Was Muhammad (pbuh) literate?
Q. Muslims only claim that Muhammad was illiterate because they do not wish to admit that he wrote the Qur’an. They want to substantiate the miraculous nature of the Qur’an by claiming that Muhammad could not write. A. The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was indeed illiterate. This fact of history will not change even if Muslims or non-Muslims wish it were otherwise. The Qur’an is a source contemporary with the Prophet. This book acknowledges that the prophet could neither read nor write. Even Dr. Anis Shorrosh, admits that biological references in the Qur’an are invaluable because they are contemporary with Muhammad (Islam Revealed, p. 47). Here are some Qur’anic references to the illiteracy of the prophet: 7:157; 29:46; 62:2 If Muhammad were indeed literate Muslims would not need to hide it. The fact that God revealed the Qur’an would not change even if Muhammad were literate. When his contemporaries heard the Qur’an many remarked: “This is no less than divine speech.” Those who believed saw
