The Letter Meem (م): Muhammad, Water & The Power of Forty
By Shakeel Muzaffar | Last Updated: January 9, 2026
Meem (م) has an Abjad value of 40. It represents water (ma' ماء)—the source of all life—and is the first letter of Muhammad (محمد). The number 40 appears throughout Islamic history: Prophet Muhammad received revelation at age 40, Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai, Noah's flood lasted 40 days. Forty represents spiritual maturity, transformation, and divine completion.
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Of all the letters in the Arabic alphabet, Meem (م) carries perhaps the most profound connection to Islamic history. It is the first letter in the name Muhammad (محمد), connecting the final Prophet directly to the transformative power of forty.
In the Abjad system, Meem has the value 40. This isn't coincidental—it's divinely designed. Meem derives from the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph for water (ماء ma'), the very substance from which Allah created all living things. The shape of Meem resembles a wave or a circle—eternal flow, endless mercy, the completion of cycles.
What Is the Arabic Letter Meem (م)?
Meem is the 13th letter in the traditional Abjad order (giving it the value 40), though it's the 24th letter in the modern Arabic alphabet arrangement. Its sound is the English "M": م
- Position: 13th letter in Abjad order (value 40), 24th in modern alphabet
- Origin: From Egyptian hieroglyph for water 𓈖, Phoenician "mem"
- Pronunciation: Bilabial nasal "M" sound (lips together, nasal passage)
- Abjad Value: 40
- Meaning: Water (ma'), life, source, purification
- Spiritual Symbol: Muhammad, maturity, transformation
- In Muhammad's Name: First letter of محمد
- Shape: Circular/wave-like (prostration position in prayer)
- Ha-Meem Surahs: Opens 7 Quranic chapters with حم
- Prostration: Sajdah position forms the shape of Meem
The ancient name "Mem" meant "water" in Proto-Semitic languages. In Hebrew, water is מַיִם (mayim). In Arabic, water is ماء (ma')—both beginning with Meem (linguistic source).
💧 Meem: The Letter of Water
Ma' (ماء) = Water
From the Egyptian hieroglyph for water 𓈖, Meem represents the source of all life. Allah says: "And We made from water every living thing" (Quran 21:30). The circular shape flows like waves, symbolizing divine mercy that never ends.
🧮 Interactive Abjad Calculator
Type any Arabic letter or word to see its Abjad value instantly
What Is Meem in Abjad Numerology?
In the Abjad system (also called Hisab al-Jummal in Arabic: حِسَاب ٱلْجُمَّل, or Ilm-ul-Adad), Meem has the numerical value 40. This number appears with astonishing frequency throughout Islamic history and sacred texts.
This symbolizes transformation, spiritual maturity, completion of trials, purification through testing, and the perfection that comes only through divine mercy. Forty represents the transition from earthly existence to spiritual enlightenment—from potential to actualization.
Muhammad: The Walking Manifestation of Forty
Prophet Muhammad's name begins with Meem (م):
محمد
Muhammad
Meem (م) = 40 + Ha (ح) = 8 + Meem (م) = 40 + Dal (د) = 4 = 92
But the connection goes far deeper than letters. Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation from Angel Gabriel at exactly age 40 in the Cave of Hira (Islamic source). This wasn't random:
- Age 0-40: Preparation phase—building character, gaining trust (Al-Amin, The Trustworthy)
- Age 40: Spiritual maturity achieved—ready to receive divine message
- Age 40-63: Prophethood—23 years of transforming humanity
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً
"Until when he attains his maturity and reaches forty years..."
The Quran explicitly states that age 40 is when intellect, understanding, and spiritual patience reach full maturity (Wikipedia source).
Why Does Forty Appear Everywhere in Islam?
The Transformative Periods of 40
Throughout Islamic and Abrahamic history, the number 40 marks periods of divine testing, purification, and transformation:
📊 The Sacred Significance of Forty
Moses and the 40 Days of Divine Conversation
The Quran describes Moses' journey to spiritual maturity:
وَوَاعَدْنَا مُوسَىٰ ثَلَاثِينَ لَيْلَةً وَأَتْمَمْنَاهَا بِعَشْرٍ فَتَمَّ مِيقَاتُ رَبِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً
"And We appointed for Moses thirty nights and completed them with ten, so the term set by his Lord was completed: forty nights."
Moses spent 30 nights in seclusion, but that wasn't enough. Allah added 10 more nights to complete the full 40—only then did Moses reach spiritual perfection and receive the divine message.
Scholars note that both Moses (Musa) and Muhammad have names beginning with Meem. Moses needed 40 days to understand the spirituality of Muhammad (mystical source).
40 Days of Human Development
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) explained that human embryonic development occurs in three stages of 40 days each:
- First 40 days: Nutfah (sperm/seed)
- Second 40 days: Alaqah (clinging clot)
- Third 40 days: Mudghah (lump of flesh)
- After 120 days (3×40): Angel breathes the soul into the body
Modern science confirms: a typical pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks. The number 40 is literally written into human creation.
How Prayer Positions Spell "Ahmad"
The Shape of Meem in Prostration
One of the most beautiful secrets: the positions of Islamic prayer spell the name Ahmad (another name of Muhammad):
🕌 Prayer Positions = Ahmad (أحمد)
When you prostrate (sajdah), your body forms a circular shape—the letter Meem (م). Every prayer physically writes the name of Muhammad in your movements.
The Seven Ha-Meem Chapters
Seven chapters of the Quran begin with the mysterious letters Ha-Meem (حم):
- Surah Ghafir (40) – The Forgiver | حم
- Surah Fussilat (41) – Explained in Detail | حم
- Surah Ash-Shura (42) – The Consultation | حم
- Surah Az-Zukhruf (43) – The Gold Adornments | حم
- Surah Ad-Dukhan (44) – The Smoke | حم
- Surah Al-Jathiyah (45) – The Kneeling | حم
- Surah Al-Ahqaf (46) – The Sand Dunes | حم
Notice that Surah Ghafir is Chapter 40—the number of Meem! The combination Ha (8) + Meem (40) = 48, but scholars interpret Ha-Meem as representing "Al-Hayy Al-Muheet" (The Ever-Living, The All-Encompassing) or pointing to the Reality of Muhammad (Haqiqat Muhammadiyya).
The 40 Veils Between Physical and Spiritual
Islamic mysticism teaches that 40 veils separate the physical world from the spiritual realm. To lift these veils, spiritual seekers perform a 40-day retreat (chilla or khalwa)—complete seclusion dedicated to worship, fasting, and remembrance of Allah.
After 40 days, if Allah wills, the seeker experiences spiritual transformation—the veils lift one by one, and physical reality connects with spiritual truth.
The Journey to Forty
| Letter | Value | Symbolism | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| ي | 10 | Divine Hand | Power, action, completion of units |
| ك | 20 | Palm/Command | Grasping, "Kun!" (Be!) |
| ل | 30 | Tongue | Communication, teaching, speech |
| م | 40 | Water & Maturity | Life source, Muhammad, completion |
➜ From Divine Power (10) → Command (20) → Speech (30) → Transformation & Maturity (40)
The concept of "forty" and "water" as transformation appears across ancient cultures:
- Arabic Abjad: Meem (م) = 40 → Water (ma'), Muhammad, maturity
- Hebrew Gematria: Mem (מ) = 40 → Water (mayim), womb, matrix
- Greek Isopsephy: Mu (Μ) = 40 → Water element
- Egyptian: Water hieroglyph 𓈖 → Source of life, Nile's gift
Across all traditions, the letter valued at 40 represents water—the source of life, purification, and divine mercy that flows endlessly.
Common Questions About Meem
In the Abjad numerology system, Meem has a numerical value of 40. This represents water (the source of life), Muhammad (first letter of his name), and the transformative periods of 40 days/years throughout Islamic history. The number 40 symbolizes spiritual maturity and divine testing.
Meem derives from the Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol for water (𓈖). The ancient Semitic word for water is "mem" or "maym" (Hebrew: מַיִם, Arabic: ماء). Water represents life, purification, and divine mercy. Allah says: "And We made from water every living thing" (Quran 21:30).
40 represents transformation and spiritual maturity: Prophet Muhammad received revelation at age 40; Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai; Noah's flood lasted 40 days; human development in the womb takes 40 days in three stages; age 40 is when intellect reaches maturity (Quran 46:15). The number 40 marks divine testing and spiritual completion.
Muhammad (محمد) begins with Meem (م). This connects the Prophet directly to the value 40—the age he received revelation, the perfection of spiritual maturity, and the transformation of humanity through his message. Meem = Muhammad = 40 = Completion.
In Islamic prayer, the prostration (sajdah) position forms the shape of Meem—a circular form with the body folded. The prayer positions spell "Ahmad" (another name of Muhammad): Alif (standing), Ha (bowing), Meem (prostration), Dal (sitting). Every prayer physically writes Muhammad's name.
The Quran states Allah appointed Moses 30 nights, then added 10 more to complete 40 (Quran 7:142). The 30 days alone were insufficient for spiritual maturity. Only after the full 40 days did Moses reach perfection and receive the Torah. This demonstrates that divine completion requires the full 40—not less.
Seven Quranic chapters begin with Ha-Meem (حم): Ghafir (40), Fussilat (41), Ash-Shura (42), Az-Zukhruf (43), Ad-Dukhan (44), Al-Jathiyah (45), and Al-Ahqaf (46). Notice Surah Ghafir is Chapter 40—the value of Meem! Scholars interpret Ha-Meem as representing divine reality and the spiritual nature of Muhammad.
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught that embryonic development occurs in three stages of 40 days each: Nutfah (seed/sperm), Alaqah (clinging clot), and Mudghah (lump of flesh). After 120 days (3×40), the angel breathes the soul into the body. Modern science confirms pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks.
Key Takeaways: What You Need to Remember
- Meem (م) has Abjad value of 40 (water, maturity, transformation)
- Meem is the first letter of Muhammad (محمد)
- Derives from Egyptian hieroglyph for water (𓈖)
- Prophet Muhammad received revelation at age 40
- Moses spent 40 days (30+10) on Mount Sinai
- Noah's purifying flood lasted 40 days
- Human embryo develops in three 40-day stages
- Prostration (sajdah) forms the shape of Meem
- Prayer positions spell "Ahmad": Alif, Ha, Meem, Dal
- Seven Ha-Meem chapters (40-46) in the Quran
- 40 represents spiritual maturity (Quran 46:15)
- 40 veils separate physical from spiritual realms
Final Thoughts
The letter Meem may look simple—just a circular shape. But within that curve flows the water of life itself.
From the first drops of rain that purified Noah's world to the water from which Allah created all living things, Meem represents the source, the sustainer, and the transformer. Every time you say "Muhammad," you begin with Meem—connecting the final Prophet to this eternal cycle of purification and maturity.
The number 40 isn't arbitrary. It's the divine measure of transformation: the time it takes for water to carve stone, for a seed to become a tree, for a soul to reach its full potential. Moses needed 40 days. Muhammad was 40 years. Your own life reaches intellectual maturity at 40.
When you prostrate in prayer, your body forms a Meem—becoming water yourself, flowing with humility toward the One who created everything from a drop.
م
Meem = 40
Water, life, Muhammad, transformation
From a drop, all things flow
May Allah grant us the wisdom that comes with maturity, the humility that flows like water, and the transformation that marks the journey of 40. Alhamdulillah for every drop of divine mercy. Only Allah knows best.