It is widely known in mainstream Islam that Prophet Muhammad was illiterate, that he produced a very profound book even though he could not read or write!

 

The verses in question are as follows:

 

and to those who follow the messenger, the UMMI prophet, whom they find written down in the Torah and the Injeel that are with them. He advocates righteousness to them and forbids them from evil. He makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them what is bad, and he relieves them from the heavy burden and the shackles that were upon them. So those who have believed in him, honoured him, supported him, and followed the Light which was brought down with him, they are the successful ones." 7:157

 

Say, "O people, I am the messenger of God to you all. The One to whom belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. There is no god except Him. He brings to life and puts to death." So believe in God and His messenger, the UMMI prophet, and who believes in God and His Words, and follow him so that you may be guided. 7:158

 

Since it’s important to investigate all claims and we do not want to attribute lies to the religion, let’s analyse this topic in light of the Quran. 

 

The word (أُمِّىّ /UMMI) in verses 7:157-158 has been translated to mean “unlettered” or “illiterate”, however when we use the Quran as a dictionary we discover “gentile” is the correct meaning. 

 

To determine this, let’s study the 4 other occurrences of the word “ummi” in the Quran:

 

And among them are UMMI who do not know of the Scripture except through hearsay. They are merely guessing. 2:78

 

If they argue with you, say, “I have submitted my face to God, and so do the ones who follow me.” And say to those who were given the Scripture and the UMMI, “Have you submitted?” If they have submitted, then they have been guided, but if they turn away, then your sole duty is the delivery, and God is Seer of the servants. 3:20

 

Among the People of the Book is one whom if you entrust with a qintar he would return it to you, and among them is one whom if you entrust with a dinar, he will not return it to you unless you keep after him. This is because they said, “We are under no obligation towards the UMMI.” They say lies about God knowingly. 3:75

 

He is the One who has sent to the UMMI a messenger from among them who recites to them His revelations, purifies them and teaches them the Book and wisdom, whereas they were previously in clear misguidance, 62:2

 

From all of these occurrences, it is clear the word “ummi” talks about a people who did not receive a scripture. 

 

The term “gentile” or “gentiles” in its plural form describes a person or a group of people who did not receive a scripture. 

 

Verse 42:52 confirms that Muhammad was a gentile, because he did not have knowledge of any Scripture before he received the Quran:

 

You (Muhammad) did not know what is the Scripture, or what is faith. 42:52

 

There is also further evidence from God in the Quran that Prophet Muhammad could read and write. 

 

Let’s look at the order of revelations that were sent down. The first Sura revealed to Muhammad is Sura 96. Interestingly, the very first word in the first revelation of Sura 96 is "Read" (96:1). 

 

Read in the name of your Lord who created. He created the human being from aalaq. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous. The One who taught by the pen, taught the human being what he knew not. 96:1-5

 

Since God chose to start the first revelation revealed to Muhammad with the word “Read,” it would have prompted him to write down the revelation, so that they can be read over. 

 

“The One who taught by the pen” makes it clear God’s preferred way of communicating with the human being is through scripture.

 

The second Sura revealed to Prophet Muhammad was Sura 68 which is called "The Pen". The only function of the pen is to write. 

 

If Muhammad was illiterate, why would God ask him to read if he cannot read and inform him that God teaches by the pen if he cannot write?

 

It would certainly be miraculous if an illiterate man brought God’s perfect and final Book that cannot be altered. We are however informed that Muhammad did not personally have any miracles. 

 

They say, “If only a miracle was brought down upon him from his Lord!” Say, “The unseen belongs to God. So wait; I am with you among those who wait.” 10:20

 

There is undeniable proof in verses 25:4-5 that Muhammad could write, where God informs us that the disbelievers would mock him as he wrote down the revelations:

 

Those who disbelieved said, “This is a falsehood which he fabricated, and some other people helped him with it.” They have come up with injustice and lies. And they said, “Tales of the previous ones which he wrote down, for they are being dictated to him morning and evening.” 25:4-5

 

Let’s remember, Muhammad’s sole duty from God was to deliver the message. It was not anyone else’s duty to help him deliver it.

 

Obey God and obey the messenger, and beware: if you turn away, then know that the sole duty of Our messenger is the clear delivery. 5:92

 

If Muhammad was illiterate, he could not possibly carry out his only duty and would have needed help. He would therefore be unable to carry out the only task God gave him. 

 

God makes it clear throughout the Quran that Muhammad received “a book” and therefore it was up to Muhammad produce that book in its physical form.

 

A Book has been brought down to you, so let there be no constraint in your chest because of it, and so that you may warn with it. It is a Reminder for the believers. 7:2

Some claim Muhammad was illiterate from misinterpreting the words in 29:48:

 

You have not been reciting any Book before it nor writing it with your right hand, otherwise the falsifiers would have had doubts. 29:48

 

These words however do not refer to the writing of the Quran, they clearly state that Muhammad never recited nor wrote down any Scriptures before the Quran.

 

“You have not been reciting any Book before it..” in verse 29:48 further confirms that Muhammad was a gentile!

 

After thoroughly examining the Quran, it makes perfect sense that Prophet Muhammad was called the “the gentile prophet” in verses 7:157 and 7:158.

 

and to those who follow the messenger, the gentile prophet, whom they find written down in the Torah and the Injeel that are with them. He advocates righteousness to them and forbids them from evil. He makes lawful for them the good things and prohibits for them what is bad, and he relieves them from the heavy burden and the shackles that were upon them. So those who have believed in him, honoured him, supported him, and followed the Light which was brought down with him, they are the successful ones." 7:157

 

We must be careful not to make false claims and lie about God’s religion, for they are major sins in the sight of God.

 

Who is more transgressing than one who fabricates lies about God or denies the truth when it comes to him? Is there not a home in Hell for the disbelievers? 29:68

 

Is it other than God’s religion that they seek, when all who are in the heavens and the earth have submitted to Him, willingly or unwillingly, and to Him they will be returned? 3:83

 

Peace & God Bless.

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