im not sure...BUT when the angel jibril came to him and told him to read he said he cant and the angel told him to read and he said he cant and all that then he somehow was able to read by the miracles of allah...mashallah...so i think he was only literate for the quran or maybe he was able to read after he read the quran..not sure.sorry
Q. Muslims only claim that Muhammad was illiterate because they do not wish to admit that he wrote the Qur'an. They want to substantiate the miraculous nature of the Qur'an by claiming that Muhammad could not write. A. The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was indeed illiterate. This fact of history will not change even if Muslims or non-Muslims wish it were otherwise. The Qur'an is a source contemporary with the Prophet. This book acknowledges that the prophet could neither read nor write. Even Dr. Anis Shorrosh, admits that biological references in the Qur'an are invaluable because they are contemporary with Muhammad (Islam Revealed, p. 47). Here are some Qur'anic references to the illiteracy of the prophet: 7:157; 29:46; 62:2 If Muhammad were indeed literate Muslims would not need to hide it. The fact that God revealed the Qur'an would not change even if Muhammad were literate. When his contemporaries heard the Qur'an many remarked: "This is no less than divine speech." Those who believed saw it not as the speech of a literate man but as the speech of no man whether literate or illiterate.
The prophet (pbuh) was indeed illiterate, this makes the revalation a miracle in its self. In 610 AD he was visited in the cave during his sleep by the archangel Gabriel with a paper in his hand. Gabriel demanded, "read". Muhammad responded, "I don't read". Gabriel choked Muhammad for an instant then repeated his demand and Muhammad repeated his response. Gabriel choked Muhammad again for an instant and repeated his demand. Fearing to be choked for a third time, Muhammad asked, "Read what?" Gabriel responded, "Read in the name of your Lord who created... [Qur'an 96 :1]"
In the name of (Allah) God, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
that site is trying to confuse ppl... the prophet wasnt able to read anything until the quran was brought down and that was a miracle of allah both the quaan being brought down and that he was able to read..
I understand well that the Prophet was illiterate but the fact that this is a MUSLIM site claiming otherwise is strange and I was looking for a refutation of their points bro.
I understand well that the Prophet was illiterate but the fact that this is a MUSLIM site claiming otherwise is strange and I was looking for a refutation of their points bro.
A very interesting article - thanks for posting it.
It refers to letters written by the Prophet (pbuh). Is there anyone here with the knowledge to comment on how authentic these letters are meant to be? Are they forgeries of some kind, perhaps?
I understand well that the Prophet was illiterate but the fact that this is a MUSLIM site claiming otherwise is strange and I was looking for a refutation of their points bro.
The prophet (pbuh) was indeed illiterate, this makes the revalation a miracle in its self.
Why is that?
Quran is not that long of a book and it doesn't seem to be hard to remember, there's a topic about a guy who needed two months or so. How long did it take for the entire Quran to be revealed?
I'm sure you're gonna say, there's miracles in the Quran.... the only thing I perceive as "miracles" are the numerical oddities, which given the amount of time Muhammad had for the creation of the Quran and obvious intelligence he possessed, can't have been that hard to incorporate in a book, regardless of his (il)literracy. The human mind is an extraordinary thing.
Yeah that site's the problem. Don't take from them as they are not considered Muslims by the consensus of the Muslims. They follow a man called Rashad Khalifa who tried to remove verses from the Qur'an and claimed himself as a Prophet, and these people are his followers. Following them and reading their material will only lead one away from Islam, so guard yourself.
As for the original question, then yes, indeed the Messenger was illiterate, and this fact isn't something Muslims ought to hide or be ashamed of; in fact it is honor and a decisive proof of his Prophethood and truthfulness that he was illiterate as an illiterate man cannot come up with the likes of the literary perfection of the Qur'an. Therefore the Qur'an cannot be anything else except revelation from Allaah.
The proof of this is in the Qur'an itself:
{Those who follow the messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, whom they will find described in the Torah and the Gospel (which are) with them. He will enjoin on them that which is right and forbid them that which is wrong. He will make lawful for them all good things and prohibit for them only the foul; and he will relieve them of their burden and the fetters that they used to wear. Then those who believe in him, and honour him, and help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him: they are the successful. Say (O Muhammad): O mankind! Lo! I am the messenger of Allah to you all - (the messenger of) Him unto Whom belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. There is no Allah save Him. He quickeneth and He giveth death. So believe in Allah and His messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write, who believeth in Allah and in His Words, and follow him that haply ye may be led aright.}[al-'Araf; 157-158]
Last edited by Ibn Abi Ahmed; 01-31-2008 at 09:04 PM.
“Do not argue with your Lord on behalf of your soul, rather argue with your soul on behalf of your Lord.” - Dhul-Nun
"It is the very pursuit of happiness that thwarts happiness." - Victor Frankl
I believe that we should not refer to our beloved Prophet (pbuh) as illiterate as that is most disrespectful, the correct term is that the Prophet (pbuh) was unlearned.
Allah knows best
wasalam
Rezvana
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks