ABJADI ORDER Meaning and
Definition
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The Abjadi Order is a unique system of ordering letters used in various languages, including Arabic, Persian, Kurdish, and Urdu. In this system, letters are assigned a numerical value based on their position in the alphabet. The order is derived from the first four letters of the Arabic alphabet: Aleph (A), Ba (B), Jeem (J), and Dal (D), resulting in the name "Abjadi."
The Abjadi Order is primarily used for numerical assignments, mostly in religious, mystical, and esoteric contexts. In Islamic traditions, it is associated with the science of mystical interpretation of the Quran, known as "Ilm-al-Jafr." This system is believed to have roots in ancient Mesopotamian numerology and is often intertwined with numerology and divination practices.
In addition to its numeric significance, the Abjadi Order can also influence the organization and categorization of information or concepts. It forms the basis for various mnemonic techniques and cryptographic systems. For example, in classical Arabic poetry, the Abjadi Order is used to alphabetically arrange and classify poems according to their initial letters.
Despite its significance in certain fields, the Abjadi Order is relatively lesser known outside its traditional cultural and linguistic contexts. Nonetheless, it remains an essential component of various scholarly studies, providing insights into numerical symbolism, linguistic structures, and the historical development of languages that utilize the Arabic script.
Etymology of ABJADI ORDER
The word "abjadi order" is primarily associated with the Arabic script. Its etymology can be understood by breaking down the term into two parts:
1. Abjadi: The term "abjadi" refers to the abjad numeral system, which is an alphanumeric system used in many Semitic languages, including Arabic. The abjad system assigns numerical values to the letters of an alphabet or script. The word "abjad" is derived from the Arabic alphabet's first four letters: 'alif, bāʾ, jīm, dāl, (أبجد).
2. Order: The term "order" here refers to the sequence or arrangement of letters in the Arabic alphabet. The Arabic script follows a specific order, just like other alphabetical systems. The order of Arabic letters is sometimes referred to as the "abjadi order" or "alphabetical order".
