Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

It is understood from Sura`Jumua` that the probhet (MPBH)was born among the illiterate people. But at the same time it is heard that the people were competing Qur`an with their literature. How it happened? Is there any contradiction in this

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Prophet(saws) born amongst ummi illeterate people

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 62 Surah Jumuah verse 2:

2 It is He (Allah) Who has sent amongst the ‘Ummi’ a Messenger from among themselves to rehearse to them His Signs to sanctify them and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom although they had been before in manifest error

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verses 157-158:

157 Those who follow the Messenger, the ‘Ummi’ Prophet whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures); in the Law and the Gospel; for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil: he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him honor him help him and follow the Light which is sent down with him it is they who will prosper."

158 Say: "O men! I am sent unto you all as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongs the Dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He that gives both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the ‘Ummi’ Prophet who believed in Allah and His Words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided."

In Arabic terminology, an ‘Ummi’ is not necessarily one who is illiterate or one who does not know how to read and write; but because the Arab nation, unlike the ‘People of the Book’, had not received any specific Divine Scriptures or Divine Laws in their language, they were termed and recognized as an ‘Ummi’ or unlettered nation and people by the ‘People of the Book’, especially the Jews.

It was not that all the Arabs of Makkah were illiterate or did not know how to read and write; but the fact is that the pagan Arabs were extremely proud of their culture, and their language, and their literature, and poetry, and prose. Many amongst the Arabs, especially the Arabs of Makkah were proficient writers of literature and poetry and well acclaimed throughout the region for their composition in the Arabic language.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan