Gabriel: "Read" or "Recite?"

The word "ummiyy" which is used in the Quran to mean unlettered also means "who has not received a Scriptures from God".
Some scholars believe the second meaning is the right one in the Quran.

At the time of the Prophet Arabs used a very clumsy system of writing which was difficult to read. Besides they did not have paper and pens as we have. So the art of reading and writing was taken up by scribes. No important or affluent person would write by himself but would have secretaries do it.

Mishmish wrote: Assalamu Alaikum: The Prophet(PBUH) put his mark on the letters by using a wax and his ring, which was engraved: Mohammed Messenger of Allah. The letters he sent were written at his behest, not by him. The Quran states quite clearly that the Prophet was unlettered. At least he was alive at the time and able to dictate what should be written to his companions and the people around him, so that years after his death things would not be written that take on mystical proportions and turn him into something he was not....

Mishmish,

This is the first time I've heard of the ring.  Do you know if any of the documents that have the imprint of Muhammad's ring still exist?

Another thing that bothers me about this story is the reaction of Muhammad when encountered by the angel.  He is severely afraid and distressed.

When I compare his encounter with Mary and Joseph's encounter with Gabriel I see a distinct difference.  They are not afraid.

 

George,

From you:"Another thing that bothers me about this story is the reaction of Muhammad when encountered by the angel.  He is severely afraid and distressed.

When I compare his encounter with Mary and Joseph's encounter with Gabriel I see a distinct difference.  They are not afraid."

Grieve and worry not, George. Forget the story. There are plenty of stories floating around. Here is what God Almighty says in Qur'aan, Surah 53 Al-Najm Verses 1-17(Just a very, very simple translation for you):

"When the star sets. Neither your fellow-man thought something was wrong nor was he deluded. And he does not just speak out on his own. He speaks only what has been revealed to him. Taught by the mighty knowledgeable Gabriel, an angel full of power, who showed himself to him by appearing over the higher part of horizon and came nearer and nearer till he was very close to him. And then God revealed to his servant what God wished to reveal. His heart did not disbelieve what he saw. Will you then doubt on what he saw? Indeed he saw the angel in his true form a second time at the farthest point of his ascension, near the Garden of promise and saw the Garden Tree covered in splendour and his eyes did not waver nor did they oggle. Truly he saw the greatest signs of his Lord."

What does the above tell me and the Muslims? It tells us that Muhammad was in all senses, his eyes were open and looking. He saw the angel clearly as he came gradually very close to him. Then he saw the greatest signs of the Lord and yet his eyes never faultered for he knew what he was seeing.

After reading the above, you, me and others do not have to believe in stories written by men. Qur'aan clearly tells us that Muhammad never felt sick or delusional, etc.

Hope this helped. I cannot do the tafseer for this as it will run into pages and pages which is true, quote form Qur'aan:

"If all the oceans were ink to write the words of my Lord, the oceans would be consumed as ink before the words of My Lord could complete and not enough, even if more oceans were brought in and added."

Note: fellow-man refers to Muhammad.

 

Edited by bmzsp