Muslim tradition tells us that Muhammad was illiterate. Some have disagreed, pointing out that, as a merchant, he must have been familiar with documents, but he surely was not a man of letters who would sit down and read literature. Yet he was a thinker, and he often would leave Mecca for a cave on a nearby mountain, seeking peace of mind. He would sit in that cave for hours and contemplate nature, society, and the meaning of life.
During one of these private meditations, he heard the commandment, “Recite.” This very first word of the revelation he received—iqra in Arabic—hinted at the name of the scripture it would ultimately form: the Qur’an, which means “recitation.”
During one of these private meditations, he heard the commandment, “Recite.” This very first word of the revelation he received—iqra in Arabic—hinted at the name of the scripture it would ultimately form: the Qur’an, which means “recitation.”