Was Prophet Mohammad Illiterate?

The generally accepted idea in Islam is that Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) could not read or write. However, there is serious discussion among both independent and more traditional scholars as to whether the Arabic word ummi means instead “unlearned in Divine scripture,” or “gentile,” which also implies lacking knowledge of scripture, i.e., Divine revelations sent prior to the Quran. The argument really isn’t immediately clear from the word ummi in particular until one examines it more closely, but rather this one quite striking aya:

The Seen vs the Unseen Al-Ghaib, Angels, & the Finality: Separate Realities

In modern society many people think all knowledge is in some way scientific and empirical. But what we miss is an understanding of the purpose and meaning of life, basic morals and common decency, and of course, matters of faith, including what happens after death, the question of Judgment Day, and related symbols or “signs.” The Quran speaks of two worlds, the “witnessed” and the unseen or الغيب alghaib which is beyond our perception. And the “witnessed” simply means that which we have observed. Nothing under the category of alghaib “the unseen” is more significant than Al-Akhira, The Finality, or Resurrection/ Judgment Day. Its reality is described in the Quran as Truth itself, when everything we could not know in empirically evident detail (due to its nature) in this world will become absolutely evident. From this we can begin to understand that we are expected to trust in Allah b’al-ghaib meaning without directly perceiving and there are powerful reasons for this. 

Surat Al-Qadr 97, Night of Celestial Power

This spectacular sura appears to be simple and easy to understand, but examined in greater depth, unleashes its power, as shown in the analysis below.

Time Meets Timelessness: How the Quran Was Sent Down

(Page from the Blue Quran)

One could say the Quran is a book from the timeless perspective sent down in time. Indeed, it was sent down on a specific night, Laylat Al-Qadr, the “Night of Decree/ Meting Out,” a single night in Ramadan described as being “better than a thousand months” (Surat Al-Qadr 97:3) in which “descended the angels and the Spirit …with the permission of their Lord to carry out every matter.” (Surat Al-Qadr 97:4) The sheer power of that night indicates the weight and importance, from the Divine perspective, of the event of a timeless message being “sent down” (one envisions here a physical event, not merely “inspiration”) in time.

How Divine Revelations Are Sent

How divine revelations are sent to humankind is very clearly elucidated in the Qur’an, and is in stark contrast to the idea of “inspiration.” It begins with the powerful and very physical “sending down,” which is only through the archangel Jibreel (Gabriel), who is also described as “shadeed al-quwa,” meaning “possessing very strong/great powers.” The human recipient of the revelation is always and only a prophet, chosen by Allah, who has certain recognizable characteristics which set him apart from most others.