Has it been proven to you that the Prophet (PBUH&HF) was illiterate, meaning he could not read or write? If…

Question

Has it been proven to you that the Prophet (PBUH&HF) was illiterate, meaning he could not read or write? If so, can it be said that this contradicts the concept of infallibility since there were people who knew how to read and write?

Ayatullah Bashir Hussain al-Najafi · Accepted Answer

In the name of Allah, it has not been proven that the Prophet (PBUH&HF) was illiterate. Rather, it is proved that he was from the people of Mecca. Yes, it is established that he knew how to read and write, as indicated by the Quranic verse: "And He taught you that which you knew not." However, he did not engage in reading and writing during his mission for specific reasons, and this might be hinted at in the Quranic verse: "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." Allah is the Guide.

Has it been proven to you that the Prophet (PBUH&HF) was illiterate, meaning he could not read or write? If…

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