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The Concept of Al-Nabi al-Ummi and Gharib : Revisiting Prophetic Unletteredness in Islamic Thought

Gharib (غريب) literally means “strange,” “foreign,” or “unfamiliar.” In hadith terminology, gharib refers to a tradition narrated by only one transmitter at some point. When applied to ummi , gharib highlights the uniqueness of an unlettered man producing a text of unparalleled eloquence. 3. The Miracle of the Unlettered Prophet The doctrine of i‘jāz (inimitability) of the Qur’an rests partly on the Prophet’s ummi status. If he were literate, opponents could argue he copied from earlier scriptures. By being unlettered, the Qur’an’s linguistic beauty, legal depth, and historical accuracy become evidence of divine origin. gharib ummi