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f:1106 -    Using Ummi for the Prophet
 Country : Hyderabad,
Name : Ali
Question:     What does the word "ummi" mean when it is used for the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)
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Answer:     Allah Ta'ala has made the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) the fountain of all knowledge and wisdom.  In Surah A'araaf, Allah Ta'ala has described one attribute of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) i.e. "Ummi."  Some people have taken it as meaning "illiterate" when the Imams of Tafseer (interpretation of the Holy Quran) have written that it is a great miracle of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) that in spite of being "Ummi," H (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is the fountain of all the logical and spiritual sciences.

The word "Ummi" is from "Umm" meaning mother.  This means that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did not learn anything from the creation.  The Lord Almighty Allah Ta'ala Himself taught Him and granted Him all the sciences of the world.

The sermonizers of Arabia would give a sermon, when they would repeat it, they would add something to it or delete from it.  The greatness of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would recite the verses of the Holy Quran, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would recite them without any change.  Allah Ta'ala says:

(O Esteemed Beloved!) We shall teach you (in a way) that nothing shall you (ever) forget,  Surah A'ala (87:6)

Allama Shihabuddin Abdullah Hussaini Alusi (May Allah shower His mercy on him) writes in the Tafseer of Ruh Al Ma'ani:

Translation:  By granting the attribute of "Ummi" to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), Allah Ta'ala is revealing that it is great miracle that in spite of not learning from anybody from among the creation, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is perfect in all kinds of knowledge.

Thus, "Ummi" (I offer my mother and father for you) is a praiseworthy attribute and for others, this attribute is blameworthy.  This attribute is like pride.  Pride is a form of praise for Allah Ta'ala and condemnable in others.

On the occasion of the treat of Hudaibiyah, the Quraish objected to the words "Muhammad Rasulullah" in the treaty and insisted that "Muhammad Bin Abdullah" be used instead.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) asked Hadhrat Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) to rub off "Muhammad Rasulullah" and write "Muhammad Bin Abdullah" in its place.  Out of respect, Hadhrat Ali (May Allah be well pleased with him) excused himself: I cannot rub off this blessed name."  Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) rubbed it off and wrote "Ibn Abdullah" (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 4731).

This shows that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) knew reading and writing and is the fountainhead of all logical and spiritual sciences.

And Allah The Most Merciful and The Most Beneficent knows best.

Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri

[Professor, Islamic Law, Jamia Nizamia,
Founder-Director, Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center]
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