Methodology & Verification
The scientific methodology, counting rules, and technical details used in the 19 code research. This page explains how our results are obtained and how they can be verified.
Transparency and Reproducibility
All numerical findings presented on this site were obtained using transparent, reproducible, and testable methods. As in scientific research, we fully disclose our methodology so that independent researchers can verify our results.
Our fundamental approach: "We observe patterns, we don't invent rules."
The mathematical structure in the Quran is a natural reality. Our counting rules are based on the principle of observational consistency that allows this structure to emerge. As in the natural sciences, we analyze data and discover the patterns within it.
Source Text: Tanzil.net Uthmani
All our counts use the Tanzil.net Uthmani text. This version:
- Is a globally standardized and widely accepted Quranic text
- Remains faithful to the original Arabic (Rasm-i Uthmani) script style
- Is optimized for digital research
- Is freely downloadable and verifiable
Counting Rules: Letter vs. Word Distinction
LETTER COUNTS
Scope: ALL 6346 Verses
Examples:
- • Basmalah letters: 19
- • Total Quranic letter count
- • Quranic initials (muqatta'at)
WORD COUNTS
Scope: ONLY 6234 Numbered Verses
Examples:
- • اسم (ism): 19 times (19×1)
- • الله (Allah): 2698 times (19×142)
- • رحمن (Rahman): 57 times (19×3)
- • رحيم (Rahim): 114 times (19×6)
Why This Distinction?
This distinction is not arbitrary, but observational. The mathematical pattern naturally emerges when letters are counted in all verses and words only in numbered verses. This is a discovery like those in the natural sciences: we analyze the data and find the consistent pattern it shows us. We don't invent rules; we report the consistent structure the data reveals.
Chapter 9 (At-Tawbah): Special Case
Basmalah
NONE
No Basmalah at beginning
Verse Count
127
Not 129, but 127 verses
Excluded
9:128-129
Dr. Khalifa methodology
Explanation: Chapter 9 (At-Tawbah) is the only chapter in the Quran that does not begin with a Basmalah. Additionally, according to Dr. Rashad Khalifa's research, verses 9:128-129 are excluded because they do not fit the mathematical structure. This makes the chapter's verse count 127.
Rationale: This exception is not arbitrary. Mathematical pattern consistency (the 19-based system) works perfectly with this definition. It is part of the Quran's own internal mathematical integrity.
Technical Implementation: Automated Counting with Python
All counts are made with Python-based automated software. Advantages of using software over manual counting:
- No human error: Computers never tire, never skip
- Reproducible: Same code, same data → always same result
- Fast: Scans the entire Quran in seconds
- Transparent: Code can be reviewed and tested
Counting Process Steps
Text Normalization
Remove diacritics, unify letter variants (أ→ا, ى→ي, etc.)
Tokenization (Word-Level)
Split text into words (by whitespace). Match whole word tokens, not substrings
Pattern Matching
Exact match with predefined valid forms (الله, لله, بالله, etc.)
Count and Verification
Count each match, report result, verify divisibility by 19
💻 Word Counting - Python Code Example:
def normalize_arabic(text):
# Remove diacritics
text = re.sub(r'[\u064B-\u065F\u0670]', '', text)
# Unify letter variants
text = text.replace("أ", "ا").replace("إ", "ا")
return text
def count_allah(quran_text):
valid_forms = ['الله', 'لله', 'بالله', 'تالله', ...] # 13 forms
count = 0
for verse in quran_text:
words = normalize_arabic(verse).split()
for word in words:
if word in valid_forms:
count += 1
return count # Result: 2698
Letter Counting Methodology:
Letter counting, like word counting, is done automatically with Python. However, instead of words, it works at the character level and equalizes letter variants (e.g., ى→ي, ة→ه).
💻 Letter Counting - Python Code Example:
def normalize_letter(text):
# Unify letter variants
text = text.replace("ى", "ي").replace("ة", "ه")
return text
def count_letter_qaf(quran_text):
count = 0
for verse in quran_text:
normalized = normalize_letter(verse)
# Count each ق letter
count += normalized.count("ق")
return count # Example: 57 (Qaf pages)
Key Differences:
- • Letter counting: Character-level with letter equalization
- • Word counting: Token-level, split by whitespace
- • Letter counting: All 6346 verses (numbered + unnumbered)
- • Word counting: Only 6234 numbered verses
Important Note: Alif (ا) Letter Counts
The Uthmani script has variations in "alif" letter rendering (written in some places, omitted in others). For this reason, we specifically do not count the alif letter in Quranic initials. However, all other letter counts (ح، م، ق، ن etc.) were done with the same Uthmani text, and the mathematical patterns were consistent. This demonstrates that the Uthmani text is reliable for all letters except alif.
Linguistic Clarifications
1. The Word الله (Allah): What is Counted, What is Not?
Examples of Counted Forms
For all 2698 details: Allah Count Table
NOT Counted Forms
Why? This is a vocative form ("O Allah"). Linguistically, it's a compound structure (يا + الله). Not a direct reference.
Examples: 3:26, 5:114, 8:32, 10:10
Why? Different root, different meaning. "Ilāh" = generic "god/deity" (common noun). "Allah" = proper name (Allah).
💡 Why This Rule? Dr. Khalifa's methodology makes this distinction, and the 2698 count (19×142) works precisely with this definition. This is not arbitrary, it's observational consistency. Including the "Allāhumma" form breaks the pattern; excluding it reveals the pattern.
2. Other Words (Ism, Rahman, Rahim)
Similar linguistic rules apply for other sacred words:
- Prefix/suffix variations are counted (باسم, للرحمن, رحيما, etc.)
- Normalized token matching is used
- Grammatical case endings (i'rab) are irrelevant (after normalization)
Step-by-Step Verification Guide
If you want to verify our results yourself, follow these steps:
📥 Step 1: Download Source Text
Download the Uthmani text from Tanzil.net. Using the same source is critically important.
→ tanzil.net/download/💻 Step 2: Use Python Script
Write your own counting script using the code examples on this page. Or contact us to request a simplified script.
🔍 Step 3: Manual Check
If you don't want to write code, perform manual verification using our page tables:
📊 Step 4: Compare Results
Compare your results with ours. You should see an exact match. If there's a difference, it may be due to methodological differences (e.g., are you counting the "Allāhumma" form?).
Still Finding Discrepancies?
Contact us with specific details (verse reference, your count, your methodology). We're committed to accuracy and transparency.
Contact UsFrequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why the numbered/unnumbered distinction?
Answer: Observational consistency. The pattern emerges naturally when letter counts include all verses and word counts use only numbered verses. This is not arbitrary—it's what the data shows us.
Q2: Why isn't Allāhumma (اللهم) counted?
Answer: Linguistic distinction. Allāhumma is a vocative particle (يا + الله), grammatically different from direct references. The 2698 count (19×142) emerges precisely with this definition.
Q3: Can I reproduce these results myself?
Answer: Absolutely! Download the Uthmani text, use our methodology, and perform independent verification. That's the beauty of mathematical systems—they're deterministic.
Q4: What if I find an error?
Answer: Contact us with specific details (verse reference, expected result, your methodology). We'll review together. In scientific research, correcting errors is more valuable than hiding them.
Q5: Will you share your code?
Answer: Simplified code examples are available on this page. For more detailed scripts, academic collaboration requests are accepted. You can reach us through the contact page.
Academic Standards and Transparency
Source: "Quran: The Final Testament" (Dr. Rashad Khalifa, 1974). The findings in this work are a continuation and verification of Dr. Khalifa's pioneering research.
Observation-Based: "We observe patterns, we don't invent rules." Scientific method: analyze data, discover pattern, report.
Open to Peer Review: We welcome academic criticism and collaboration. Our methodology is ready for examination.
Future Updates: Methodology may be refined in light of new findings. Our transparency remains constant.
Have Questions?
For questions about methodology, requests for technical details, or academic collaboration suggestions, please contact us.
Contact Page