The Explanation of the Word “Ummi”

Question

Zayd, in the course of his speech on the sira of the Holy Messenger ﷺ, explained the meaning of “ummi” and said “illiterate ignoramus” and “absolutely ignorant”, adding, “I can say with confidence that ‘ummi’ means ‘absolutely ignorant’.” Is this meaning not an insult to the Noble Messenger ﷺ? And if it is, what is the ruling for Zayd?

Answer

“Ummi” is said of one who has not learned to read and write from anyone, has not entered any school and has not studied with any tutor. Hadrat the accepted Messenger ﷺ did not learn reading and writing from anyone in this world; he had no teacher here — but Allah, blessed and exalted, bestowed on the illustrious Master ﷺ such knowledge as none of the first or the last…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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