The aim of this essay is to examine the interpretation of the qur’anic word ummi by analysing how the term was interpreted by medieval muslim scholars in juxtaposition to the interpretation of the contemporary shiite muslim scholar Husayn Tabataba’i. The essay utilises a method of close-reading based on the given definition of the method by Grenholm and focuses on the medieval interpretation of the word ummi as researched in Sebastian Günthers academic article Muḥammad, the Illiterate Prophet as well as the given interpretation of Tabataba’i in Tafsir al-Mizan. The prophet Muhammed is described in the Qur’an as al-nabi al-ummi, an epithet often understood as ”the illiterate prophet”. By analysing the various exegetical interpretations of term ummi, the thesis hopes to reach a conclusion regarding the literacy or illiteracy of the islamic prophet in addition to elucidate what the meaning of ummi might be on a general level. The essay departs from the theoretical understanding of prophethood and the Qur’an as describe in shiite tradition, thus regarding the doctrinal affinity of  Tabataba’i in examining his interpretation.  The essay concludes that the perception of the prophet Muhammed being illiterate is a rather contemporary notion not shared by medieval muslim exegetical scholars. Husayn Tabataba’is exegesis in Tafsir al-Mizan suggest a different interpretation of the word ummi providing clarification and coherent explanation in his reading of the term.

This dissertation seeks to capture Muhammad's emergence as Prophet. It starts from the premise that he located himself as a Prophet within a fraternity of prophethood. More specifically he has seen his work as a continuation of the Biblical prophetic tradition. However he has stressed his election as correcting what has been altered in this Biblical tradition. Muhammad: A prophet of God argues that he has as prophet the same defining elements as Biblical prophets; as result we must not criticise him unnecessarily, that is, for the sake of fitting him into our categories. Muhammad must be seen terms of his experiences. In addition we must capture his contribution to humanity. / Religious Studies & Arabic / M.A. (Religious Studies)

This dissertation seeks to capture Muhammad's emergence as Prophet. It starts from the premise that he located himself as a Prophet within a fraternity of prophethood. More specifically he has seen his work as a continuation of the Biblical prophetic tradition. However he has stressed his election as correcting what has been altered in this Biblical tradition. Muhammad: A prophet of God argues that he has as prophet the same defining elements as Biblical prophets; as result we must not criticise him unnecessarily, that is, for the sake of fitting him into our categories. Muhammad must be seen terms of his experiences. In addition we must capture his contribution to humanity. / Religious Studies and Arabic / M.A. (Religious Studies)