The Mathematical Order of the ن NuN (Noon) Letter in Quranic Initials
In the Quran, only one chapter, the 68th (Al-Qalam), begins with the ن initial letter (huruf al-muqatta'at). This chapter contains exactly 133 (19×7) NuN letters.
Surah Al-Qalam
Total 133 NuN letters
Not one less, not one more.
Details of the ن NuN (Noon) Letters in Surah 68 Al-Qalam
Detailed Analysis of the NuN (ن) Letter
The Extraordinary Mathematical Order of the NuN (ن) Letter
In the Quran, the ن (NuN) letter appears as an initial letter in the 68th chapter, Al-Qalam. The total number of NuN letters in this chapter is one of the most impressive examples of the mathematical order in the Quran.
68. Surah Al-Qalam
Total Number of NuN Letters
Sum of NuN letters in Surah Al-Qalam
This mathematical pattern is powerful evidence that the mathematical structure of the Quran is not coincidental. Having such precise numerical balance in a text written over 1400 years ago is extraordinary.
Statistical Significance: The fact that the total number of NuN letters in Surah Al-Qalam is exactly a multiple of 19 (19×7=133) is a statistically significant pattern. The probability of this system occurring by mathematical chance is extremely low.
NuN (ن) Letter's Comparison with Quranic Initials
Three letters are used as single-letter Quranic Initials (Huruf al-Muqatta'at) in the Quran: Sad (ص), Qaf (ق), and NuN (ن). Each of these letters has a mathematical system based on 19.
| Letter | Chapters | Total Count | Relation to 19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ص (Saad) | 7, 19, 38 | 152 | 19 × 8 |
| ق (Qaf) | 42, 50 | 114 | 19 × 6 |
| ن (Noon) | 68 | 133 | 19 × 7 |
Remarkable Statistic: The total count of each of the three letters used as single-letter Quranic Initials (Sad, Qaf, NuN) is an exact multiple of 19. This situation represents a systematic pattern that cannot be explained by coincidence.
This mathematical system is a concrete indicator of the Quran's divine protection. This text, which has been preserved for over 1400 years, confirms its own authenticity through the mathematical codes it contains.
The 19's Error Correction Feature: The NuN in Surah Al-Qalam
One of the most striking features of the number 19 in the Quran is the sensitivity it shows in detecting possible errors within the text. This feature is also evident in the writing of the NuN letter at the beginning of Surah Al-Qalam.
In Modern Manuscripts
Most modern manuscripts use a single NuN letter at the beginning of the 68th Surah Al-Qalam
In Some Ancient Manuscripts
In some ancient manuscripts, the word "Noon" (نون) is written in full at the beginning of the 68th Surah Al-Qalam
The Writing Indicated by the 19 Code
The mathematical system indicates that the number of NuN letters in the 68th Surah Al-Qalam must be a multiple of 19 times 7 (133). This shows that the NuN at the beginning of the chapter should be written with its full pronunciation (نون).
- If written as single NuN (ن): The chapter would have 132 NuN letters (not a multiple of 19)
- If written as NuN-Waw-NuN (نون): The chapter has 133 NuN letters (19 × 7)
The 19 mathematical system shows that the NuN letter at the beginning of the 68th chapter (Al-Qalam) should be written as it is pronounced ("Noon" - نون). This result has been confirmed in some ancient Quran manuscripts.
The Relationship Between Prophet Jonah and the NuN Letter
In verse 48 of Surah Al-Qalam, Prophet Jonah is referred to as "Sahibil Hut" (The Man of the Fish) without using the "NuN" letter in his name. In verse 87 of Surah Al-Anbiya, he is defined as "Dhun-Nun" (The One with the NuN Letter). This situation is one of the subtleties in the Quran's mathematical system. In Surah Al-Qalam, where the NuN letter is used intensively, a description that does not contain the "NuN" letter was used instead of Prophet Jonah's name. This is an important detail that indicates the mathematical structure in the Quran exists independently of human intervention.
Writing of NuN (ن) Letter in Historical Quran Manuscripts
In Quran manuscripts from different periods examined, various practices are observed regarding the writing of the NuN letter at the beginning of Surah Al-Qalam. While some manuscripts use a single NuN letter, others contain double NuN (نون - NuN-Waw-NuN) writing or markings. Additionally, some manuscripts title this chapter as "Al-Qalam" (القلم - The Pen), while others use "Noon" (نون). These differences provide important information about the historical course of fine adjustments in the mathematical structure of the Quran.
Writing of NuN Letter in Different Historical Manuscripts
Ibn al-Bawwab Mushaf
This manuscript in the Chester Beatty Library was written by the great master of Islamic calligraphy ʿAlī b. Hilāl (Ibn al-Bawwab) in Baghdad in 1000-1001 CE. At the beginning of Surah Al-Qalam, a second NuN letter added in red ink above the first NuN letter is clearly visible. This points to the full writing of the word "Noon".
Ibn Khalawayh's Quranic Readings
This work is not a Mushaf, but a study on various Quranic reading forms written by the grammarian and lexicographer Ibn Khalawayh (d. 980-981). In this document, the full writing of the letter at the beginning of Surah Al-Qalam as NuN-Waw-NuN (نون) is visible.
Various Variants and Readings of the NuN Letter
EvQ - Encyclopedia of Quranic Variant Readings
Harvard University supported open access platform
| Chapter:Verse | Writing | Narrator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68:1 | نُونْ | İbn 'Abbās | Muḫtaṣar (159) |
| 68:1 | نُونْ | Abū al-Sammāl | Muḫtaṣar (124, 159) |
| 68:1 | نُونْ | al-A'mash | Muḫtaṣar (124) |
| 68:1 | ن وَالْقَلَمِ | Ya'qūb | Durra |
| 68:1 | ن وَالْقَلَمِ | Ibn Muḥayṣin | Mufrada (145) |
The Meaning Indicated by Variants
According to the variants documented on the EvQ platform, the NuN letter at the beginning of Surah Al-Qalam was read in two different ways by early Quran readers: نُونْ (as the word "Noon") or ن وَالْقَلَمِ (as the letter "N" and the word "Al-Qalam"). The different reading styles seen in the table show that various traditions existed in understanding the disjointed letters (Muqatta'at) in the Quran. According to the 19 system, the complete pronunciation "Noon" (نون) supports the total of 133 (19×7) NuN letters in Surah Al-Qalam.
Historical Evidence and Harmony with the 19 System
In the examined historical Quran manuscripts, different practices are observed regarding the writing of the NuN letter at the beginning of Surah Al-Qalam. In some manuscripts, it is seen that the letter is written as a single NuN, while in others there are markings indicating that it should be read as "Noon" or double NuN writing. This situation shows that different understandings existed on this matter throughout history. The mathematical system indicates that for there to be a total of 133 (19×7) NuN letters in the chapter, the sign at the beginning of the chapter must be understood as "Noon" (نون). Some examples in ancient manuscripts and records on the EvQ platform support this mathematical accuracy.