The illiteracy of Prophet Muhammad always becomes academically controversy past and now. It causes some interpretation of ummiy definition. Al-Qur’an has talked about ummiy six times, in different redaction and context. It is either in singular form like ummiy or plural as ummiyyun/ummiyyin. It appears in QS. al-A’raf: 157-158, QS. ali Imran: 20/75, QS. al-Baqarah: 78, and the last QS. al-Jumu’ah: 2.
In this research, the researcher will use library research. In analyzing data, researcher only focuses on discussing the verses that explain ummiy. Furthermore, researcher wants to get deeply understanding of the meaning by using method comparative (muqoronah). The purpose is to know several aspects related to like asbab al-Nuzul, munasabah ayah, vocabulary, etc.
Moreover, here researcher will use the book of interpretation by three interpreters who have different era, background and method. The first one is Ibnu Katsir (1258-1286 M). He was famous as scholar of last period (mutaakhirin). In interpreting Al-Qur’an, he used tahlili method, muqarin and tafsir bil ma’tsur. Secondly is Sayyid Quthb (1906-1966M). His book—Tafsir Fi Zhilalil Qur’an—is often used as reference by scholars past and now. His ability in language and literature are the uniqueness of his book. The last is Quraish Shihab (1944). His famous interpretation in Indonesian, and so far considered as objective interpreter. From those three interpreters will make different result of term ummiy.
In general, the term of ummiy in al-Qur’an has some meaning. Firstly, about the invitation of faith, missionary follows prophet. Secondly is based on definition which means no ability in reading and writing. However, it does not mean uneducated. In other side, the root of term ummiy can be ummah, which means at that time Arab people rarely can read and write. Although, prophet is called as ummiy—no ability to read and write—his ability in science and knowledge is from Allah directly. Al-Qur’an which revealed to him, which the authenticity was guided.
We are required to follow the Prophet's character and the nature of the ummiy. Like hablumminallah, relationship to God, which we are required to continue always being in state of faith and keeping Aqidah. Then hablumminannas, human relations. We should always be an honest, trustworthy, keeping promises, and other goodness to fellow humans, as has been taught by Rasulullah PBUH. Both are in the field muamalah (buying and selling) and when socializing to the public