Did Muhammad in Islam Learn to Read and Write?

One of the common misconceptions about the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in Islam is whether he could read or write. This article aims to clarify this issue by examining relevant verses from the Qur'an, Hadith, and scholarly interpretations.

Understanding the Context

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was born in seventh-century Arabia, a time when literacy was not considered a necessity for the majority of the population. In his early life, he worked as a trader for his wife Khadijah, where he would have encountered written documentation prepared by scribes, a common profession of the time. Muhammad (SAW) was renowned for his remarkable memory, a skill that was highly valued in his society.

Qur'anic Verses Addressing the Issue

Several verses from the Qur'an explicitly address this question. For instance, (Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 48) states:

“O Prophet! It was not for you to recite or to be of the literate, but it was of a giving of information, and the notification of the unseen, and the decision between mankind in the matters wherein they differed; and none knew its information but God, and surely He was the Illuminate. Yet, the people of the book desire, if you go back on what is with you of the revelation, to make it like the revelation of the former; but it is in the hands of God: surely none can know what is in the hands of God except He. Yet, the people of the book follow nothing but their desires, without knowledge; and they have no guidance and no light.”

Similarly, (Surah Al-A'raf, Verse 157) highlights:

“And indeed We have sent messengers to every people telling them that God demands their service of them, and surely, God is the supreme and perfect judge of every dispute. That is what We sent the apostles with as clear miracles, and We aided them with the mighty support of the angels: but God is powerful and all-encompassing. He is the supreme and perfect judge of every dispute. And so, O believers, follow not the footsteps of the evil one, for he is to you a clear enemy; and follow what has been sent down to you from your Lord and follow not the footsteps of the evil one. Surely, he urges you to do what is indecent and shameful, and what would cause everlasting torment. Will you not then be mindful?”

These verses clearly indicate that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was considered unlettered and did not recite or write before his revelations. The knowledge and revelations that came to him were of divine origin, often transmitted through Jibril (Gabriel).

Hadith on the Treaty of Hudaybiya

Hadith literature further clarifies the Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) condition in relation to reading and writing. One of the well-known Hadith relates to the Treaty of Hudaybiya, where the tribal leaders required him to sign his name. According to reliable Hadith sources, he was only able to do so with the assistance of some of his educated followers. This incident underscores the fact that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) could not sign his name without help, indicating a lack of literacy in the conventional sense.

Divine Accounts and Accountability

It is important to note that the divine account does not question the attributes or conduct of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Rather, it emphasizes accountability for actions and adherence to divine commandments. (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 134) provides an excellent example of this principle:

“That was the people of the former times; they have what they earned and you have what you earn: never will you be accountable for what they did.”

This verse emphasizes that divine judgement focuses on individual actions, not the Prophet's personal attributes or conduct.

Conclusion

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was unlettered and did not read or write. His remarkable memory and divine revelations were the basis of his prophetic mission. The understanding and worship of Allah do not depend on the individual's ability to read or write. This understanding is rooted in the teachings of the Qur'an and the Hadith, and it is essential for the faithful to understand and respect.

Keywords: Muhammad literacy, Islamic scripture reading, Prophet Muhammad education