Understanding the Prophet’s Literacy: A Quranic Perspective
Question: Is there any hadith that proves the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) knew how to read and write after prophethood?
Answer: Allah has referred to the Prophet (ﷺ) as Ummi (illiterate) in several places in the Quran, meaning he was unlettered. The Quran explicitly clarifies that the Prophet (ﷺ) could neither read from a book nor write with his hand. Allah says in the Quran:
Neither did you (O Muhammad ﷺ) read any book before it (this Quran), nor did you write any book (whatsoever) with your right hand. In that case, indeed, the followers of falsehood might have doubted. (Al-Ankabut: 48).
This is why, during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, when the polytheists objected to the words “Messenger of Allah” written in the agreement, the Prophet (ﷺ) asked Ali to show him where those words were written. When it was pointed out to him, he erased them and told Ali to write “Muhammad, the son of Abdullah” instead. The Prophet (ﷺ) appointed several companions to transcribe the Quran and also commanded them to write down the hadith. In conclusion, the Prophet (ﷺ) did not know how to read or write, either before or after prophethood.
Respondent: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah
Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia
Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail