Its a wrong belief that the Holy Prophet did not know how to read or write (Naauzubillah), what is the origin of this and how and why was is spread is beyond the scope of this article.
We Shias believe that the Holy Prophet did know how to read and write and he in fact had the entire knowledge in the universe. But if the Sunnis go through their own books of Hadees they would come to know the facts.
I quote below few references.
Bukhari Volume 1, Book 3, Number 65:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Once the Prophet wrote a
letter or had an idea of writing a letter. The Prophet was told
that they (rulers) would not read letters unless they were sealed. So the
Prophet got a silver ring made with "Muhammad Allah's Apostle"
engraved on it. As if I were just observing its white glitter in the hand of
the Prophet.
We read in the above hadees that one day the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w) either wrote a letter or intended to write a letter. The Prophet (s.a.w.w) writing a letter or even intending to write a letter is a clear proof of the fact that he knew how to read and write.
Bukhari Volume 1, Book 3, Number 114:
Narrated 'Ubaidullah bin 'Abdullah:
Ibn 'Abbas said, "When
the ailment of the Prophet became worse, he said, 'Bring for me (writing) paper
and I will write for you a statement after which you will not go astray.' But
'Umar said, 'The Prophet is seriously ill, and we have got Allah's Book with us
and that is sufficient for us.' But the companions of the Prophet differed
about this and there was a hue and cry. On that the
Prophet said to them, 'Go away (and leave me alone). It is not
right that you should quarrel in front of me." Ibn 'Abbas came out saying,
"It was most unfortunate (a great disaster) that Allah's Apostle was
prevented from writing that statement for them because of their disagreement
and noise. (Note: It is apparent from this Hadith that Ibn 'Abbes had witnessed
the event and came out saying this statement. The truth is not so, for Ibn
'Abbas used to say this statement on narrating the Hadith and he had not
witnessed the event personally.
The above hadees also states very clearly that the Holy Prophet was well versed with reading and writing skills. This is further strengthened by the fact that though the companions argued if pen and paper has to be given to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w) or not, non of them told the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) that O Prophet (s.a.w.w.) what would you do with pen or paper when you do not know how to write (Naauzubillah).
Third proof
Logically speaking the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w) is the best of Allah (s.w.t.)'s creation, best means he was the best in all aspects. He was the most handsome man of his times, the most generous, the most pious, the most helpful, the most brave and had all the good qualities in their superlative degree. On the other hand he was free from all the defects, Now being illiterate is a defect and if the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) has a defect then the blame goes straight on Allah (s.w.t.). This also proves that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) was far much educated than what human intellect can think of.
Fourth Proof
It is a known fact that the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu’Alayhi’Wassallam successfully managed the business operations of the Lady Khatija RA, and this is not descriptive of a person who could not read or write.Those who interpret ummi to mean illiterate appear to be forcing a meaning into the word which it does not readily yield.
Fifth Proof
The aayat of the Holy Quran normally put forward as an argument to prove that the Holy Prophet was unlettered is (62:2)
Translaton:
He it is who has sent unto the unlettered people an apostle from among themselves, to convey unto them His messages, and to cause them to grow in purity, and to impart unto them the divine writ as well as wisdom - whereas before that they were indeed, most obviously, lost in error
The above translation clearly states that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) was sent to convery the message of Allah (s.w.t.) purify the people, impart unto them the divine writ and wisdom.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) had not come to distribute the Holy Quran, but he had come to teach the Holy Quran and the one who has the responsibility of teaching the Quran should himself have the knowledge of what is written in it.
The Holy Quran says (6:59)
Translation:
With Him are the keys of the unseen, the treasures that none knoweth but He. He knoweth whatever there is on the earth and in the sea. Not a leaf doth fall but with His knowledge: there is not a grain in the darkness (or depths) of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry (green or withered), but is (inscribed) in a record clear (to those who can read)
As we see in the translation Allah (s.w.t.) says that there is nothing fresh or dry the knowledge of which is not there in the Holy Quran, There is no grain of sand on land but the knowledge of which is there in the Holy Quran. This means that the Holy Quran has the entire knowledge in the universe. So if the Holy Quran has got the entire knowledge in the universe and the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) had come to teach us the same then at he should have the entire knowledge in the universe (which includes knowing all types of languages, sciences, astronomy etc, etc, etc ....).This clearly shows that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) had knowledge far beyond human comprehension.
Sixth Proof:
As we read in the translation of the aayat (62:2) given above that Allah (s.w.t.) says that
"He it is who has sent unto the unlettered people an apostle from among themselves......"
The word ummi comes from the same root letters as Ummah, a very common word in the Noble Qur’an, meaning a people, community or nation. The above aayat makes it clear that ummi means that the nation or the people to whom the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w) were illiterate, and it in noway refers to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.)
Seventh Proof:
Translation:
And this is a Book which We have sent down, bringing blessings, and confirming (the revelations) which came before it: that thou mayest warn the mother of cities and all around her. Those who believe in the Hereafter believe in this (Book), and they are constant in guarding their prayers. (6:92)
Translation:
Thus have We sent by inspiration to thee an Arabic Qur'an: that thou mayest warn the Mother of Cities and all around her,- and warn (them) of the Day of Assembly, of which there is no doubt: (when) some will be in the Garden, and some in the Blazing Fire. (42:7)
Readers should note that the city of Mecca in those days was known as Ummul Qura or the" Mother of Cities" (the word Um means mother in arabic) as it was the first of the cities. As those residing in India are called Indians, and those in Australia as Australians similarly those residing in Ummul Qura were called Ummis. As a support to our argument we quote the following aayats from the Holy Quran
Eighth Proof:
Translation
READ in the name of thy Sustainer, who has (96:1)
The first aayats with Allah (s.w.t.) was from Surae Alaq 1 to5 in the very first Aayat Allah (s.w.t.) tells the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) to read. Now did Allah (s.w.t.) not know that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) did not know to read and write. Those who say that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) was unlettered put the blame straight on Allah (s.w.t.).
Ninth Proof:
Translation
or, behold, thou keepest indeed to a sublime way of life. (68:4)
Translation:
VERILY, in the Apostle of God you have a good example for everyone who looks forward [with hope and awe] to God and the Last Day, and remembers God unceasingly. (33:21)
There are people among us with extraordinary qualities. They look into a book for a few minutes and reproduce it without seeing it again! Then, why should the Prophet not possess such high qualities, and then how can the Holy Quran say that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w) is a good example for every body.
Tenth Proof:
Translation:
And but for God's favour upon thee and His grace, some of those [who are false to themselves] would indeed endeavour to lead thee astray; yet none but themselves do they lead astray. Nor can they harm thee in any way, since God has bestowed upon thee from on high this divine writ and [given thee] wisdom, and has imparted unto thee the knowledge of what thou didst not know. And God's favour upon thee is tremendous indeed. (4:113)
This verse clearly indicates that the Holy Prophet (saww) was taught by Allah (swt) and not by any fallible individual and its unanimously accepted fact that Prophet Muhamamd (saww) did not learn anything in this world from any one but was already taught everything by Allah (swt).
Conclusion
The above arguments make it amply clear that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) not only knew to read and write but he had the all the knowledge in the universe. His knowledge was far beyond human understanding. He was the most perfect and was an example for everybody.
My Question:
My question to the Muslim Umma is that if you believe that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) was not educated (Naauzubillah) then why don't you people follow his Sunnat and refrain from gaining knowledge and remain illiterate. Why do you people prefer to send you children to the best of the schools and colleges?
Why ?????????
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