On the issue of Muhammad’s illiteracy written by a former Iraqi Muslim convert:
light-of-life.com/eng/answer/a4990et2.htm#p120
- IGNORANCE AND ILLITERACY
Table of Contents
In their attempt to prove the divine inspiration of the Qur’an, the Islamists depend on Muhammad’s illiteracy and ignorance of everything to do with reading and writing. But was Muhammad illiterate in the sense that he could not read or write? And what are the reasons that have led Muslims to believe in their leader’s illiteracy?
Historical accounts do not give a definite answer either way on this issue. The historians who wrote the biography of Muhammad emphasised his illiteracy, and the fact that he never went to a tutor or received any human teaching, yet there are still some records that confirm his knowledge of reading and writing as reported by these same historians.
This obvious contradiction in history as handed down through the ages has caused people nowadays to conclude that Muhammad was not illiterate all his life long, but that he received this knowledge of reading and writing from God through Gabriel.
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar says, “The Prophet was illiterate, and that is why the Qur’an is so miraculous by nature. When Islam had spread and he was sure that no one would be suspicious (of his being the compiler of the Qur’an), he learnt how to read and write”! Ibn Sheba says, “The Messenger of God, peace be upon him, died only after he had learned to read and write.” al-Tubrusi adds, “As for the time after he was chosen to be a prophet, there was no reason for anyone to harbour suspicion against him; therefore it is possible that he learnt to read and write.”
There are therefore records which indicate for certain that Muhammad was literate, and not illiterate, which led Muslim scholars to believe he learnt after he had been appointed a prophet. But these do not stand on solid ground, since that which they claim is corroborated neither by Qur’anic evidence nor by personal testimony. All they offer are personal efforts to justify the incidents reported by historians that deny the allegation that Muhammad was illiterate!
It was reported in a book written by Dr Muhammad ibn Abdalla Othman on the style of writing adopted by Othman, “The Prophet, peace be upon him, laid the foundation for the writing of the inspiration in the Qur’an. He said, among other things, to Muaawia, ‘Prepare the ink-pot, sharpen the pen, lay the ba stretched, tooth the seen well. Do not blotch the meem’s eye, shape the letters of Allah beautifully, stretch those of “the All-compassionate” (Ar-rahman), and write those of “the All-merciful” (Ar-raheem) as clearly as possible. Put your pen on your left ear; this will better remind you!”
The books written on the life of Muhammad relate that it was Muhammad who wrote the reconciliation of Hudaibia himself. It was said in his biography written by Ibn Hisham, “… and we have with us the Messenger of God, peace be upon him, who can write, together with Suhail.”
It was likewise said in al-Bukhari, “And the Messenger of God took the book to write, and wrote, ‘This is that which Muhammad agreed upon…’” It was said in al-Tabari as well, when he was in much pain during his final days, that he said, “Fetch me the inkwell and a book that I may write to you a writing therewith you will never go astray after me.”
Abu Bakr reported that the Messenger of God “just before he died asked for an inkwell and a pen, and wrote down the name of his successor.” Moreover, al-Hamathaani said in al-Ikleel that "the Arabs used to call all those who read or write ‘Sabians,’ and Quraish called the prophet, peace be upon him, ‘a Sabian’ when he used to call people in Mecca to Islam, and recite the Qur’an.
These reports may seem to be contradictory to a widespread historical account, which, according to historians, was the first encounter between Muhammad and Gabriel. It is when Gabriel ordered him, “Read (or recite).” Muhammad answered, “I am not one to read (or recite).”
It may be true that this report is contradictory to the previous ones, but al-Tabari narrates the incident in a way that is in keeping with what we held previously. He reported that Ibnul Zubair said, “The Messenger of God, peace be upon him, said, ‘And a prophet in silk came to me while I was asleep, who had a book. He said, “Recite.” I said, “What do I recite?” Then he enveloped me in such a manner that I thought he was Death, and sent saying, “Recite.” Then I said, “What shall I recite?” He answered, “Recite, in the Name of thy Lord who created…”’”
if you read the verse it says “…we ordained for the Children of Israel…”
