Short answer
786 is the number value of the letters of Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim in the abjad system. Writing it is not Bismillah and does not earn its reward. Some scholars allowed it on papers likely to be thrown away, but the sunnah is to say Bismillah and to write it in full where it will be respected.
The Hanafi scholars of the subcontinent say 786 has no basis in the Quran or sunnah and is not a substitute for Bismillah. Writing it is not haram, and some allowed it to protect the sacred words from being thrown away, but the reward of beginning with Bismillah comes only from saying or writing the words themselves.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
In the old abjad system each Arabic letter has a number. Add up the letters of بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم and you get 786. In South Asia people began writing 786 at the top of letters, shop signs and wedding cards as a short form of Bismillah.
Why scholars are cautious. The sunnah is to begin with the name of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ began his letter to Heraclius with Bismillah written in full, and the Quran quotes the letter of Sulayman beginning the same way (27:30). A number is not the name of Allah. So writing 786 is not the same as beginning with Bismillah, and it does not bring its blessing or reward.
Why some allowed it. Letters, invoices and cards often end up in the bin or on the floor. Some scholars allowed writing 786 on such papers so that the actual words of Bismillah would not be disrespected. Others said it is better to say Bismillah with your tongue and leave the paper without it. Both views agree that 786 is not holy in itself and has no special power.
Practical advice:
- Say Bismillah aloud or quietly before writing anything important. That is the sunnah.
- Write Bismillah in full on things that will be kept and respected.
- Do not treat 786 as a charm or a lucky number.
See the meaning of Bismillah and the one surah without it.
The evidence
Quran, Surah An-Naml 27:30
إِنَّهُۥ مِن سُلَيْمَٰنَ وَإِنَّهُۥ بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ﴿٣٠﴾
Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it reads: 'In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,
The letter of Sulayman began with the name of Allah, a model for beginning letters.
Sahih al-Bukhari 7
Sahih... بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم من محمد عبد الله ورسوله إلى هرقل ...
"In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind. From Muhammad, the servant of Allah and His Messenger, to Heraclius."
The Prophet ﷺ wrote Bismillah in full at the start of his letters.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Fatawa Mahmudiyya, Section on etiquette of writing the name of Allah. Discusses writing 786 in place of Bismillah and says it is not a substitute.
- Imdad al-Fatawa, Section on matters of etiquette and innovations. Notes that the abjad number has no basis in the sunnah.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.