poetry by the punjabi sufi saint baba bulleh shah. in arabic numerology, alif represents the number one and belongs to the element of fire, therefore illumination. it symbolizes god’s unity. The arabic letter alif is equivalent to the letter ‘a’ in the english alphabet or alpha in latin. the letter takes on the archetypal value of the whole alphabet, which it begins and is thus also identified with adam, the archetypal man or father of humankind. alif is the first letter in the name ALLAH. more here.