The Letter Waw (و): Hook, Connection & The Power of Six
By Shakeel Muzaffar | Last Updated: January 9, 2026
Waw (و) is the 6th letter of the Arabic alphabet with an Abjad value of 6. Meaning "hook" in Semitic languages, Waw represents connection, unity, and the conjunction "wa" (and) that links all words together. The number 6 appears in the six days of creation, six directions of space, and symbolizes divine order. When doubled, 6+6=66, equaling the value of Allah (الله).
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
After Alif (1), Ba (2), Jim (3), Dal (4), and Ha (5), comes Waw (و)—the sixth letter that represents connection, the hook that binds creation together.
Waw, derived from the Semitic word for "hook" or "peg," is more than just a letter. It's the conjunction "wa" (و) meaning "and"—the most frequently used connecting word in Arabic. This letter teaches us that nothing exists in isolation; everything is connected through divine wisdom in the six days of creation, six directions of space, and six degrees of existence.
What Is the Arabic Letter Waw (و)?
Waw is the sixth letter of the 28-letter Arabic alphabet in Abjad order. Its sound is a soft "w" like in "water": و
- Position: 6th letter in Abjad order, 27th in modern Arabic alphabet
- Origin: From Phoenician/Hebrew "Waw/Vav" meaning "hook" or "peg"
- Equivalent: Letter "W" in English (water, wonder)
- Abjad Value: 6
- Meaning: Hook, connection, conjunction "and"
- Spiritual Symbol: Unity, love (Wadood), divine order
- As Conjunction: و (wa) = "and" (most common word in Arabic)
- Special Feature: Non-connecting letter (doesn't join to the left)
The name Waw (واو) comes from ancient Semitic languages where it meant a "hook," "peg," or "nail"—something that connects or holds things together. This physical meaning perfectly captures its grammatical function: Waw is the primary conjunction in Arabic, literally "hooking" words, phrases, and ideas together.
🔗 Waw: The Connecting Hook
Waw (و) is the conjunction "wa" meaning "and"—the hook that connects all of creation through divine unity.
🧮 Interactive Abjad Calculator
Type any Arabic letter or word to see its Abjad value instantly
What Is Waw in Abjad Numerology?
In the Abjad system (also called Hisab al-Jummal in Arabic: حِسَاب ٱلْجُمَّل, or Ilm-ul-Adad), Waw has the numerical value 6. This ancient Arabic numerology system, similar to Hebrew Gematria (where Vav = 6) and Greek Isopsephy (where Digamma/Upsilon relates to 6), assigns values to all 28 Arabic letters (source).
The number 6 carries profound significance across Islamic cosmology, creation narrative, and spatial dimensions:
This symbolizes completion, connection, divine order, and the six stages through which Allah brought all creation into being. Six represents the perfection of space and time working in divine harmony.
The Sacred Significance of Six in Islam
The number 6 structures the entire framework of creation and existence. The Quran mentions in seven different verses (7:54, 10:3, 11:7, 25:59, 32:4, 50:38, 57:4) that Allah created the heavens and earth in six days (Islamic scholarly source):
إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ
"Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and earth in six days..."
Scholars explain that these "six days" (أيام - ayyam) refer to six periods or stages, not 24-hour days. Allah, who could create instantly with "Be, and it is" (كن فيكون), chose six stages to demonstrate divine wisdom, deliberation, and order—teaching humanity that everything has an appointed time and proper sequence (Islamic mysticism source).
- Six Days of Creation – Heaven and Earth in six periods
- Six Directions of Space – Up, down, north, south, east, west
- Six Articles of Faith – Belief in Allah, Angels, Books, Prophets, Day of Judgment, Divine Decree
- Six Realms of Existence – Different levels of reality and consciousness
🌐 The Six Directions of Space
These six directions define all of physical space. Allah encompasses all six, being above His Throne yet closer to us than our jugular vein.
The Complete Journey: From One to Six
| 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 |
| ه | 5 | Life & Practice | Breath of existence, structured worship, living faith |
| و | 6 | Connection & Completion | All things united, creation complete, divine order manifest |
➜ The complete journey: Unity (1) → Response (2) → Community (3) → Foundation (4) → Life (5) → Connection & Completion (6)
The concept of "six" as connection and completion appears universally across ancient alphabetic numeral systems:
- Arabic Abjad: Waw (و) = 6 → Hook, connection, conjunction "and"
- Hebrew Gematria: Vav (ו) = 6 → Hook, connection, nail/peg
- Greek Isopsephy: Digamma/Upsilon = 6 → Connection sound
- Phoenician: Waw = 6 → Hook/peg (connects tent pegs to fabric)
Across all traditions, the sixth letter represents connection—the divine force that hooks all creation together into unified order.
Why Is Waw the Most Important Letter?
1. Waw Is the Conjunction "And" (و)
In Arabic, Waw (و) is the single-letter conjunction "wa" meaning "and". It's the most frequently used word in the Arabic language and the Quran. Every time you see و, it's connecting:
- السماوات والأرض – The heavens AND the earth
- الرحمن والرحيم – The Most Merciful AND Most Compassionate
- الليل والنهار – The night AND the day
- والله – "By Allah" or "I swear by Allah"
Waw doesn't just connect words—it connects meanings, realities, and spiritual truths. It teaches that nothing in creation stands alone; everything is part of a unified divine plan.
2. Wadood (The Most Loving) Begins with Waw
One of Allah's beautiful names is Al-Wadood (الودود)—"The Most Loving." This name begins with Waw (و).
وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الْوَدُودُ
"And He is the Forgiving, the Most Loving."
The root Wudd (ود) means "love, affection, friendship." Allah's love is what connects creation to Creator, what hooks our hearts to His remembrance, what binds believers together in brotherhood. Love is the ultimate hook—the Waw that holds everything in existence.
3. Doubled Waw Equals Allah (66)
In Islamic mysticism and Turkish calligraphy, Waw is often doubled: و و
When interpreted as 6 × 6 (or 60 + 6), this equals 66—the exact Abjad value of Allah (الله) = 1+30+30+5 = 66.
This visual symbolism appears throughout Islamic art and architecture. The doubled Waw represents Allah's name itself—the ultimate connection between all things (source on Waw symbolism).
Common Questions About Waw
In the Abjad numerology system, Waw has a numerical value of 6. This represents connection, the six days of creation, six directions of space, and the conjunction "wa" (and) that links all things together. When doubled, Waw (6+6) equals 66, the value of Allah's name.
The word "Waw" comes from the Semitic root meaning "hook," "peg," or "nail"—something that connects or holds things together. In Arabic, Waw is the primary conjunction "wa" (و) meaning "and," literally hooking words and concepts together in speech and writing.
Waw represents connection between creation and Creator, unity in diversity, and divine love. The name Al-Wadood (The Most Loving) begins with Waw. It symbolizes how Allah connects all of existence through love, order, and the six stages of creation.
The Quran mentions in seven verses (7:54, 10:3, 11:7, 25:59, 32:4, 50:38, 57:4) that Allah created the heavens and earth in six days (periods). Scholars explain this demonstrates divine wisdom, deliberation, and order—teaching humanity that everything has an appointed time and proper sequence, even though Allah could have created instantly.
The six directions are: up (sky/heavens), down (earth/depths), north, south, east, and west. These represent the complete spatial dimensions of creation. Allah encompasses all six directions, being above His Throne yet closer to us than our jugular vein.
Waw (و) is the primary conjunction in Arabic meaning "and." It's written as a prefix attached to the following word: والله (wallah) = "by Allah," والأرض (wal-ard) = "and the earth." It's the most frequently used word in Arabic and the Quran, connecting words, phrases, and ideas.
Many important Islamic words begin with Waw: Wadood (ودود) = The Most Loving (Allah's name), Wahdah (وحدة) = unity/oneness, Wahi (وحي) = revelation, Wudu (وضوء) = ablution, Wasila (وسيلة) = means/intercession. All connect to themes of unity and connection.
In Islamic art and mysticism, doubled Waw (و و) represents either 6+6=12 or 66. The value 66 equals Allah (الله) = 1+30+30+5 = 66. This visual motif appears in Turkish calligraphy and architecture, symbolizing Allah's name and the unity of creation.
Key Takeaways: What You Need to Remember
- Waw is the sixth Arabic letter with Abjad value of 6 (connection, unity, completion)
- Waw means "hook" in Semitic languages—something that connects and holds together
- Waw is the conjunction "wa" (و) meaning "and"—the most used word in Arabic
- Allah created the heavens and earth in six days (six periods of divine order)
- Six directions define all physical space: up, down, north, south, east, west
- Al-Wadood (The Most Loving) begins with Waw—love is the ultimate connection
- Doubled Waw (6+6 or 66) equals Allah (الله) = 66
- Six represents completion, divine order, and the perfection of creation
- Waw teaches that nothing exists in isolation—all is connected through divine unity
Final Thoughts
The letter Waw may look simple—just a curved hook-like shape. But within that form lies the principle that binds all creation.
From Alif (1) we learned unity. From Ba (2) we learned response. From Jim (3) we learned community. From Dal (4) we learned foundation. From Ha (5) we learned life. Now from Waw (6), we learn that everything is connected—heaven AND earth, mercy AND justice, creation AND Creator.
Every time you see the conjunction و in the Quran or Arabic text, remember it's not just "and"—it's the divine hook that reminds us all things are unified under Allah's wisdom. The six days of creation weren't random; they were the deliberate unfolding of divine order. Six is completion. Six is connection. Six is the Waw that holds existence together.
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 connect our hearts to His remembrance, unite us in brotherhood through love, and grant us understanding of the divine order in His six days of creation. Only Allah knows best.