The Unschooled Prophet (sw) by Murtadha Mutahhari - Summary of Book

 The Unschooled Prophet (sw)

An Analysis of "The Unschooled Prophet" by Murtadha Mutahhari

This paper examines the question of whether the Prophet Muhammad was literate. It is an important question because, as the author points out, Muhammad's illiteracy would be evidence of the divine origin of the Quran. If Muhammad could not read or write, then he could not have authored the Quran himself, nor could he have plagiarized it from existing sources.

The Prophet's Illiteracy in the Pre-Prophetic Period

The author first establishes that the Prophet was illiterate before his prophetic mission, citing both Muslim and non-Muslim historians. For example, he quotes Gustav LeBon, who states in his book The Civilization of Islam and the Arabs that "It is well-known that the Prophet was unschooled."

The paper also explains that only a small number of people in the Hijaz region of Arabia were literate at the time of Islam's advent. If the Prophet had been literate, his name would have been known, but it is absent from the historical records of the time.

The Meaning of the Word "Ummi"

The paper then addresses the use of the word ummi in the Quran to describe the Prophet. Some argue that this word does not actually mean "illiterate" but rather "unfamiliar with the scriptures."

However, the author argues that the word ummi does mean "illiterate" in this context and that it is related to the Arabic word for "mother" (umm). Just as a newborn baby is unfamiliar with human knowledge, so too was the Prophet before his prophetic mission.

The author discusses other possible meanings of ummi, such as "inhabitant of Umm al-Qura" (Mecca) or "polytheists who were not followers of the book," but he ultimately concludes that none of these meanings are supported by the context of the Quranic verses.

Evidence from the Prophetic Period

The paper then examines whether the Prophet may have become literate after his prophetic mission began. The author notes that some scholars argue that it would be illogical for God to reveal a book to a man who could not read.

However, the paper refutes this argument by pointing out that the Prophet frequently instructed his followers to learn to read and write. For example, he offered to free prisoners of war if they would teach literacy to Muslim children. This suggests that the Prophet recognized the importance of literacy for the Muslim community, even if he was not literate himself.

The author also analyzes certain events from the Prophet's life, such as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Some accounts state that the Prophet erased a phrase from the treaty and wrote a different phrase himself. However, other accounts say that he simply instructed someone else to make the change. While acknowledging this discrepancy in the sources, the author concludes that the preponderance of evidence suggests that the Prophet did not personally write anything at the time of the treaty.

The Significance of the Prophet's Illiteracy

The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of the Prophet's illiteracy for understanding the nature of the Quran. He argues that the Quran's eloquence and wisdom are even more remarkable considering that it was revealed to a man who had never received any formal education. The paper cites the words of Imam Ali al-Rida, who pointed out that Muhammad "brought a book in which there are the stories of prophets and the information regarding both past and future generations" despite never having "read any books." This, the paper argues, is proof of the miraculous nature of the Quran.

Ibn Khaldun on the Prophet's Illiteracy

Ibn Khaldun asserts that the Prophet Muhammad's illiteracy was an "accomplishment" because it indicated that his knowledge came directly from God.

• The sources explain that Ibn Khaldun believed that the perfection of writing is tied to social living. Humans need to share knowledge with each other, and writing allows them to do so. Ibn Khaldun traced the development of writing across civilizations, noting that the technical aspects of writing evolved as societies progressed.
• For Ibn Khaldun, being illiterate was a flaw in the context of human society because it hindered one's ability to access and contribute to the collective knowledge. However, the Prophet Muhammad's illiteracy set him apart. His knowledge was not derived from human sources but was revealed to him through divine inspiration.

The sources explain that the value of literacy lies in its function as a "key" to the knowledge of others. However, the Prophet had no need for such a key because his knowledge came directly from the source. His lack of formal education, therefore, highlighted the divine origin of his message.

What evidence does the author use to dispute the claim that the Prophet Muhammad could read and write before his prophethood?

Evidence Against the Prophet's Literacy in the Pre-Prophetic Period

The author of "The Unschooled Prophet" presents several arguments against the claim that the Prophet Muhammad could read and write before receiving the Quranic revelation. These arguments draw upon historical accounts, the context of Arabian society at the time, and analysis of specific Quranic verses.

• Historical Evidence: The sources emphasize that literacy was rare in the Hijaz region of Arabia at the time of the Prophet. The names of those who could read and write were meticulously recorded, yet the Prophet's name is absent from these records. This strongly suggests that he, like the majority of his contemporaries, was illiterate. If he had been literate, it would have been a notable fact, and his name would have been included in the historical accounts of literate individuals.
• The Meaning of "Ummi": The Quran describes the Prophet as "ummi," and the author explores the various interpretations of this word. While some argue that "ummi" could mean "unfamiliar with the scriptures," the author contends that the most likely meaning is "illiterate." He supports this by analyzing the etymology of the word, connecting it to the Arabic word for "mother" ("umm"). Just as a newborn baby is unfamiliar with human knowledge and writing, so too was the Prophet before his prophetic mission.
• Explicit Quranic Statements: The author points to verses in the Quran that explicitly state that the Prophet did not read or write before receiving the revelation. Verse 48 of Surah 29 states, “And you did not read before it any book, nor did you write one with your right hand, for then those, who say untrue things, could have doubted.” This verse directly addresses the issue of literacy, making it clear that the Prophet was not engaging in reading or writing prior to his prophethood.
• The author also examines verse 52 of Surah 42, which states: "And thus We revealed to you a spirit by Our command. You did not know what a writing or a faith was ..." While some interpretations focus solely on the Prophet's unfamiliarity with scriptures, the verse's broader reference to "writing" supports the argument that he was generally illiterate.
• The Silence of the Prophet's Opponents: The sources note that even those who opposed the Prophet and accused him of various things never claimed that he was literate. If the Prophet had been able to read and write, his opponents would have likely used this fact to argue that he had simply plagiarized the Quran from existing sources. Their silence on this matter further supports the argument that he was illiterate.

Source - The Unschooled Prophet