and the foremost in beneficial knowledge. Their blameworthy and deficient state of being unlettered—that is, lacking knowledge and revealed scripture—fell away as they learned the Book and wisdom and were made heirs to the Book.

As He said concerning them:

“It is He who sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves, reciting His verses to them, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although before that they were clearly astray.”

They had thus been unlettered in every respect. Once He had taught them the Book and wisdom, He said concerning them:

“Then We made those whom We chose from among Our servants heirs to the Book. Among them are those who wrong themselves, those who follow a middle course, and those who, by Allah’s permission, are foremost in good deeds.”

Allah Most High also said:

“And this is a blessed Book which We have sent down, so follow it and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy.”

“Lest you say, ‘The Scripture was sent down only to two groups before us, and we were unaware of their studies.’”

“Or say, ‘Had the Scripture been sent down to us, we would have been better guided than they.’”

The supplication of Allah’s intimate friend was answered concerning them when he said:

“Our Lord, send among them a Messenger from themselves who will recite Your verses to them, teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them. Indeed, You are the Almighty, the All-Wise.”

And He said:

“Allah certainly bestowed a great favour upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting His verses to them, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom.”

Thus, some forms of this unlettered condition became prohibited, others disliked, and still others a deficiency and a failure to attain what is better. Anyone who does not recite al-Fātiha or does not recite any of the Quran is termed “unlettered” by the jurists in their chapters on prayer. They contrast him with one who can recite.