The meaning of " ummi"
The term ummi and its derivation occur six times in the qur'an; four times as plural and twice as singular. The english translations of the holy qur'an vary.
The commentators of the qur'an hold different views on the actual meaning of the term in each verse. In order to find the basic meaning to this word as used in the qur'an, one must look at the context of each verse. Briefly, i shall examine each of them.
1. " and there are among them ummiyyun who understand the book only as they desire. The qur'an 2:78
Various english translators give the meaning as "illiterate", "common folk", or "unlettered folk". The context of the verse shows that if it refers to the people of moses. Their names was mentioned in the previous verse no. 67. It seems most likely that the verse therefore means:
"among the jews are ummiyyun jews who do not understand their book except what they desire to know." i.e., they do not recall the appropriate sense of the context. In other words the most likely meaning here of ummiyyun is one who does not follow the holy book.
2. " so if they dispute with you, say, " i have submitted my self to god and so have done those who follow me. " and say to the people of the book and those who are ummiyyun, are you [ willing] to submit yourselves [to god ]. [ if they do, then,] they are rightly guided." the qur'an, 3:19.
The first pronoun (they) refers to (people of the book) which was mentioned in the previous verse, no.19. Therefore, it is most likely that the term in this verse means "one who has no book" because of the contrast with the previous verse which refers to the people of the book.
3. " among the people of the book are some who if entrusted with a heart of gold will pay it back, and others who are entrusted with a single coin will not repay it unless you constantly stand demanding because they say, " there is no obligation on us [ to keep faith] with those ummiyyun. But they tell a lie against god while they know. " the qur'an, 3:74.
In this verse, the contrast between the people of the book and ummiyyun are those who have no book. Thus, all of meaning mentioned in arabic lexicons are applicable.
4. "it is he who has sent among the ummiyyun an apostle from among themselves to rehearse to them his sign to sanctify them and to instruct them in scripture and wisdom for they had been before, in manifest error." the qur'an, 62:2.
This verse obviously refers to prophet Muhammad (p.) and his people. The description and responsibilities of prophet Muhammad (p.) are mentioned. The people were in need of an instructor who would give them wisdom and understanding in scripture. Prophet Muhammad (p.) was chosen from his folk to take responsibility for teaching and instructing them in scripture. Therefore, the ummiyyun in this context obviously refers to those who have no book for guidance. Singular usage of the term ummi occurs twice in the following verses. In both verses it refers to prophet Muhammad (p.) and describes him as an ummi prophet.
First: " my mercy extends to all things. That i shall ordain for those who do right thing, and practice regular charity, and those who believe in our signs. Those who follow the apostle, the ummi prophet whom they find mentioned in their scriptures, the torah and gospel. " the qur'an, 7:157.
The relative pronouns " those who " in this verse refers to the people of the book even though their name is not mentioned here. At the end of the verse, we find that their books are the torah and the gospel.
Maintaining these two books, the only popular holy book in arabia during that time, show that the word ummi is used in reference to the jews and the christians. Therefore, the verse seems most likely to mean a prophet among those who have no book.
Second: " say, o, mankind! i am sent to you all as an apostle of god to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. Therefore, there is no god but he. It is he who gives both life and death. So believe in god and his apostle, the ummi prophet. " the qur'an, 7:158.
The context in this verse does not help to determine any specific meaning. All meanings mentioned in the arabic lexicons could apply here including the meaning of illiteracy. Though most likely, it would mean the same as other verses, the one who has no book.
The commentators of the qur'an hold various views regarding these verses, usually based on the hadith and their own personal opinions. They usually give the meaning of the term at its first occurrence the qur'an, surah 2:78.
The following are the commentators views, chronologically arranged based on the available sources :
1. Ibn abbas. People who do not believe in messengers, nor in any books
(d.68/690)
2. Ibrahim nakhai: one who does not write well.
(d. 96/718) (tabari 2/259)
3. Al mujahid: some people among the jews.
(d. 104/726) (tabari 2/257)
4. Al outadah al basri: the arabs.
(d. 117/739) (tabari 6/522)
5. Al sudday: the arabs.
(d 127/749) (tabari 6/525)
6. Ibn jareeh; some muslims during jahiliyya
(d.150/772) pre islamic period (tabari6/525)
7. Al qummi ali: * jews. (tafsir 1/106)
(d. 3rd/9th c.) one who has no book
(tafsir 1/106)
8. Al maturidi: one who does not write or read from a book.
(d. 232/854)
9. Al tabari: those who do not write nor read
(d. 311/933) (2/257)
10. Al tabarsi: * one who does not write well.
" majmaal bayan " (6th/12th century.)
11. Al razi: one who does not write or read well.
(d. 606/1228)
12. Al qurtubi: one who does not write or read well.
(d. 671/1293)
13.al kashani fayd:* one who does not write.
(d. 1090/1712)
14. Al qasimi: those who do write well
(d.1292/1914)
15. Al shubbar: * those who do not write or read.
16. Abdu Muhammad: one who does not read
(d. 1283/1905)
* it refers to sh'iah tafsirs
In islamic culture, the term ummi , in the sense of " illiterate " is one of the favorite epithets for prophet Muhammad (p.). It is commonly held views of many muslims that this was a miraculous sign, an illiterate prophet coming to mankind.
Muslims scholars emphasize that his status as an illiterate validates his claim to be a true prophet. That is it would be impossible for an illiterate man to bring a book like the qur'an unless he truly is a prophet.
In all likelihood, the first one who held this interpretation was al mawardi, abu al hasan ali b. Muhammad al shofi (d. 450/1072). He say that the illiteracy of prophet Muhammad (p.) is one of his explicit miracles and the most important one.
Al-baydawi (d.685/1307) says that prophet Muhammad's (p.) perfect knowledge coupled with his illiteracy was one of his miracles.
Al-busyri, Muhammad b. Suid (d. 685/1307) in his poem about prophet Muhammad (p) says: it is sufficient for you to have knowledge in your state of ummi miracle. Ibn mandur (d.711/1337) says that this characteristics [ i.e. Illiteracy] is one of the miraculous signs of prophet Muhammad (p.)
During the 14th/19th century almost all muslims scholars agreed on the illiteracy of prophet Muhammad (p.). Shaik abdu says that the illiteracy is one of the most important signs of his prophecy since he had brought after his prophecy the most valuable knowledge, and this is the common belief among muslims today.