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Q: Allah (Exalted be He) says, Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) This Ayah (Qur'anic verse) describes the Prophet (peace be upon him) by being unlettered. In another Ayah, Allah (Exalted be He) says, Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). A person who reads and writes can not be illiterate. How can we match between these two Ayahs? Was the Prophet (peace be upon him) illiterate?

A: An illiterate person is one who can neither read nor write. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was unlettered in this sense. Allah (Exalted be He) says, Neither did you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) read any book before it (this Qur’ân), nor did you write any book (whatsoever) with your right hand. As for Allah's Saying, Read , it means that Jibril (Gabriel) used to teach him the Qur'an. He memorized it without it being written for him. Therefore, there will be no contradiction between his being unlettered and his memorization of the Qur'an because he learnt it through hearing.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.