Prophecy and Illiteracy: The Meaning of ʔummij in the Holy Qur'an

Abstract

The epithet ʔummij (as well as the plural form ʔummijūn) that appears in the Holy Qur'an six times does not mean ‘illiterate’ or ‘unlettered’ in the Qur'anic context, as conventionally claimed by main Qur'anic interpreters and scholars (for example Al-Qurṭubi [d. 671/1223]; Al-Suyuṭi [d. 911/1505]; Ibn Kaṯir [d. 774/ 1373]; Al-Tabari [d. 310/922]). Rather, it denotes, as this paper argues, the lack of theological knowledge of heavenly scripture. This epithet is used to describe people in the Arabian Peninsula who lack theological knowledge in Allah's sacred doctrine and to introduce Prophet Muḥammad as Allah's messenger who receives prophecy and becomes Allah's messenger without having theological pre-knowledge of heavenly scripture. This reasoning helps us resolve the apparent complexities caused by the orthodox views of this epithet and provides a solid footing for understanding several Qur'anic verses where Prophet Muḥammad, rather than any other prophet, is either warned or taught by Allah to conduct specific tasks. Keywords: Lexicography; textual analysis; Holy Qur'an; illiteracy; theology; Prophet Muḥammad.