Among the two well-known branches of Ilm-e-Jafar, "Ilm-e-Jafar Akhbar" is considered the oldest and most traditional method. It is especially suited to questions that call for a clear, direct answer. In this article, we'll walk through exactly how Ilm-e-Jafar Akhbar works and the principles behind each step.
Ilm-e-Jafar Akhbar rests on the belief that the letters hidden within the words of a question, when arranged in a particular order, reveal certain specific letters that clarify the answer. This process involves writing out all the letters of a question in a "Jafar grid" — a staircase-shaped table.
The questioner first writes their question in Urdu or Arabic script. The clearer and more concise the question, the more reliable the result is considered to be. For example: "Will I get a promotion at work?" or "Will this relationship succeed?"
Each letter of every word in the question is extracted individually. Diacritics, numbers, and punctuation marks (like question marks) are not counted — only pure letters are used. The letters of each word are placed on a new row, with each successive row starting one column further along than the last, forming a staircase-like shape.
This staircase arrangement is what's known as the "Jafar grid." Within this grid, all the letters are counted column by column — from top to bottom, one column at a time. This re-ordering threads the letters into an entirely new sequence.
According to traditional practice, every fourth letter is extracted from this new sequence — which is why this method is sometimes called "the fourth-letter method." The extracted letters are then combined into a new word or set of words, which form the foundation for the analysis that follows.
The abjad values of the extracted letters are added together, producing a combined numeric total. Both this number and the extracted letters together form the basis of the spiritual interpretation.
The final answer is composed based on the meaning and spiritual associations of the extracted letters. Each letter carries its own spiritual connotation — some are traditionally associated with mercy and ease, while others point toward trial or the need for patience. These meanings are woven together to form a coherent answer, typically consisting of two parts: first, a direct response to the question; second, a suitable wazifa (devotional recitation) or prayer for the situation at hand.
Ilm-e-Jafar Akhbar is particularly well-suited to questions with a yes-or-no nature, or those requiring quick insight into a specific upcoming event. For example:
A few important points should be observed when using this method. First, the question should be asked with a pure heart and sincere intention. Second, the same question should not be repeated multiple times, as this can affect the outcome. Third, performing ablution and reciting Durood Shareef before asking is considered a recommended practice. Fourth — and most important of all — one should always remember that ultimate knowledge belongs to Allah, and this method is simply a traditional means of guidance.
Suppose the questioner's name is "Ali," the mother's name is "Zainab," and the question is: "Will my business be profitable?" All the letters of the name and question are first arranged together in the staircase pattern. They are then counted column by column to form a new sequence, from which every fourth letter is extracted to form a new set of letters. The abjad values of these extracted letters are added together to reach a final number, which is then cross-referenced against traditional interpretive tables. Based on this interpretation, the questioner is told whether the business is likely to be profitable, or whether more patience and effort is still needed — along with a suitable wazifa to accompany the guidance.
Many people want to ask several questions in a single sitting, but according to traditional practice, each question requires its own separate grid and calculation. If multiple topics are merged into a single question (for example, "Will my job and my marriage both work out?"), the letter sequence becomes muddled and the result less clear. This is why it is always recommended to ask one clear, focused question at a time.
Can this method tell me exactly when something will happen?
No, it only reveals the current direction of a matter — not a specific date or timeframe. For timing-related questions, dividing by 7 (part of Ilm-e-Jafar Aasar) is generally considered more suitable.
What if the letters extracted are fewer than four?
In such cases, different practitioners handle it differently — some take the last available letter, while others suggest slightly lengthening the question so the grid contains enough letters.
Is the fourth letter the only letter that matters?
Not entirely — the remaining letters still contribute to the grid's overall structure, but tradition holds that only the fourth-letter sequence carries the strongest spiritual relevance for the final answer.
Today, this intricate calculation process can be completed in mere seconds with the help of modern technology. A user simply enters their name, their mother's name, and their question, and the system automatically builds the Jafar grid and extracts the relevant letters. This has made a centuries-old tradition far more accessible to ordinary people, without departing from its traditional foundations.
A related and important question is how frequently one should seek guidance through this method. Traditional advice is clear: the same topic should not be repeated across different sittings, as this can muddy the outcome and is also seen as reflecting a lack of trust in Allah's decree. If deeper clarity on an important matter is genuinely needed, it is better to wait, continue with prayer and effort, and revisit the question — if truly necessary — only after a meaningful gap of weeks or months.
It is worth mentioning that when this process is automated through a digital tool, the underlying calculation remains exactly as traditional practice describes it — nothing is simplified or skipped. The advantage of automation lies purely in speed and accessibility, not in any change to the method itself, which is why the results remain consistent with what a trained practitioner would produce by hand.
Ilm-e-Jafar Akhbar is a structured, traditional method that derives an answer by examining the letters of a question in a specific arrangement. This process is rooted in centuries of practice, and people continue to use it today for guidance on important life decisions. However, it should always be viewed as a supportive tool rather than the final basis for a decision — and ultimate trust should always rest with Allah alone, who knows what lies ahead far better than any calculation ever could.