Summary:
It is alleged, by a minority of Muslims, that the last Prophet, Mohammed-saww could neither write nor read. However, this is not said about the previous Prophets-as, e.g., about Prophet Musa-as, Allah-azwj Says:
And We wrote (down) about everything for him on the Tablets (of the Torah) as an admonition and making all things clear. ‘Hold to them strongly, and command your people to adopt the best in it, I will show you the home of the deviators! (7:145)
Similarly, Prophet Isa-as could read, as Allah-azwj Narrates what he-as uttered as a baby in the lap of his mother (in the defence of adversaries who were attacking the honour of his mother):
He said, ‘I am indeed a servant of Allah. He has given me the Book and made me a Prophet (19:30).’
So, what is the point in giving someone a book who cannot read it? Hence, all Prophets-as were taught by Allah-azwj, and not by the people, and so how could it be that the chief of the Prophets (Mohammed-saww) could not read or write? Allah-azwj Defends His-azwj last Prophet-saww in this regard, by citing in the Holy Quran (87:6):
سَنُقْرِئُكَ فَلَا تَنْسَىٰ {6}
We will Make you (O Prophet) read, so you will not forget [87:6]
The historical evidence of the writing of the Prophet Mohammed-saww is narrated by many histories during the Treaty of Hudaybiyya, when Suheyl Bin Amro refused to accept the statement: ‘This is the treaty formed by Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah.’ Suhayl told him-saww to remove it. He said that if he accepted him as Messenger, there would be no need for the treaty in the first place. Imam Ali-asws refused to remove the name of the Prophet-saww out of respect. So, the Prophet-saww himself took the pen and removed it himself-saww and in its place wrote ‘Muhammad, son of Abdullah.’[1]
Introduction:
Some Muslims allege that Prophet Muhammad-saww could neither write nor read (Nauzobillah)! In the first revealed Holy Verse, however, Allah-azwj Commands Prophet Muhammad-saww to read! Allah-azwj Knew very well that His Prophet-saww could read.
اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ {1}
Read in the Name of your Lord Who Created! [96:1]
عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مَنْصُورِ بْنِ الْعَبَّاسِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ السَّرِيِّ عَنْ عَمِّهِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ السَّرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ أَوَّلُ مَا نَزَلَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ وَ آخِرُهُ إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ
A number of our companions, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, and Sahl Bin Ziyad, from Mansour Bin Al Abbas, from Muhammad Bin Al Hassan Al Sarriy, from his uncle Ali Bin Al Sariy,
(It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah-asws having said: ‘The first of what was Revealed upon Rasool-Allah-saww was In the Name of Allah-azwj the Beneficent, the Merciful, Read in the name of your Lord Who Created [96:1] and the last of it (Chapter Revealed) was When there comes the help of Allah and the victory [110:1].’[2]
Also in the Holy Quran, Allah-azwj Says:
الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ {4}
Who Taught (you) by the Pen [96:4]
الحسن بن أبي الحسن الديلمي: بإسناده إلى محمد بن الفضيل، عن أبي الحسن موسى (عليه السلام)، قال: سألته عن قول الله عز و جل: ن وَ الْقَلَمِ وَ ما يَسْطُرُونَ: «فالنون اسم لرسول الله (صلى الله عليه و آله)، و القلم اسم لأمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام)
Al-Hassan Bin Abu Al-Hassan Al-Daylami, by his chain going up to Muhammad Bin Al-Fazeyl, who has narrated the following:
‘I asked Abu Al-Hassan Musa-asws about the Words of Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic: Noon and the Pen, and what they will be writing! [68:1], he-asws said: ‘So the (letter) Noon is a name of the Rasool-Allah-saww, and the Pen is a name of Amir Al-Momineen-asws.’’[3]
تفسير العياشي عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحِيمِ الْقَصِيرِ قَالَ: كُنْتُ يَوْماً مِنَ الْأَيَّامِ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ يَا عَبْدَ الرَّحِيمِ قُلْتُ لَبَّيْكَ قَالَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ إِنَّما أَنْتَ مُنْذِرٌ وَ لِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هادٍ إِذْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنَا الْمُنْذِرُ وَ عَلِيٌّ الْهَادِي مَنِ الْهَادِي الْيَوْمَ
Tafseer Al Ayyashi – From Abdul Raheem Al Qaseyr who said,
‘One day from the days I was in the presence of Abu Ja’far-asws. He-asws said: ‘O Abdul Raheem!’ I said, ‘At your-asws service!’ He-asws said: ‘Words of Allah-azwj: But rather, you are a Warner, and for every people there is a Guide [13:7]. Then Rasool-Allah-saww said: ‘I-saww am the warner and Ali-asws is the guide.’ Who is the guide today?
قَالَ فَسَكَتُّ طَوِيلًا ثُمَّ رَفَعْتُ رَأْسِي فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هِيَ فِيكُمْ تَوَارَثُونَهَا رَجُلٌ فَرَجُلٌ حَتَّى انْتَهَتْ إِلَيْكَ فَأَنْتَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الْهَادِي
He (the narrator) said, ‘I was silent for a long time. Then I raised my head and I said, ‘May I be sacrificed for you-asws! It is among you, being inherited by a man to a man until it ended up to you-asws. So, you-asws, may I be sacrificed for you-asws, are the guidance.’’
قَالَ صَدَقْتَ يَا عَبْدَ الرَّحِيمِ إِنَّ الْقُرْآنَ حَيٌّ لَا يَمُوتُ وَ الْآيَةَ حَيَّةٌ لَا تَمُوتُ فَلَوْ كَانَتِ الْآيَةُ إِذَا نَزَلَتْ فِي الْأَقْوَامِ مَاتُوا مَاتَتِ الْآيَةُ لَمَاتَ الْقُرْآنُ وَ لَكِنْ هِيَ جَارِيَةٌ فِي الْبَاقِينَ كَمَا جَرَتْ فِي الْمَاضِينَ
He-asws said: ‘You speak the truth, O Abdul Rahman! The Quran is alive, will not be dying, and the Verses are alive, will not be dying. If the Verse, when it was Revealed regarding (a certain) people, (and) they died, so the Verse would have died, the Quran would die. But it flows in the remainder, just as it had flowed in the past.’
وَ قَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّحِيمِ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ الْقُرْآنَ حَيٌّ لَمْ يَمُتْ وَ إِنَّهُ يَجْرِي كَمَا يَجْرِي اللَّيْلُ وَ النَّهَارُ وَ كَمَا يَجْرِي الشَّمْسُ وَ الْقَمَرُ وَ يَجْرِي عَلَى آخِرِنَا كَمَا يَجْرِي عَلَى أَوَّلِنَا
And Abdul Rahman said, ‘Abu Abdullah-asws said: ‘The Quran is alive, not dead, and it flows just as the night and the day flows, and just as the sun and the moon flow, it flows upon our-asws last one just as it had flowed upon our-asws first one.’’[4]
The Sura Pen (68), which is the second Sura revealed, says the only function of the pen is to write.
ن ۚ وَالْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ {1}
(I Say by) Noon and (By) the Pen, and what they will be writing (record)! [68:1]
الحسن بن أبي الحسن الديلمي: بإسناده إلى محمد بن الفضيل، عن أبي الحسن موسى (عليه السلام)، قال: سألته عن قول الله عز و جل: ن وَ الْقَلَمِ وَ ما يَسْطُرُونَ: «فالنون اسم لرسول الله (صلى الله عليه و آله)، و القلم اسم لأمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام)
Al-Hassan Bin Abu Al-Hassan Al-Daylami, by his chain going up to Muhammad Bin Al-Fazeyl, who has narrated the following:
‘I asked Abu Al-Hassan Musa-asws about the Words of Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic: Noon and the Pen, and what they will be writing! [68:1], he-asws said: ‘So the (letter) Noon is a name of the Rasool-Allah-saww, and the Pen is a name of Amir Al-Momineen-asws.’’[5]
In Verse 25:5, Allah-azwj Says, Prophet Muhammad-saww regularly Writes Verses Revealed onto him-saww:
وَقَالُوا أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ اكْتَتَبَهَا فَهِيَ تُمْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا {5}
And they are saying, ‘Stories of the former ones! He had these written down, and these are being dictated to him (in the) morning and evening’ [25:5]
See a Hadith in the Appendix, describing the background of the above Verse:
ثم قال علي بن إبراهيم، و في رواية أبي الجارود، عن أبي جعفر (عليه السلام)، في قوله: إِلَّا إِفْكٌ افْتَراهُ قال: «الإفك: الكذب وَ أَعانَهُ عَلَيْهِ قَوْمٌ آخَرُونَ يعنون أبا فكيهة، و حبرا ، و عداسا، و عابسا مولى حويطب
Then Ali Bin Ibrahim said, ‘And in a report of Abu Al-Jaroud,
(It has been narrated) from Abu Ja’far-asws regarding His-azwj Words: ‘Surely this is only a lie. He fabricated it [25:4], he-asws said: ‘Al-Ifak (الإفك) – is the lie, and he is being assisted upon it by other people – meaning Abu Fakeyhat, and Habra, and Adasa, and Abasa the slave of Huweytab.
و قوله: أَساطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ اكْتَتَبَها فهو قول النضر بن الحارث بن علقمة بن كلدة، قال: أساطير الأولين اكتتبها محمد، فهي تملى عليه بكرة و أصيلا
‘And His-azwj Words: Stories of the former ones! He had these written down – This is the speech of Al-Nazar Bin Al-Haris Bin Alqama Bin Kaldat who said, ‘Stories of the former ones! Muhammad-saww had these written out, and these are being dictated to him (in the) morning and evening [25:5].’’[6]
So, it was well known among the non-believers of that time that Prophet Muhammad-saww could read as well as write. So why did some Muslims think that the Holy Prophet was illiterate (Na’uzubillah)? We look at the Holy Verse, which is frequently presented in support of their assumption.
Why do they Allege that Prophet Muhammad-saww was Illiterate (Nauzobillah)?
Some Muslims have assumed that holy Prophet-saww was illiterate (na’uzubillah) based on the following Verse:
الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِنْدَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنْجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُ ۙ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ {157}
Those who are following the Rasool, the Prophet, the Ummy (Makkan) whom they are finding written with them in the Torah and the Evangel (that) he would be instructing them with the good things and forbidding them from the evil, and permitting for them the good things and prohibiting upon them the bad, and removing from them their burdens and their shackles which would be upon them. So those who believe in him, and assist him, and help him, and follow the Light which descends with him, they would be the successful ones [7:157]
The meaning of ‘Ummy’
حدثنا احمد بن محمد عن ابى عبد الله البرقى عن جعفر بن محمد الصوفى قال سألت ابا جعفر عليه السلام محمد بن على الرضا عليه السلام وقلت له يابن رسول الله لم سمى النبي الامي قال ما يقول الناس قال قلت له جعلت فداك يزعمون انما سمى النبي الامي لانه لم يكتب
It has been narrated to us Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Abu Abdullah Al-Barqy, from Ja’far Bin Muhammad Al-Sowfy who said:
‘I said to Abu Ja’far-asws, ‘O son of Rasool-Allah-saww, why was the Prophet-saww called ‘Al-Ummy’?’ He-asws said: ‘What do the people say.’ I said to him-asws, ‘May I be sacrificed for you-asws, they are alleging that the Prophet-saww was called ‘Al-Ummy’ because he-saww could not write.’
فقال كذبوا عليهم لعنة الله انى يكون ذلك والله تبارك وتعالى يقول في محكم كتابه هو الذى بعث في الاميين رسولا منهم يتلوا عليهم آياته ويزكيهم ويعلمهم الكتاب والحكمة
‘He-asws said: ‘They are lying about him-saww, may Allah-azwj Curse them! I-asws say that, and Allah-azwj Blessed and Exalted has Said in His-azwj Decisive Book: He is the One Who Sent among the inhabitants of Makkah, a Rasool from them, reciting His Verses upon them and purifying them, and teaching them the Book and the Wisdom [62:2].
فكيف كان يعلمهم مالا يحسن والله لقد كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله يقرأ ويكتب باثنين وسبعين أو بثلثة وسبعين لسانا وانما سمى الامي لانه كان من اهل مكة و مكة من امهات القرى وذلك قول الله تعالى في كتابه لتنذر ام القرى ومن حولها
‘‘How was he-saww able to teach them if he-saww was not good in it. By Allah-azwj! Rasool-Allah-saww was able to read and write in seventy two to seventy three languages, and he-saww has been called ‘Al-Ummy’ because he-saww was an inhabitant of Mecca, and Makkah is the mother (Umm) of all towns, and these are the Words of Allah-azwj the Exalted in His-azwj Book: And like that We Reveal to you an Arabic Quran for you to warn the mother town and ones around it [42:7].’[8]
حدثنا عبد الله بن محمد عن الحسن بن موسى الخشاب عن على بن اسباط أو غيره قال قلت لابي جعفر عليه السلام ان الناس يزعمون ان رسول الله لم يكن يكتب ولا يقرأ
It has been narrated to us Abdullah Bin Muhammad, from Al-Hassan Bin Musa Al-Khashaab, from Ali Bin Asbaat or someone else, said:
‘I said to Abu Ja’far-asws, ‘The people are alleging that Rasool-Allah-saww was neither able to write, nor able to read.’
فقال كذبوا لعنهم الله انى ذلك وقد قال الله هو الذى بعث في الاميين رسولا منهم يتلوا عليهم آياته ويزكيهم ويعلمهم الكتاب والحكمة وان كانوا من قبل لفى ضلال مبين فيكون ان يعلمهم الكتاب الحكمة وليس ويحسن ان يقرأ ويكتب
‘He-asws said: ‘They are lying, may Allah-azwj Curse them for that, and Allah-azwj has Said: He is the One Who Sent among the inhabitants of Makkah, a Rasool from them, reciting His Verses upon them and purifying them, and teaching them the Book and the Wisdom [62:2], and he-saww taught them the Book and the Wisdom while he-saww was not literate? But he-asws was excellent in reading and writing.’
قال قلت فلم سمى النبي صلى الله عليه وآله اميا قال نسبت إلى مكة وذلك قول الله عزوجل لتنذر ام القرى ومن حولها فام القرى المكة فقيل امى لذلك
‘I said, ‘Why was the Prophet-saww called Ummy?’ He-asws said: ‘In association to Mecca, and these are the Words of Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic: And like that We Reveal to you an Arabic Quran for you to warn the mother town and ones around it [42:7].’ The mother city is Mecca. He-saww was called Ummy for that.’’ [9]
ابن بابويه، قال: حدثنا أبي، قال: حدثنا سعد بن عبد الله، عن أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى، عن أبي عبد الله محمد بن خالد البرقي، عن جعفر بن محمد الصوفي، قال سألت أبا جعفر محمد بن علي الرضا (عليهما السلام)، فقلت: يا بن رسول الله، لم سمي النبي (صلى الله عليه و آله) الأمي؟ فقال: «ما يقول الناس؟» قلت: يزعمون أنه إنما سمي الأمي لأنه لم يحسن أن يكتب
Ibn Babuwayh said that it has been narrated from Sa’d Bin Abdullah, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad Bin Isa, from Abu Abdullah Muhammad Bin Khalid Al-Barqy, from Ja’far Bin Muhammad Al-Sowfy who said,
‘I asked Abu Ja’far-asws Muhammad-asws Bin Ali-asws Al-Reza-asws, ‘O son-asws of the Rasool-Allah-saww, why has the Prophet-saww been called ‘Al-Ummy?.’ He-asws said: ‘What are the people saying?’ I said, ‘They are alleging that he-saww has been called ‘Al-Ummy’ because he-saww was illiterate and could not write well.’
فقال (عليه السلام): «كذبوا عليهم لعنة الله، أنى ذلك و الله يقول في محكم كتابه: هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا عَلَيْهِمْ آياتِهِ وَ يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَ يُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتابَ وَ الْحِكْمَةَ فكيف كان يعلمهم ما لم يحسن؟ و الله لقد كان رسول الله (صلى الله عليه و آله) يقرأ و يكتب باثنين- أو قال بثلاثة- و سبعين لسانا، و إنما سمي الأمي لأنه كان من أهل مكة، و مكة من أمهات القرى، و ذلك قول الله عز و جل: لِتُنْذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرى وَ مَنْ حَوْلَها. و أم القرى مكة، فقيل أمي لذلك
‘He-asws said: ‘They lie! Upon them be the Curse of Allah-azwj, I-asws for that say that Allah-azwj has Said in the Decisive (Verse) of His-azwj Book: He it is Who Sent among the inhabitants of Mecca a Rasool from among themselves, reciting to them His Communications and purifying them, and teaching them the Book and the Wisdom [62:2]. How did he-saww teach them what he-saww was not good at? By Allah-azwj, the Rasool-Allah-saww was able to read and write in seventy two’ – (or said) – ‘seventy three’ ‘languages, and he-asws has been called ‘Al-Ummy’ because he-saww was from the inhabitants of Mecca, and Mecca is the mother of all towns, and that is in the Words of Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic: and for you to warn the mother town (أُمَّ الْقُرى) and the ones around it [6:92]. And the mother of towns is Mecca. So he-saww was referred to as Ummy due to that.’’ [10]
Makkah the Mother City
علي بن إبراهيم، قال: أم القرى مكة، سميت أم القرى لأنها أول بقعة خلقها الله من الأرض، لقوله تعالى: إِنَّ أَوَّلَ بَيْتٍ وُضِعَ لِلنَّاسِ لَلَّذِي بِبَكَّةَ مُبارَكاً
Ali Bin Ibrahim, said,
‘The Mother City is Makkah. It has been Named as the Mother City because it was the first spot which Allah-azwj Created from the earth, in the Words of the Exalted Surely, the first House Placed for the people is the one at Bakka, Blessed, and a Guidance for the worlds [3:96].’[11]
ابن بابويه، قال: حدثنا أبي، قال: حدثنا سعد بن عبد الله، عن أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى، عن أبي عبد الله محمد بن خالد البرقي، عن جعفر بن محمد الصوفي، قال سألت أبا جعفر محمد بن علي الرضا (عليهما السلام)، فقلت: يا بن رسول الله، لم سمي النبي (صلى الله عليه و آله) الأمي؟ فقال: «ما يقول الناس؟» قلت: يزعمون أنه إنما سمي الأمي لأنه لم يحسن أن يكتب
Ibn Babuwayh said that it has been narrated from Sa’d Bin Abdullah, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad Bin Isa, from Abu Abdullah Muhammad Bin Khalid Al-Barqy, from Ja’far Bin Muhammad Al-Sowfy who said,
‘I asked Abu Ja’far-asws Muhammad-asws Bin Ali-asws Al-Reza-asws, ‘O son-asws of the Rasool-Allah-saww, why has the Prophet-saww been called ‘Al-Ummy?.’ He-asws said: ‘What are the people saying?’ I said, ‘They are alleging that he-saww has been called ‘Al-Ummy’ because he-saww was illiterate and could not write well.’
فقال (عليه السلام): «كذبوا عليهم لعنة الله، أنى ذلك و الله يقول في محكم كتابه: هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُوا عَلَيْهِمْ آياتِهِ وَ يُزَكِّيهِمْ وَ يُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتابَ وَ الْحِكْمَةَ
‘He-asws said: ‘They lie! Upon them be the Curse of Allah-azwj, I-asws for that, say that Allah-azwj has Said in the Decisive (Verse) of His-azwj Book: He is the One Who Sent among the inhabitants of Makkah, a Rasool from them, reciting His Verses to them and purifying them, and teaching them the Book and the Wisdom, and surely before they were in clear straying [62:2].
فكيف كان يعلمهم ما لم يحسن؟ و الله لقد كان رسول الله (صلى الله عليه و آله) يقرأ و يكتب باثنين- أو قال بثلاثة- و سبعين لسانا، و إنما سمي الأمي لأنه كان من أهل مكة، و مكة من أمهات القرى، و ذلك قول الله عز و جل: لِتُنْذِرَ أُمَّ الْقُرى وَ مَنْ حَوْلَها. و أم القرى مكة، فقيل أمي لذلك
‘‘How did he-saww teach them what he-saww was not good at? By Allah-azwj, Rasool-Allah-saww was able to read and write in seventy two’ – (or said) – ‘seventy three’ ‘languages, and he-asws has been called ‘Al-Ummy’ because he-saww was from the inhabitants of Mecca, and Mecca is the mother of all towns, and that is in the Words of Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic: and for you to warn the mother town (أُمَّ الْقُرى) and the ones around it [6:92]. And the mother of towns is Makkah. So he-saww was referred to as Ummy due to that.’’ [12]
محمد بن الحسن الصفار: عن الحسين بن علي، عن أحمد بن هلال، عن خلف بن حماد، عن عبد الرحمن بن الحجاج، قال: قال أبو عبد الله (عليه السلام): «إن النبي (صلى الله عليه و آله) كان يقرأ و يكتب، و يقرأ ما لم يكتب
Muhammad Bin Al-Hassan Al-Saffar, from Al-Husayn Bin Ali, from Ahmad Bin Hilal, from Khalaf Bin Hamaad, from Abdul Rahman Bin Al-Hajaaj who said,
Abu Abdullah-asws said: ‘The Prophet-saww used to read and write, and he-saww (also) read what he-saww had not written (What someone else had written).’[13]
Those who claim that Prophet Muhammad-saww was illiterate refer to the following verse:
وَمَا كُنْتَ تَتْلُو مِنْ قَبْلِهِ مِنْ كِتَابٍ وَلَا تَخُطُّهُ بِيَمِينِكَ ۖ إِذًا لَارْتَابَ الْمُبْطِلُونَ {48}
And you did not recite any (other) Book from before it nor did you transcribe (copy-wrote) it with your right hand, for then the falsifiers would have doubted [29:48]
They wrongly interpret the words ‘nor writing it with your right hand’ to claim that Rasool Allah-saww (Prophet Muhammad) could neither read nor write. These words, do not refer to the writing of the Quran, these words, nevertheless, clearly state that Prophet Muhammad-saww never recited nor wrote down any Scriptures before the Quran, meaning, never went to a school or visited a teacher before the Revelation of the Holy Quran, so was taught by Allah-azwj and not by others.
و في العيون عن الرضا عليه السلام في حديث: و من آياته انّه كان يتيماً فقيراً راعياً أجيراً لم يتعلّم كتاباً و لم يختلف الى معلم ثمّ جاء بالقرآن الذي فيه قصص الأنبياء و أخبارهم حرفاً حرفاً و أخبار من مضى و من بقي إلى يوم القيامة
And in (the book) Al-Uyoon –
‘From Al-Reza-asws, there is a lengthy Hadeeth. (He-asws said): ‘And from His-azwj Signs is that he-saww was an orphan, poor, shepherd, employed, had not learned a book, and did not come and go to a teacher, then he-saww came with the Quran wherein were the stories of the Prophets-as and their-as news, letter by letter, and news of the ones passed away and one remaining up to the Day of Judgment.’’[14]
Why did Rasool Allah-saww Ask Angel Jibraeel-as
وَ عَنْ أَبَانٍ عَنْ سُلَيْمٍ قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع وَ سَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ لَا أَسْأَلُ عَنْهُ أَحَداً بَعْدَكَ
And from Aban, from Suleym who said,
‘I heard Ali-asws Bin Abu Talib-asws, and a man asked him-asws about the Eman. He said, ‘O Amir Al-Momineen-asws! Inform me about Al-Eman. I don’t have to ask anyone about it after you‑asws.’
قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ مِثْلِ مَا سَأَلْتَنِي عَنْهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ مِثْلَ مَقَالَتِكَ فَأَخَذَ يُحَدِّثُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ افْعَلْ آمَنْتَ
‘He-asws said: ‘A man came to the Prophet-saww and asked him-saww about similar to what you have asked me-asws about. He said to him-saww similar to your words, so he-saww went on to narrate to him. Then he-saww said to him, ‘Do so, and you have believed.’’
ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلِيٌّ ع عَلَى الرَّجُلِ فَقَالَ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ جَبْرَئِيلَ أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فِي صُورَةِ آدَمِيٍّ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَا الْإِسْلَامُ
‘Then Ali-asws faced towards the man. He-asws said: ‘Don’t you know that Jibraeel-as had come to Rasool-Allah-saww in the image of a human being. He-as said to him-saww, ‘What is Al-Islam?’
فَقَالَ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَ إِقَامُ الصَّلَاةِ وَ إِيتَاءُ الزَّكَاةِ وَ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ وَ صِيَامُ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ الْغُسْلُ مِنَ الْجَنَابَةِ
‘‘He-saww said: ‘Testimony that there is no god except Allah-azwj and that Muhammad-saww is Rasool-saww of Allah-azwj, and establishing the Salat, and giving the Zakat, and performing Hajj of the House (Kabah), and fasting month of Ramazan, and the washing from the sexual impurity.’
قَالَ فَمَا الْإِيمَانُ قَالَ نُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَ مَلَائِكَتِهِ وَ كُتُبِهِ وَ رُسُلِهِ وَ بِالْحَيَاةِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ وَ بِالْقَدَرِ كُلِّهِ خَيْرِهِ وَ شَرِّهِ وَ حُلْوِهِ وَ مُرِّهِ
‘‘He-as said: ‘So what is Al-Eman?’ He-saww said: ‘Belief in Allah-azwj, and His-azwj Angels, and His‑azwj Books, and His-azwj Rasools-as, and in the life after the death, and in the pre-determination, all of it, good and evil, and sweet and bitter.’
فَلَمَّا قَامَ الرَّجُلُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص هَذَا جَبْرَئِيلُ جَاءَكُمُ يُعَلِّمُكُمْ دِينَكُمْ
‘‘When the man stood up, Rasool-Allah-saww said: ‘This is Jibraeel-as having come to you all to teach you your religion.’
فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ كُلَّمَا قَالَ لَهُ شَيْئاً قَالَ لَهُ صَدَقْتَ قَالَ فَمَتَى السَّاعَةُ قَالَ مَا الْمَسْئُولُ عَنْهَا بِأَعْلَمَ مِنَ السَّائِلِ قَالَ صَدَقْتَ
‘‘It was so that Rasool-Allah-saww, every time he-saww said something to him-as, he-as said to him‑saww: ‘You-saww speak the truth.’ He-as said: ‘When is the Hour?’ He-saww said: ‘The questioned is not any more knowing than the questioner is.’ He-as said: ‘You-saww speak the truth.’’
ثُمَّ قَالَ عَلِيٌّ ع بَعْدَ مَا فَرَغَ مِنْ قَوْلِ جَبْرَئِيلَ صَدَقْتَ أَلَا إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ بُنِيَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ عَلَى الْيَقِينِ وَ الصَّبْرِ وَ الْعَدْلِ وَ الْجِهَادِ
‘Then Ali-asws said, after having been free from the words of Jibraeel-as: ‘You-azwj speak the truth’: ‘Indeed! Al-Eman is built upon four pillars – upon the certainty, and the patience, and the justice, and the Jihad (striving).’’[15]
The Holy Verse (42:52) which says Not knowing the Book and the Eman
Sometimes, Holy Verse 42:52 is also cited to allege that Prophet-saww was not literate (Nouzobillah), which is taking it entirely out of context; let us review the following Holy Verse:
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا ۚ مَا كُنْتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتَابُ وَلَا الْإِيمَانُ وَلَٰكِنْ جَعَلْنَاهُ نُورًا نَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ نَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ {52}
And like that We Sent down a Spirit unto you from Our Command. You (people) did not know what the Book was, nor the Eman, but We Made it a ‘Noor’ (Light) We Guide with one We so Desire from Our servants; and surely you (Rasool) guide to the Straight Path [42:52]
Not knowing the Book and the Eman
تفسير القمي جَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَحْمَدَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الْكَرِيمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحِيمِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى لِنَبِيِّهِ- ما كُنْتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتابُ وَ لَا الْإِيمانُ وَ لكِنْ جَعَلْناهُ نُوراً يَعْنِي عَلِيّاً وَ عَلِيٌّ هُوَ النُّورُ
Tafseer Al Qummi – Ja’far Bin Ahmad, from Abdul Kareem Bin Abdul Rahman, from Muhammad Bin Ali, from Muhammad Bin Al Fuzeyl, from Abu Hamza,
From Abu Ja’far-asws regarding Words of Allah-azwj the Exalted to His-azwj Prophet-saww: ‘You (people) did not know what the Book was, nor the Eman, but We Made it a ‘Noor’ (Light) [42:52] – meaning Ali-asws, and Ali-asws, he-asws is the Noor.
فَقَالَ- نَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ نَشاءُ مِنْ عِبادِنا يَعْنِي عَلِيّاً بِهِ هَدَى مَنْ هَدَى مِنْ خَلْقِهِ وَ قَالَ اللَّهُ لِنَبِيِّهِ- وَ إِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلى صِراطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ يَعْنِي أَنَّكَ لَتَأْمُرُ بِوَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ تَدْعُو إِلَيْهَا
He-azwj Said: We Guide with one We so Desire from Our servants; [42:52] – meaning Ali-asws, Guiding through him-asws the one from His-azwj creatures He-azwj Guides. And Allah-azwj Said to His-azwj Prophet-saww: and surely you (Rasool) guide to the Straight Path [42:52] – meaning you-saww should instruct with the Wilayah of Ali-asws and call to it.
وَ عَلِيٌّ هُوَ الصِّرَاطُ الْمُسْتَقِيمُ صِراطِ اللَّهِ يَعْنِي عَلِيّاً- الَّذِي لَهُ ما فِي السَّماواتِ وَ ما فِي الْأَرْضِ يَعْنِي عَلِيّاً أَنَّهُ جَعَلَهُ خَازِنَهُ عَلَى مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْ شَيْءٍ وَ ائْتَمَنَهُ عَلَيْهِ أَلا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَصِيرُ الْأُمُورُ
‘And Ali-asws, he-asws is the Straight Path, A Path of Allah – meaning Ali-asws – Who, for Him is whatever is in the skies and whatever is in the earth. – meaning Ali-asws. He-azwj Made him-asws His-azwj treasurer upon whatever is in the skies and whatever is in the earth, of anything, and Entrusted it to him-asws – Indeed! To Allah do the matters eventually come [42:53].’[16]
11- فس، تفسير القمي بِالْإِسْنَادِ الْمُتَقَدِّمِ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَالَ: نَزَلَتْ هَاتَانِ الْآيَتَانِ هَكَذَا قَوْلُ اللَّهِ- حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءَانَا يَعْنِي فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً يَقُولُ أَحَدُهُمَا لِصَاحِبِهِ حِينَ يَرَاهُ- يا لَيْتَ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَكَ بُعْدَ الْمَشْرِقَيْنِ فَبِئْسَ الْقَرِينُ
Tafseer Al Qummi – By the preceding chain, from Abu Hamza,
From Abu Ja’far-asws having said: ‘These two Verses were Revealed like this – Words of Allah-azwj: ‘Until when he comes to Us [43:38] – Meaning so and so, and so and so (Abu Bakr and Umar), he will say, one of them to the other, ‘Oh! If only between me and you was the distance of the east and the west!’ So evil is the associate [43:38].
فَقَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لِنَبِيِّهِ قُلْ لِفُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ وَ أَتْبَاعِهِمَا- لَنْ يَنْفَعَكُمُ الْيَوْمَ إِذْ ظَلَمْتُمْ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ حَقَّهُمْ أَنَّكُمْ فِي الْعَذَابِ مُشْتَرِكُونَ
‘Allah-azwj Said to His-azwj Prophet-saww: Say to so and so, and so and so (Abu Bakr and Umar) and the followers of these two: And it will never profit you today, since you were unjust – to the Progeny-asws of Muhammad-saww of their-asws rights, You are (now) sharers in the Punishment [43:39].
ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ لِنَبِيِّهِ- أَ فَأَنْتَ تُسْمِعُ الصُّمَّ أَوْ تَهْدِي الْعُمْيَ وَ مَنْ كانَ فِي ضَلالٍ مُبِينٍ- فَإِمَّا نَذْهَبَنَّ بِكَ فَإِنَّا مِنْهُمْ مُنْتَقِمُونَ يَعْنِي مِنْ فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ
‘Then He-azwj Said to His-azwj Prophet-saww: So, can you make the deaf to hear, or guide the blind and the one who was in clear straying? [43:40] So if We were to Take you away, We would still Take Revenge from them [43:41], Meaning from so and so, and so and so (Abu Bakr and Umar).
ثُمَّ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ إِلَى نَبِيِّهِ- فَاسْتَمْسِكْ بِالَّذِي أُوحِيَ إِلَيْكَ فِي عَلِيٍّ إِنَّكَ عَلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ يَعْنِي أَنَّكَ عَلَى وَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ عَلِيٌّ هُوَ الصِّرَاطُ الْمُسْتَقِيمُ
‘Then Allah-azwj Revealed to His-azwj Prophet-saww: Therefore adhere with that which is Revealed unto you [43:43] – regarding Ali-asws, surely you are upon a Straight Path [43:43] – Meaning, you-saww are upon the Wilayah of Ali-asws, and Ali-asws, he-asws is the Straight Path.’[17]
وعنه، قال: حدثنا علي بن عبد الله، عن إبراهيم بن محمد، عن علي بن هلال، عن الحسن بن وهب العبسي، عن جابر الجعفي، عن أبي جعفر (عليه السلام) في قول الله عز و جل: وَ لكِنْ جَعَلْناهُ نُوراً نَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ نَشاءُ مِنْ عِبادِنا، قال: «ذاك علي بن أبي طالب (عليه السلام)
And from him, from Ali Bin Abdullah, from Ibrahim Bin Muhammad, from Ali Bin Hilal, from Al Hassan Bin Wahab Al Abasy, from Jabir Al Ju’fy,
(It has been narrated) from Abu Ja’far-asws regarding the Words of Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic: but We Made it a Light We Guide with one We so Desire from Our servants; and surely you guide to the Straight Path [42:52], he-asws said: ‘That (Light) is Ali-asws Bin Abu Talib-asws.’[18]
علي بن إبراهيم، قال: حدثنا جعفر بن أحمد، قال: حدثنا عبد الكريم بن عبد الرحيم، قال: حدثنا محمد بن علي، عن محمد بن الفضيل، عن أبي حمزة، عن أبي جعفر (عليه السلام)، في قول الله لنبيه (صلى الله عليه و آله): ما كُنْتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتابُ وَ لَا الْإِيمانُ وَ لكِنْ جَعَلْناهُ نُوراً: «يعني عليا (عليه السلام)، و علي هو النور، فقال: نَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ نَشاءُ مِنْ عِبادِنا يعني عليا (عليه السلام)، هدى به من هدى من خلقه
Ali Bin Ibrahim, from Ja’far Bin Ahmad, from Abdul Kareem Bin Abdul Raheem, from Muhammad Bin Ali, from Muhammad Bin Al Fazeyl, from Abu Hamza,
(It has been narrated) from Abu Ja’far-asws regarding the Words of Allah-azwj to His-azwj Prophet-saww [42:52] And thus We Revealed to you a Spirit from Our Command. You did not know what the Book was, nor the belief, but We Made it a Light, he-asws said: ‘(Light) meaning Ali-asws, and Ali-asws is the Light, so He-azwj Said Guiding thereby whom We Desire to of Our servants, Meaning Ali-asws, Guide by him-asws the one whom He-azwj Guides from His-azwj creatures.
و قال لنبيه (صلى الله عليه و آله): وَ إِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلى صِراطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ يعني إنك لتأمر بولاية أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام)، و تدعو إليها، و علي هو الصراط المستقيم صِراطِ اللَّهِ يعني عليا (عليه السلام) الَّذِي لَهُ ما فِي السَّماواتِ وَ ما فِي الْأَرْضِ يعني عليا (عليه السلام) أن جعله خازنه على ما في السماوات و ما في الأرض، و أئتمنه عليه أَلا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَصِيرُ الْأُمُورُ
‘And he-azwj Said to His-azwj Prophet-saww and most surely you show the way to the Straight Path, Meaning you-saww are commanding for the Wilayah of Amir Ul Momineen-asws, and calling them to it, and Ali-asws is the Straight Path, [42:53] The Path of Allah, Meaning Ali-asws Whose is whatsoever is in the skies and whatsoever is in the earth Meaning Ali-asws having Made him-asws as the Treasurer of whatsoever is in the skies and in the earth, and Entrusted it to him-asws Indeed, to Allah do all affairs eventually come.’[19]
محمد بن الحسن الصفار: عن عبد الله بن عامر، عن أبي عبد الله البرقي، عن الحسين بن عثمان، عن محمد بن الفضيل، عن أبي حمزة، عن أبي جعفر (عليه السلام)، قال: «قوله تعالى: إِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلى صِراطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ، إنك لتأمر بولاية علي (عليه السلام) و تدعو إليها، و هو الصراط المستقيم
Muhammad Bin Al Hassan Al Saffar, from Abdullah Bin Aamir, from Abu Abdullah Al Barqy, from Al Hassan Bin Usman, from Muhammad Bin Al Fazeyl, from Abu Hamza,
(It has been narrated) from Abu Ja’far-asws having said: ‘The Words of the exalted: and surely you guide to the Straight Path [42:52], you-saww are commanding for the Wilayah of Ali-asws and are calling them to him-asws, and he-asws is the Straight Path.’[20]
حدثنا احمد بن محمد عن الحسين بن سعيد عن النضر بن سويد عن يحيى الحلبي عن ابى الصباح الكنانى عن ابى بصير قال سئلت ابا عبد الله عن قول الله تبارك وتعالى وكذلك اوحينا اليك روحا من امرنا ما كنت تدرى ما الكتاب ولا الايمان قال خلق من خلق الله اعظم من جبرئيل وميكائيل كان مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله يخبره ويسدده وهو مع الائمة من بعده
It has been narrated to us by Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Al-Husayn Bin Saeed, from Al-Nazar Bin Suweyd, from Yahya Al-Halby, from Abu Al-Sabaah Al-Kanany, from Abu Baseer who said:
‘I asked Abu Abdullah-asws about the Statement of Allah-azwj Blessed and Exalted: And like that We Sent down a Spirit unto you from Our Command. You did not know what the Book was, nor the Eman [42:52]. He-asws said: ‘A Creature from the creatures of Allah-azwj, greater than Jibraeel-as and Mikaeel-as. It was with Rasool-Allah-saww, informed him-saww and protected him-saww, and it is with the Imams-asws after him-saww.’’[21]
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ عَنْ أَسْبَاطِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ قَالَ سَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ هِيتَ وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ كَذلِكَ أَوْحَيْنا إِلَيْكَ رُوحاً مِنْ أَمْرِنا فَقَالَ مُنْذُ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذَلِكَ الرُّوحَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ( صلى الله عليه وآله ) مَا صَعِدَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ إِنَّهُ لَفِينَا
Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Muhammad Bin Al Husayn, from Ali Bin Asbat, from Asbat Bin Salim who said,
‘A man from the people of Hayt asked him-asws and I was present, about the Words of Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic: And like that We Sent down a Spirit unto you from Our Command [42:52]. So he-asws said: ‘Since Allah-azwj Mighty and Majestic Sent down the Spirit unto Muhammad-saww, it has not ascended to the sky, and it is among us-asws.’’[22]
حدثنا عبد الله بن عامر عن ابى عبد الله البرقى عن الحسين بن عثمان عن محمد بن الفضيل عن ابى حمزة الثمالى عن ابى جعفر عليه السلام في قول الله تبارك وتعالى صراط الله الذى له مافى السموات وما في الارض يعنى عليا انه جعل عليا خازنه على مافى السموات وما في الارض من شئ وائتمنه عليه الا إلى الله تصير الامور
Narrated to us Abdullah Bin Aamir, from Abu Abdullah Al-Barqy, from Al-Husayn Bin Usman, from Muhammad Bin Al-Fazeyl, from Abu Hamza Al-Thumaly, who has said:
Abu Ja’far-asws, regarding the Words of Allah-azwj Blessed and Exalted: A Path of Allah Who, for Him is whatever is in the skies and whatever is in the earth. Indeed! To Allah do the matters eventually come [42:53], said: ‘It means Ali-asws. He-azwj Made Ali-asws His-azwj Treasurer on whatsoever is in the Heavens and whatsoever is in the Earth from things and entrusted it all to him-asws, but it is to Allah-azwj that the matters return.’[23]
Finally, in 87:6, Allah-azwj Says, we will Enable you (Prophet Mohammed-saww) to read, which leaves no doubt that the chief of Prophets and the last Prophet (Mohammed-saww) was not illiterate.
سَنُقْرِئُكَ فَلَا تَنْسَىٰ {6}
We will Make you (O Prophet) read, so you will not forget [87:6]
Appendix: Background to the Verse 25:5
عمر بن إبراهيم الأوسي: قيل: إن رسول الله (صلى الله عليه و آله) لما مات أبو طالب، لج المشركون في أذيته، فصار يعرض نفسه على القبائل بالإسلام، و الإيمان، فلم يأت أحدا من القبائل إلا صده و رده
Umar Bin Ibrahim Al Awsy –
It is said that Rasool-Allah-saww, when Abu Talib-asws passed away, the Polytheists persisted in harming him-saww. So, he-saww came and presented himself-saww to the tribes with the Islam and the Eman, but no one from the tribes came except that he blocked him-saww and rejected him-saww.
فقال بعضهم: قوم الرجل أعلم به، أ ترون أن رجلا يصلحنا، و هو قد أفسد قومه؟
One of them said, ‘The people of the man-saww are more knowing regarding him-saww. Are you viewing that a man would guide us and he-saww has misled his-saww own people?’
فعمد إلى ثقيف بالطائف، فوجد ساداتهم جلوسا، و هم ثلاثة اخوة، فعرض عليهم الإسلام، و حذرهم من النار، و غضب الجبار، فقال بعضهم: أنا أسرق ثياب الكعبة، إن كان بعثك الله نبيا. قال آخر: يا محمد، أعجز الله أن يرسل غيرك
He-saww headed to Saqeef at Al-Ta’if, and he-saww found their chiefs seated in a gathering, and they were three brothers. He-saww presented Al-Islam to them and warned them of the Fire and the Wrath of the Compeller. One of them said, ‘I tend to steal clothes (drapes) of the Kabah, if it was Allah-azwj Who Sent you-saww.’ The other one said, ‘O Muhammad-saww! Is Allah-azwj Frustrated from Sending anyone apart from you-saww!’
و قال الآخر: لا تكلموه، إن كان رسولا من الله كما يزعم، فهو أعظم قدرا من أن يكلمنا، و إن كان كاذبا على الله، فهو أسرف بكلامه
And the other one said, ‘Do not speak to him-saww! If he-saww was a Rasool-saww from Allah-azwj just as he-saww claims, then he-saww is of a more worth than for him-saww to speak to us; and if he-saww was a liar upon Allah-azwj, then he-saww is being extravagant with his-saww speech.’
و جعلوا يستهزئون به، فجعل يمشي، كلما وضع قدما، وضعوا له صخرة، فما فرغ من أرضهم إلا و قدماه تشخب دما
And they went on mocking him-saww. He-saww went on to walk, (but) every time he-saww placed a foot, they placed a rock for him-saww (to walk upon). He-saww was not free from their land except and his-saww feet were spilling blood.
فعمد لحائط من كرومهم، و جلس مكروبا، فقال: «اللهم، إني أشكوا إليك غربتي، و كربتي، و هواني على الناس، يا أرحم الراحمين، أنت رب المستضعفين، أنت رب المكروبين
Rasool Allah-saww headed towards a wall of their vineyard and sat in anguish, and he-saww said: ‘O Allah-azwj! I-saww am complaining to You-azwj of my-saww loneliness, and my-saww distress, and my-saww being considered insignificant by the people. O most Merciful of the merciful ones! You-azwj are the Lord-azwj of the oppressed ones! You-azwj are the Lord-azwj of the distressed ones!
اللهم إن لم يكن بك علي غضب فلا ابالي، و لكن عافيتك أوسع لي، أعوذ بك من سخطك، و بمعافاتك و من عقوبتك، و بك منك
‘O Allah-azwj! If You-azwj do not happen to be Wrathful upon me-saww, then I-saww don’t care (about anything else). But, Your-azwj Given well-being is Extensive for me-saww. I-saww seek Refuge with You-azwj from Your-azwj Wrath, and with Your-azwj Pardon and from Your-azwj Punishment, and with You-azwj from You-azwj!
لا احصي الثناء عليك، أنت كما أثنيت على نفسك، لك الحمد حتى ترضى، و لا حول و لا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم
‘I-saww cannot count the Praise upon You-azwj. You-azwj are Just as You-azwj Praised upon Yourself-azwj. For You-azwj is the Praise until You-azwj are Pleased. And there is neither Mighty nor Strength except with Allah-azwj, the Exalted, the Magnificent!’
قيل: و كان في الكرم عتبة بن ربيعة، و شيبة، فكره أن يأتيهما، لما يعلم من عداوتهما، فقالا لغلام لهما، يقال له عداس: خذ قطفين من العنب، و قدحا من الماء، و أذهب بهما إلى ذلك الرجل، و إنه سيسألك: أ هدية، أم صدقة؟ فإن قلت صدقة، لم يقبلها، بل قل: هدية
(The narrator said): And in the vineyard were Utba Bin Rabi’e, and Sheyba, so, he-saww disliked going to them both due to what he-saww knew from their enmity. They said to a slave of theirs called Adaas, ‘Take two bunches of the grapes and a mug of water, and go with these two to that man-saww, and he-saww will ask you: ‘Is this a gift or charity?’ So, if you were to say, ‘Charity,’ he-saww will not accept it, but say, ‘Gift.’’
فمضى، و وضعه بين يديه، فقال: «هدية، أم صدقة؟» فقال: هدية. فمد يده، و قال: «بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم» و كان عداس نصرانيا، فلما سمعه تعجب منه، و صار ينظره
He went and placed it in front of him-saww. He-saww said: ‘(Is it) a gift or (is it) charity?’ He said, ‘Gift.’ So he-saww extended his-saww hand and said: ‘In the Name of Allah-azwj the Beneficent, the Merciful.’ And Adaas was a Christian, so when he heard from him-saww, he was astounded from it and went on looking at him-saww.
فقال له: «يا عداس، من أين؟» قال: من أهل نينوى. قال: «من مدينة الرجل الصالح أخي يونس بن متى؟» قال: و من أعلمك؟ فأخبره بقصته، و بما اوحي إليه
He-saww said to him: ‘O Adaas! From where (are you)?’ He said, ‘From the people of Nineveh.’ He-saww said: ‘From the city of the righteous man, my-saww brother Yunus-as Bin Matta-as?’ He said, ‘And who taught you-saww?’ So he-saww informed him of his-as story and with what had been Revealed unto him-saww.
فقال: و من قبله؟ فقال: «نوح و لوط» و أخبره بالقصة فخر ساجدا لله، و جعل يقبل يديه، و أسياده ينظرون إليه، فقال أحدهما للآخر: سحر غلامك
He said, ‘And who were before him-as?’ He-saww said: ‘Noah-as and Lut-as.’ And he-saww informed him with the story, so he fell down in Sajdah to Allah-azwj, and went on to kiss his-saww hand, and both his masters were looking on at him. So, one of them said to the other, ‘He-saww has bewitched your slave.’
فلما أتاهما، قالا له: ما شأنك، سجدت و قبلت يديه! فقال: يا أسيادي، ما على وجه الأرض أشرف، و لا ألطف، و لا أخير منه. قالوا: و لم ذلك؟ قال: حدثني بأنبياء ماضية، و نبينا يونس بن متي
When he came to them, they said to him, ‘What is your concern, prostrating and kissing his-saww hand?’ He said, ‘O my masters! There is none more honourable on the surface of the earth, nor kinder, nor better than him-saww.’ They said, ‘And why is that?’ He said, ‘He-saww narrated to me with the (News of the) Prophets-as of the past, and our Prophet Yunus-as Bin Matta-as.’
فقالا: يا ويلك، فتنك عن دينك؟ فقال: و الله إنه نبي مرسل. قالا له: ويحك، عزمت قريش على قتله، فقال، هو و الله يقتلهم و يسودهم و يشرفهم، إن تبعوه دخلوا الجنة، و خاب من لا يتبعه
They both said, ‘O woe be unto you! You are tempted away from your Religion?’ He said, ‘By Allah-azwj! He-saww is a Mursil Prophet-saww.’ They said, ‘Woe be unto you! Quraysh are determined upon killing him-saww.’ So, he said, ‘By Allah-azwj! He-saww would be killing them, and dominate them, and he-saww would be ennobling them if they were to follow him-saww, they would be entering the Paradise, and he would lose, one who does not follow him-saww.’
فقاما يريدان ضربه، فركض للنبي (صلى الله عليه و آله) و أسلم
They both arose intending to strike him, but he ran towards the Prophet-saww and professed Islam.[24]
[1] See for example, Bihar Al-Anwaar – V 20, The book of our Prophet-saww, P 3 Ch 20 H 10
[2] Al Kafi V 2 – The Book Of Merits of the Quran CH 14 H 5
[3] (تأويل الآيات 2: 710/ 1.)
[4] Bihar Al Anwaar – V 35, The book of History – Amir Al Momineenasws, Ch 20 H 21
[5] (تأويل الآيات 2: 710/ 1.)
[6] تفسير القمّي 2: 111.
[7] تفسير الصافي، ج2، ص: 242
[8] Basaair Al Darajaat – P 5 CH 4 H 1
[9] Basaair Al Darajaat – P 5 CH 4 H 4
[10] علل الشرائع: 124/ 1 & 2
[11] تفسير القمّي 2: 268.
[12] علل الشرائع: 124/ 1
[13] بصائر الدرجات: 247/ 5.
[14] تفسير الصافي، ج4، ص: 120
[15] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 65 – The book of Eman and Kufr – Ch 24 H 46 b
[16] Bihar Al Anwaar – V 35, The book of History – Amir Al Momineenasws, Ch 16 H 10
[17] Bihar Al Anwaar – V 35, The book of History – Amir Al Momineenasws, Ch 16 H 11 a
[18] تأويل الآيات 2: 551/ 22.
[19] تفسير القمّي 2: 279.
[20] بصائر الدرجات: 98/ 5
[21] Basaair Al Darajaat – P 9 CH 16 H 2
[22] Al Kafi V 1 – The Book Of Divine Authority CH 56 H 2
[23] Basaair Al Darajaat – P 2 CH 19 H 16
[24] تفسير القمّي 2: 111