The Saqifah Mystery: Abjad, The Pen, and the Path to Spiritual Inheritance

How the Hidden Code of Saqifah Reveals the Spiritual Crisis — and Why Writing the Divine Names Is Our Salvation

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In the aftermath of the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) passing, the meeting at Saqīfat Banī Sāʿidah became a pivotal moment that shaped the course of Islamic history. But beyond the historical narratives lies a profound spiritual code hidden in the very word “Saqīfah” (السقيفة) itself — a code we have yet to fully unravel.

The Abjad of Saqifah — A Divine Signpost

Using the Abjad numerical system, the letters of السقيفة add up to 286, which reduces to 7 — a number deeply associated with spiritual knowledge, divine completion, and cosmic order (7 heavens, 7 seas, 7 days).

Curiously, 286 is also the exact number of verses in Surah Al-Baqarah, the longest chapter in the Qur’an, revealed largely in Medina, dealing with law, community tests, faith, and hypocrisy — themes that mirror the Saqifah event itself.

Surah Al-Baqarah ends with a powerful reminder:
"Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear..." (2:286) — a verse symbolizing spiritual accountability and divine justice.

This alignment suggests that Saqifah was not merely a political event but a spiritual trial and a test of the community’s capacity to bear divine responsibility.

The Pen and Knowledge: The Missing Link

The number 7 also connects us to the Pen (القلم) — the first creation of Allah according to hadith, representing divine knowledge and destiny. Writing, in this context, is no ordinary act; it is the vessel through which spiritual inheritance flows.

The Saqifah event symbolizes a failed transfer of the “Pen”, a break in spiritual leadership that left the community grappling with law but disconnected from inner gnosis.

Imam Ali (ع), who famously wrote the tafsir (exegesis) of the Qur’an shortly after Saqifah, demonstrates the vital role of writing and divine knowledge in true leadership — a role that was denied by the political maneuvering of the time.

The Ark of Writing and Spiritual Survival

Recall the story of Prophet Nuh (Noah) (ع) and the Ark: before the flood, only those whose names were written and preserved were saved. This highlights a timeless spiritual principle:

“Unless we write the Names, we will not be able to save our family.”

Writing the Divine Names is the modern Ark — a safeguard preserving spiritual lineage and the soul’s journey across generations. It activates the 7 layers of the soul, connecting the three generations above, the one writing, and the three generations below — reflecting the sacred number 313, which itself reduces to 7.

The Spiritual Crisis and the Path Forward

The Abjad value of Saqifah (286) and its resonance with Surah Baqarah (286 verses) reflect the spiritual crisis we face today:

• A community struggling with faith and hypocrisy

• A failure to unite law and spirit

• A neglect of the Pen, the instrument of divine knowledge

And yet, hope remains.

A Universal Pathway: Reciting and Writing the 99 Names of Allah

The spiritual restoration begins with simplicity. Regardless of one’s knowledge of Arabic, reciting and writing the 99 Names of Allah is a profound act that trains the heart, hand, and mind.

• Reciting connects the breath and soul to divine presence.

• Writing strengthens neural pathways and prepares the seeker for deeper spiritual writing.

• This practice is the gateway to understanding the Qur’an from its heart, beyond the letters and words.

The Power of the Number 7 and 313

Seven is the number of completion and divine wisdom; 313 reflects a sacred spiritual assembly, fluctuating in meaning depending on the level of one’s journey.

For the seeker, writing and reciting the Names is the key to aligning with the Pen’s power, reclaiming spiritual inheritance, and preparing the soul for resurrection in every moment — the true “Day of Resurrection.”

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