Describing the Ummah as Illiterate
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Q: We often read in newspapers and see advertisements in the streets that condemn illiteracy and consider it a sign of backwardness. Allah the Exalted described this Ummah as illiterate, saying: [Al-Jumu'ah: 2]. So please clarify this for us?
A: The Ummah of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) consisted of Arabs and non-Arabs who did not read or write, and for this reason they were called illiterate. Those among them who could read and write were very few compared to the rest. Our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) did not read or write, as Allah the Sublime said: [Al-'Ankabut: 48]. This was among the proofs of the truth of his message and prophethood (peace and blessings be upon him); for he came to the people with a great Book that baffled the Arabs and non-Arabs. Allah revealed it to him, and the trustworthy spirit, Jibril (peace be upon him), brought it down to him. Allah also revealed to him the pure Sunnah and much knowledge from the knowledge of those before, and informed him of many things from the past, from what will happen in the end times, and from what will happen on the Day of Resurrection, just as He informed him of the conditions of Paradise and Hellfire and their inhabitants. This was a distinction by which Allah favored him over others, and by which He guided people to his high status and the nature of his message (peace and blessings be upon him).
The description of the Ummah as illiterate is not intended to encourage them to remain in that state; rather, the intent is to inform about their reality and condition when Allah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to them. The Book and the Sunnah indicate the encouragement to learn, to write, and to move beyond the description of illiteracy. Allah the Sublime said: [Az-Zumar: 9]. And He said: [Al-Mujadilah: 11].
And He said: [Fatir: 28]. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 2699a Narrated by Imam Muslim in his Sahih. He also said (peace and blessings be upon him): Sahih Muslim 1037a Agreed upon as authentic. The verses and hadiths in this meaning are numerous. And success is from Allah.
It is He who has sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves
هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْA: The Ummah of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) consisted of Arabs and non-Arabs who did not read or write, and for this reason they were called illiterate. Those among them who could read and write were very few compared to the rest. Our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) did not read or write, as Allah the Sublime said:
And you did not recite before it any scripture, nor did you inscribe one with your right hand. Otherwise the falsifiers would have had [cause for] doubt.
وَمَا كُنْتَ تَتْلُو مِنْ قَبْلِهِ مِنْ كِتَابٍ وَلا تَخُطُّهُ بِيَمِينِكَ إِذًا لارْتَابَ الْمُبْطِلُونَThe description of the Ummah as illiterate is not intended to encourage them to remain in that state; rather, the intent is to inform about their reality and condition when Allah sent Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to them. The Book and the Sunnah indicate the encouragement to learn, to write, and to move beyond the description of illiteracy. Allah the Sublime said:
Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?"
قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَO you who have believed, when you are told, "Space yourselves" in assemblies, then make space; Allah will make space for you. And when you are told, "Arise," then arise; Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينََ آمَنُوا إِذَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوا فِي الْمَجَالِسِ فَافْسَحُوا يَفْسَحِ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَإِذَا قِيلَ انْشُزُوا فَانْشُزُوا يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينََ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍAnd He said:
Only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge.
إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُhe who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allah would make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him
من سلك طريقا يلتمس فيه علما، سهل الله له به طريقا إلى الجنةHe upon whom Allah intends to bestow goodness, He confers upon him an insight in religion
من يرد الله به خيرا يفقهه في الدين
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.