq & Rozgar)
- Employment and career success
- Love and relationships
- Freedom from poverty and debt
- Resolving family disputes
- Protection from enemies
- Healing from illnesses
- Fulfilling various life necessities
2. Ilm al-AkhbAar (The Science of Foreknowledge)
This branch is used to derive answers to unknown questions, whether related to the past, present, or future. It enables practitioners to determine:
- The outcome of a situation or event
- Answers to specific questions or concerns
- The fate of an endeavor or decision
Through Ilm al-Akhbar, one can gain insight into hidden matters and foresee possible outcomes, making it a highly revered branch of mystical sciences.