The Letter Ba (ب): Bismillah, Creation & The Dot of Existence
By Shakeel Muzaffar | Last Updated: January 9, 2026
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
After Alif comes Ba (ب)—the second letter of the Arabic alphabet. While Alif represents divine oneness, Ba represents creation, duality, and the manifestation of Allah's will into physical reality.
Ba is perhaps the most significant letter in all of Islamic practice because it's the first letter of Bismillah—the phrase that begins nearly every chapter of the Quran and every action in a Muslim's life. This letter holds secrets about creation, the dot from which everything emerged, and our response to Allah.
What Is the Arabic Letter Ba?
Ba is the second letter of the 28-letter Arabic alphabet. It looks like a flat boat or basket with a single dot underneath: ب
- Position: 2nd letter in Arabic alphabet
- Equivalent: Letter "B" in English
- Abjad Value: 2
- Meaning: Beginning, foundation, with/by
- Spiritual Symbol: Creation, duality, divine response
- Special Feature: The dot underneath
The shape and position of Ba carry deep meaning. Unlike Alif's vertical line pointing to infinity, Ba is horizontal—grounded in the world of creation. And that single dot beneath it? That dot represents the very point from which all existence sprang forth.
✨ The Letter Ba: Shape & The Sacred Dot
🧮 Interactive Abjad Calculator
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Ba in Abjad Numerology: The Number 2
In the Abjad system, Ba has the numerical value 2. This number carries profound spiritual significance:
This symbolizes duality, pairs, and relationship. While Alif (1) represents Allah's singular existence, Ba (2) represents creation responding to the Creator, the manifestation of divine will, and the beginning of multiplicity in the world.
The Meaning of Two
The number 2 appears throughout creation:
- Creator and Creation – Allah and everything else
- Question and Answer – Allah asked "Am I not your Lord?" (Alif) and we said "Bala" (Yes - starting with Ba)
- Inner and Outer – The spiritual and physical realms
- This World and the Hereafter – Temporary and eternal
- Body and Soul – Material and spiritual existence
Complete Abjad Numerology Table
Ba is just one of 28 Arabic letters, each with its own numerical value. The Abjad system organizes these letters into four categories: Units (1-9), Tens (10-90), Hundreds (100-900), and Thousands (1000).
Below is the complete Abjad table. Click any letter to explore its deeper meaning and spiritual significance.
Units (1–9)
Hundreds (100–900)
Thousands
The Divine Dialogue: Alif & Ba
Alif (1) asks, Ba (2) answers. This is the foundation of our covenant with Allah.
Ba: The First Letter of Bismillah
The phrase بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ (Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim) means "In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate."
This phrase begins 113 out of 114 chapters in the Quran. Every Muslim says it before eating, traveling, working—before any significant action. And it all begins with Ba.
Breaking Down Bismillah
Bismi (بِسْمِ) = "In the name of"
Total Abjad Value: 2 + 60 + 40 = 102
The entire phrase Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim has an Abjad value of 786
Why Does Bismillah Start With Ba?
The letter Ba at the beginning of Bismillah carries three crucial meanings:
- Lil-Ilshaaq (للإلصاق) – To attach oneself closely to Allah. It represents our spiritual connection to the Creator.
- Lil-Isti'aanah (للاستعانة) – Seeking help from Allah. Every action begins by asking for His assistance and guidance.
- Lil-Sababiyyah (للسببية) – Causality. Allah is the cause of everything. Without His will, nothing happens.
By starting with Ba, we're saying: "I attach myself to Allah, I seek His help, and I acknowledge He is the cause of all things."
The Famous Dot Under Ba
There's a well-known spiritual saying: "All knowledge is contained in the dot beneath the Ba of Bismillah."
All the secrets of the heavenly books are in the Quran. All the secrets of the Quran are in Surah Al-Fatiha. All the secrets of Al-Fatiha are in Bismillah. And all the secrets of Bismillah are in the dot beneath the Ba.
What Does This Dot Represent?
The dot under Ba symbolizes the point of creation:
- Everything created from a point – Humans from a single cell, plants from a seed, atoms rotating around a nucleus
- Planets and orbits – The sun, moon, and earth all appear as dots from afar, moving in circular paths
- Concentration of knowledge – Just as light can be focused to a point, divine knowledge is concentrated in this dot
- The beginning of manifestation – From Allah's infinite oneness (Alif), creation emerged from a single point (the dot of Ba)
Ba: Recognizing Yourself
In Bismillah, three letters represent three stages of recognition:
Ba represents knowing yourself—not out of pride, but out of responsibility. We were sent as Allah's representatives on earth. We must strive to fulfill that role.
The Missing Bismillah: Surah Tawbah (Chapter 9)
Out of 114 chapters in the Quran, only one chapter doesn't begin with Bismillah: Surah Tawbah (Chapter 9, Repentance).
Why is this significant? Because the absence draws your attention. If Bismillah appeared in all 114 chapters, most people would overlook it. But by removing it from one chapter, Allah makes us stop and think: "Why is Bismillah missing here?"
Hidden Patterns in Chapter 9
- Chapter 9 starts with the letter Ba (ب): "Barā'atun min Allāh..." (A declaration from Allah...)
- In the first 9 chapters, only two chapters have Ba in their names: Chapter 2 (Al-Baqarah) and Chapter 9 (At-Tawbah)
- Chapter 9 is the second chapter with Ba in its name
- The word "second" = 2, which is the value of Ba
This draws attention to Ba and makes us contemplate Bismillah's deeper meaning. Allah hides treasures in plain sight for those who search.
Spiritual Lessons From Ba
1. Every Action Needs Divine Permission
By starting with Bismillah (beginning with Ba), we acknowledge that we cannot do anything without Allah's permission and help. Ba represents seeking Allah's assistance before every action.
2. Creation Emerges From a Point
The dot under Ba reminds us that all creation started from a single point. This applies to:
- Physical creation (atoms, seeds, cells)
- Spiritual development (starting from a single moment of realization)
- Knowledge (beginning with a single insight)
- Faith (starting with the first sincere "Yes" to Allah)
3. Duality is the Nature of This World
Ba (2) represents pairs and duality:
- Good and evil
- Light and darkness
- Truth and falsehood
- This world and the next
We live in a world of choices and opposites. Our job is to choose what's right and move toward Allah.
Common Questions About Ba
In the Abjad numerology system, Ba has a numerical value of 2. This represents duality, creation's response to the Creator, and the manifestation of divine will into physical existence.
Bismillah begins with Ba because it represents the starting point of all action and creation. While Alif (1) represents Allah's divine unity, Ba (2) represents the act of creation itself—the moment divine will manifests into reality. The Ba in Bismillah also means "with" or "by," showing we act with Allah's name and by His permission.
The dot under Ba symbolizes the point of creation—the origin from which all existence emerges. It represents how Allah created everything from a single point, whether atoms, seeds, cells, or celestial bodies. In spiritual traditions, this dot represents concentrated divine knowledge and the beginning of all manifestation.
Surah Tawbah (Chapter 9) is the only chapter without Bismillah at its beginning. This unique absence draws attention to the letter Ba and encourages deeper contemplation of Bismillah's meaning. The chapter begins with Ba (بَرَاءَةٌ), making it the second chapter in the Quran whose name contains the letter Ba—connecting to Ba's numerical value of 2.
When Allah asked our souls "Am I not your Lord?" (أَلَسْتُ starting with Alif), humanity responded "Bala" (بَلَىٰ - "Yes," starting with Ba). This shows the divine dialogue: Alif represents Allah's question, Ba represents creation's response. Together they form the foundation of our faith and covenant.
The complete phrase "Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim" (بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم) has an Abjad value of 786. This is calculated by adding all letter values: Ba(2) + Seen(60) + Meem(40) + Alif(1) + Lam(30) + Lam(30) + Ha(5) + Alif(1) + Lam(30) + Ra(200) + Ha(8) + Meem(40) + Noon(50) + Alif(1) + Lam(30) + Ra(200) + Ha(8) + Ya(10) + Meem(40) = 786.
Ba teaches us that all creation emerged from a single point (represented by the dot beneath Ba). This applies to everything: atoms rotate around a nucleus (forming a point), seeds grow from a single point, humans develop from a single cell, and even the universe began from an infinitely small point (Big Bang). This mirrors the Quranic verse: "Do not those who disbelieve see that the heavens and the earth were joined together, then We separated them?" (21:30)
Alif (1) represents divine unity and the Creator. Ba (2) represents duality and creation. Alif is vertical (pointing to the heavens), Ba is horizontal (grounded in this world). Together they show the complete relationship: Allah's oneness and the manifold creation that responds to Him. The spiritual dialogue moves from Alif (Allah's question) to Ba (our response).
Key Takeaways: What You Need to Remember
- Ba is the second Arabic letter with Abjad value of 2 (duality, creation)
- It's the first letter of Bismillah, which begins 113 out of 114 Quranic chapters
- The dot under Ba represents the point from which all creation emerged
- Ba symbolizes our response to Allah's question: we said "Bala" (Yes)
- The number 2 represents duality: Creator-creation, question-answer, body-soul
- Bismillah's Ba has three meanings: attachment, seeking help, and causality
- Surah Tawbah (Chapter 9) is the only chapter without Bismillah, drawing attention to Ba
- In Bismillah, Ba represents recognizing yourself as Allah's representative
Final Thoughts
The letter Ba may appear simple—a horizontal line with a dot underneath. But within that simplicity lies the entire secret of creation.
Every time you say Bismillah, remember: you're not just reciting words. You're acknowledging the One (Alif), seeking His help through the created order (Ba), and recognizing your purpose in this world.
From the dot beneath Ba emerged atoms, stars, mountains, oceans, and you. Everything began from a point. And every meaningful action begins with Ba—with Bismillah.
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 knowledge, wisdom, and the ability to act in His name. Only Allah knows best.