Did the Prophet Muhammad PBUH Know Other Languages Besides Arabic and Hebrew?

Accompanied by the rich cultural tapestry of human history, the figure of Prophet Muhammad PBUH (Peace Be Upon Him) stands as a beacon of guidance and wisdom. Among the many questions surrounding his earthly life, one often arises: Was he conversant in languages other than Arabic and Hebrew?

Language Proclivities of the Prophet

Sayyidunaa Aadam AlaihisSalaam, the first human, was bestowed with the knowledge of all the languages of the world. However, Prophet Muhammad PBUH was far more than just an ordinary being but a messenger of God sent to guide all of humanity. There are no historical records or direct evidence of his command over languages other than Arabic. Furthermore, it is important to note that PBUH was an illiterate person, reflecting the amazed curiosity and respect towards his divinely guided communication.

According to historical accounts, al-Khafaji mentions that PBUH spoke Amharic, which is reasonable given that his first wet-nurse, Umm Ayman, was from Abyssinia. It is also plausible that he interacted with people from different linguistic backgrounds, such as those who spoke Greek and Syriac, due to his business trips to Syria. These interactions certainly enriched his linguistic repertoire, reflecting his ability to communicate across different cultures.

Prophet Muhammad's Literacy and Language Abilities

While the Prophet was indeed illiterate, his linguistic ability cannot be understated. His local Qurayshi dialect was quite distinct from the poetic koine of the Quran, which was a kind of lingua franca used for intertribal communication, akin to pre-modern Latin. Quranic Arabic, as we know it today, would have sounded "old" to its first audience, similar to how Shakespeare sounds to modern English speakers.

It is believed that PBUH was a polyglot, possessing linguistic abilities that enabled him to write down transactions and record important information in a ledger. Juan Cole argues that PBUH was not just literate in Arabic but also in Greek, as his job required him to conduct various business activities and communicate with different people.

Prophet Muhammad PBUH likely spoke a range of bedouin dialects, as implied in hadith literature. This breadth of linguistic knowledge underscores his remarkable ability to engage with and guide diverse communities in his mission to spread the message of Islam.

The Illiterate Prophet and the Quran

Prophet Muhammad PBUH was an illiterate man who delivered us the Holy Quran. This fact is not a coincidence; it was indeed part of God's plan to demonstrate that the Quran is the divine word and not something written by a human. An illiterate person could not have created such a meticulously structured, precise, and scientifically accurate text. The complexity and coherence of the Quran, its detailed scientific content, and the manner in which it addresses contemporary issues cannot be attributed to human capability alone.

Despite this, some of the unbelievers of the time accused Prophet Muhammad PBUH of being a poet or a magician. Such accusations further served to highlight the extraordinary nature of the Quran's message and the undeniable divinity of its contents.

As we follow the path of guidance and righteousness, may the Almighty guide us to the right path, always cherishing the wisdom and teachings of Prophet Muhammad PBUH.