The word ism (name) occurs 19 times
Word frequencies
Disputed countingInterpretive conclusion disputedSource-verified
Overview
The word اسم, the first word of the Bismillah, is said to occur exactly 19 times on its own.
Why it is investigated
Ism is the first word of the Bismillah.
Original proposed pattern
Standalone اسم = 19
“The first word "Ism" (Name) occurs 19 times.” — Rashad Khalifa
Expected result
19
Counting methodology
Count words that are exactly اسم (no prefixes or suffixes).
Methodology sensitivity
Depends on which forms count as the same word (اسم vs. باسم, بسم, اسمه).
Quran references
Whole Quran
Required dataset
QUL Arabic text (Uthmani or Imlaei simple)
Historical and interpretive context
Philips disputes which forms were included.
Sources · Source-verified
The pattern and expected value were checked against the cited source.
- Rashad Khalifa, Appendix 1: One of the Great Miracles [74:35], Quran: The Final Testament (Authorized English Version) (1989) — Bismillah facts
- CritiqueAbu Ameenah Bilal Philips, The Qur'an's Numerical Miracle: Hoax and Heresy, Al-Furqan Publications, Riyadh (1987) — Ch. 7, Word Count: Ism
A number divisible by 19 is an arithmetic fact about a count. It is not, by itself, theological proof.
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