The Letter Dal (د): The Door, Foundation & The Power of Four
By Shakeel Muzaffar | Last Updated: January 9, 2026
Dal (د) is the 4th letter of the Arabic alphabet with an Abjad value of 4. Originating from the Phoenician word for "door," Dal represents foundation, stability, and cosmic order. It completes the word "Abjad," is the last letter in Prophet Muhammad's name (محمد), and symbolizes the four cardinal directions, four corners of the Kaaba, and the cyclical nature of creation.
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
After Alif (1), Ba (2), and Jim (3) comes Dal (د)—the fourth and final letter that completes the word "Abjad" (أبجد). While the first three letters represent unity, duality, and plurality, Dal represents foundation, stability, and the cosmic order of four.
Dal is more than just a number. It's the door (Phoenician: Dalet) between realms, the final letter in Prophet Muhammad's blessed name (محمد), and the middle letter in Adam's name (آدم). This letter teaches us about cycles, completeness, and the sacred geometry woven throughout creation.
What Is the Arabic Letter Dal (د)?
Dal is the fourth letter of the 28-letter Arabic alphabet in Abjad order. It looks like an upside-down archway or doorframe: د
- Position: 4th letter in Abjad order, 8th in modern Arabic alphabet
- Origin: From Phoenician "Dalet" meaning "door"
- Equivalent: Letter "D" in English
- Abjad Value: 4
- Meaning: Door, gateway, foundation, stability
- Spiritual Symbol: Cosmic order, cycles, thresholds
- Element: Earth (in classical Arabic element system)
- Special Feature: Doesn't connect to letters after it
The word "Abjad" (أبجد) itself is completed by Dal: A (Alif), B (Ba), J (Jim), D (Dal). This shows how foundational Dal is to the entire numerology system known as Hisab al-Jummal (حِسَاب ٱلْجُمَّل).
✨ Dal: The Sacred Door
The shape of Dal resembles an archway or doorframe—symbolizing passage, transition, and the threshold between physical and spiritual realms.
🧮 Interactive Abjad Calculator
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What Is Dal in Abjad Numerology?
In the Abjad system (also called Hisab al-Jummal in Arabic: حِسَاب ٱلْجُمَّل, or Ilm-ul-Adad / Ilm al-Adad), Dal has the numerical value 4. This ancient Arabic numerology system, similar to Hebrew Gematria (where Dalet = 4) and Greek Isopsephy (where Delta = 4), assigns numerical values to each of the 28 Arabic letters.
The number 4 carries profound significance across Islamic tradition, mathematics, and cosmic order:
This symbolizes foundation, stability, completeness, and cosmic order. Four represents the fundamental structure of creation: four cardinal directions, four elements, four seasons, four corners of the Kaaba—all reflecting divine patterns in the universe.
The Sacred Significance of Four in Islam
The number 4 appears throughout Islamic architecture, practice, and cosmology:
- Four Corners of the Kaaba – Point to the four cardinal directions (N, S, E, W)
- Four Rightly Guided Caliphs – Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali
- Four Sacred Months – Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, Rajab
- Four Letters in Allah – الله (Alif-Lam-Lam-Ha)
- Four Letters in Muhammad – محمد (Meem-Ha-Meem-Dal)
- Four Elements – Earth, Water, Air, Fire (classical cosmology)
- Four Archangels – Jibril, Mikail, Israfil, Azrail
- Four Books – Torah, Psalms, Gospel, Quran
"Four represents cosmic order and stability... the four cardinal points of the earth, four seasons, four phases of the moon."
🕋 The Four Corners of the Kaaba
(Black Stone)
(Faces Iraq)
(Faces Yemen)
(Faces Syria)
The Kaaba's four corners point precisely to the four cardinal directions—a physical manifestation of Dal's meaning.
The Complete Foundation: From One to Four
| Letter | Value | Symbolism | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| ا | 1 | Divine Unity | Allah alone, singularity, the source |
| ب | 2 | Duality | Creation responds, pairs form, dialogue begins |
| ج | 3 | Plurality | Community forms, gathering happens, strength multiplies |
| د | 4 | Foundation | Stability achieved, cosmic order established, completion |
➜ The complete progression: One (Source) → Two (Response) → Three (Community) → Four (Foundation)
The concept of "four" as foundation and door appears universally across ancient alphabetic numeral systems:
- Arabic Abjad: Dal (د) = 4 → Door, foundation, stability
- Hebrew Gematria: Dalet (ד) = 4 → Door, pathway, poverty (lowliness)
- Greek Isopsephy: Delta (Δ) = 4 → Triangle, doorway, change
- Phoenician: Dalet = 4 → Door (original etymology)
All these systems recognize four as the foundation—the minimum structure needed to create stability (four legs on a table, four corners of a building).
Why Is Dal Sacred in Islamic Names?
1. The Last Letter of Muhammad (محمد)
Prophet Muhammad's blessed name ends with Dal: محمد
م (Meem) + ح (Ha) + م (Meem) + د (Dal) = 40 + 8 + 40 + 4 = 92
Dal, as the final letter, represents completion and the seal—just as Muhammad ﷺ is the Seal of the Prophets (Khatam an-Nabiyyin).
2. The Middle Letter of Adam (آدم)
In the name of the first human, Adam, Dal appears in the center: آدم
Alif (1) + Dal (4) + Meem (40) = 45
Dal sits at the center—the heart of Adam's name—representing the doorway between spirit (Alif) and matter (Meem), between divine breath and earthly form.
What Does Dal Symbolize Spiritually?
1. The Circle (Dairah)
Dal represents Dairah (دائرة)—the circle. Everything in existence follows circular patterns:
- Celestial bodies – Sun, moon, planets, stars are spherical
- Orbits – Planets and galaxies move in circular paths
- Atoms – Electrons orbit nuclei in circular patterns
- Life cycles – Birth, growth, death, rebirth (spiritual)
- Tawaf – Pilgrims circle the Kaaba seven times
- Prayer mats – Circular patterns in mosque architecture
A full circle has 360 degrees. Divide 360 by Dal's value (4), and you get 90—the angle of a right angle, the foundation of all geometric stability.
2. The Door Between Worlds
As "door" (from Phoenician Dalet), Dal symbolizes:
- Physical ↔ Spiritual – The gateway between material and divine realms
- Known ↔ Unknown – The threshold of discovery and knowledge
- Life ↔ Death – The passage through which souls transition
- Ignorance ↔ Understanding – The doorway of enlightenment
3. Foundation and Stability
Four is the first number that creates stable structure:
- One point = unstable (falls over)
- Two points = a line (tips over)
- Three points = a triangle (base, but no real depth)
- Four points = a square/rectangle (stable foundation)
This is why buildings have four corners, tables have four legs, and the Kaaba has four sides—four creates stability.
Common Questions About Dal
In the Abjad numerology system (Hisab al-Jummal), Dal has a numerical value of 4. This represents stability, foundation, cosmic order, and completeness through the four cardinal directions, four elements, and four corners of the Kaaba.
Dal comes from the Phoenician letter "Dalet" meaning "door" or "gateway." Its shape resembles a doorway, symbolizing transition, passage, and threshold. In spiritual terms, Dal represents the doorway between the physical and spiritual realms.
Dal represents foundation, stability, cosmic order, and cycles. It's the last letter in Prophet Muhammad's name (محمد), the middle letter in Adam's name (آدم), and symbolizes Dairah (circle)—representing the cyclical nature of existence and divine patterns throughout creation.
Four represents cosmic order and stability in Islam. The Kaaba has four corners pointing to cardinal directions, there are four Rightly Guided Caliphs, four sacred months, four letters in Allah (الله), four letters in Muhammad (محمد), and creation is made from four elements (earth, water, air, fire).
Dal (د) looks like an upside-down archway or doorframe—two lines meeting at a point. Unlike most letters, it doesn't connect to the letter after it, so it always looks like it could be the end of a word, reinforcing its meaning as a "stopping point" or "doorway."
Dal is the final letter in Prophet Muhammad's name (محمد). The name breaks down as: Meem (40) + Ha (8) + Meem (40) + Dal (4) = 92. Dal as the final letter represents completion and the seal—just as Muhammad ﷺ is the Seal of the Prophets.
Dairah (دائرة) means "circle" and begins with Dal. Everything in creation follows circular patterns—celestial orbits, atomic structure, life cycles, and the Tawaf around the Kaaba. A circle has 360 degrees; divided by Dal's value (4), you get 90—the foundation of all geometric stability.
In classical Arabic numerological and elemental systems, Dal is associated with the Earth element. Earth represents solidity, foundation, stability, and grounding—perfectly aligned with Dal's symbolism of foundation and cosmic order.
Key Takeaways: What You Need to Remember
- Dal is the fourth Arabic letter with Abjad value of 4 (foundation, stability)
- Comes from Phoenician "Dalet" meaning "door" or "gateway"
- Completes the word "Abjad" (Alif-Ba-Jim-Dal)
- Last letter in Prophet Muhammad's name (محمد) - represents completion/seal
- Middle letter in Adam's name (آدم) - represents the heart
- Represents Dairah (circle) - all creation follows circular patterns
- Four corners of Kaaba point to four cardinal directions
- Four is the minimum structure for stability and foundation
- Four appears throughout Islam: 4 Caliphs, 4 sacred months, 4 letters in Allah/Muhammad
Final Thoughts
The letter Dal may look simple—just two lines forming a doorway. But within that shape lies the entire principle of foundation, stability, and cosmic order.
From Alif (1) we learned about divine unity. From Ba (2) we learned about creation's response. From Jim (3) we learned that strength comes through gathering. Now from Dal (4), we learn that true stability emerges when foundation is established.
Every time you see the Kaaba with its four corners pointing to the four cardinal directions, remember Dal. Every time you complete a circle in Tawaf, remember Dal. Every time you say the name Muhammad محمد and arrive at that final Dal, remember that completion and foundation go hand in hand.
Dal is the door. The question is: are you ready to walk through it?
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَسَلِّمْ
May Allah send peace and blessings upon our Master Muhammad and his family
May Allah grant us stability, firm foundation in faith, and the wisdom to recognize the doors He opens before us. Only Allah knows best.