Use of Numerological Precision in Mughal-Era Islamic Poetry of the Subcontinent

Ilm-e-Jafar, also known as 'Jafr' or 'Jafr-e-Jamia,' is an ancient Islamic method that combines divination and numerology. This mystical practice involves letters, numbers, and symbolic interpretations, in the past providing a way for practitioners to seek guidance, predict events, and explore the esoteric.

My interest in this practice was piqued by an encounter with a poetic verse on a Mughal-era tomb (Sheikh Mohtram) in Lahore from the 17th century. 

"The guide who led people towards salvation, "He whose heart resembled Solomon's and wisdom Asaf's, "Shah Muhtaram, the saintly soul of God, "Transitioned from this life to the assembly of the departed righteous; "As I sought his departure date, "A sound and virtuous mind revealed: "Subtract five from the sentence, saying: "May he enter the highest paradise!"

This stanza appears to eulogize a revered figure, Shah Muhtaram, who is depicted as a guide leading people towards spiritual salvation. The stanza mourns his passing from the earthly realm to the realm of the departed righteous. The stanza speaks of Shah Muhtaram's remarkable qualities, comparing his heart to Solomon's (known for his wisdom and compassion) and his wisdom to Asaf's (a figure known for his insight and knowledge). It refers to him as a saint of God, emphasizing his spiritual significance. When attempting to find the date of his death, the stanza provides a cryptic clue: "Deduct five from the following sentence and say: 'May he enter the high paradise!'" This suggests that the solution to determining the date of Shah Muhtaram's passing involves subtracting the number five from the mentioned sentence, likely resulting in a date or a significant clue. The verse, when translated, revealed a message about revered individuals who had passed away, suggesting a method to determine their date of death. It involved subtracting five from their date of death and praying for their admission into the highest paradise.

The numerical value of the last verse, according to the Abjad system, was 1107. Following the method in the previous verse, subtracting 5 from this value resulted in 1102, which aligned with the Hijri year of death of the Saint buried in the tomb. This practical application of Ilm-e-Jafar served as an intriguing demonstration of its effectiveness.

Ilm-e-Jafar is a structured practice that takes on multiple forms and is not arbitrary. In the past, poets in the sub-continent often included the dates of significant events, births, or deaths within their verses, demonstrating their literary expertise and scholarly status, and celebrating these moments.

In essence, Ilm-e-Jafar is not just a mystical art, but a structured system that combines symbolism, numbers, and interpretations, reflecting the depth of Islamic traditions and scholarship.