The Number 786 Does Not Substitute for the Basmala

Question

Question: If, instead of writing “Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim”, one writes the number 786, will the reward for the basmala be obtained or not?

Answer

The reward for [writing] “Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim” will not be obtained by writing the number 786. This is merely the abjad numerical value of the basmala, which can only serve as an allusion [to it, nothing more].

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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