Textual Analysisof the Term Ummi,with the Quranic andHistorical Approach

The Arabic word ummi is commonly translated as "unlettered." In the Qur’an, Muhammad is described as "ummi" and traditionally this has meant for Muslims that Muhammad was illiterate, completely unable to read or write. Thus, the fact that he was able to recite the Qur’an should be regarded as a miracle (i'jaz) and evidence that it really does have a divine origin.  This paper, according to the verses of the Qur’an and historical evidence, proves that ummi should not be taken to mean illiterate, but rather scriptureless. This would mean that when Muhammad is described as ummi,  it denotes the fact that he is not one of the People of the Book or simply that he is not a member of a group which has already received a revelation from God - at least, not until he received the Qur'an.