The noun "gentile" is generally applied to an individual who is ignorant of the Scriptures. In the English dictionary the synonym for "gentile" is "pagan". Historically, the term gentile was used by the governing Romans for the non-Romans (foreigners); it was adopted by the Jews specifically for the Christians and the non-Jews; in turn the Christians used it for the Pagans and the non-Christians. In the Qur'an the term al-Ummiyyiina (plural of Ummi), is generally translated as "the Unlettered folks". In his commentary to the Qur'anic Verse 62:2, Abdullah Yusuf Ali writes: "The Unlettered: as applied to a people, it refers to the Arabs, in comparison with the People of the Book..."

       It would be incorrect to claim that the Qur'an has called the Arabs of the Arabian peninsula, living in the seventh century, as "the illiterate folks". We know from the biography of the Prophet (s.a.s.), that he used to dictate the revealed verses of the Qur'an to his companions, many of whom came from the communities of the Pagan Arabs, and, they used to write down the dictated texts. Later on, these written texts were compared with other recorded texts for their accuracy, before the compilation of the Qur'an in the year 650 C.E. 
The history also records that during the life of the Prophet there were many Arab poets. Poet Hasan ibn Thabit of Medina, a contemporary of the Prophet had composed many verses praising the Prophet, after his conversion. Pagan poet Nadhr ibn al-Harith was known for the composition of Persian romances.

The Qur'an...

       Below are the verses of the Qur'an wherein these terms are used:

62: 2  It is He Who has sent amongst the unlettered ones (Ummiyyiina) a messenger of their own, to recites unto them His revelations and to make them grow and to instruct them in the Scripture and Wisdom, though they had been before in manifest error.  

3: 20 So if they dispute with thee (O' Muhammad) say: "I have submitted my whole self to Allah and so have those who follow me."  And say unto those who have received the Scriptures and those who read not (the Scripture) (Ummiyyiina): "Do ye (also) submit yourselves?" If they do submit, then they are in right guidance but if they turn back thy duty is only to convey the Message (unto them) and Allah is the Seer of (His) bondmen.

3: 75  Among the People of the Scripture are some who if entrusted with a hoard of gold will (readily) pay it back; others who if entrusted with a single silver coin will not repay it unless thou constantly stoodest demanding because they say "We have no duty to these Pagans (Ummiyyiina)."  But they tell a lie against Allah and they know it.  

2: 78 Among them are unlettered folk (Ummiyyiina) who know the Scripture not except from hear-say. They do nothing but guess.

7: 157 Those who follow the messenger; the unlettered (Ummi) Prophet whom they find described in the Torah and the Gospel (which are) with them. He will enjoin on them what is just and forbids them what is evil. He will make lawful for them what is good (and pure) and prohibit them from what is bad (and impure)...  

7: 158 Say (O Muhammad): "O mankind! Lo! I am sent unto you all as the messenger of Allah to Whom belongeth the Sovereignity of the heavens and the earth: There is no god but He: it is He that giveth both life and death.  So believe in Allah and His messenger, the unlettered (Ummi), who believed in Allah and His words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided."  
 

Below are the verses from chapter 42 of the 'Book of Isaiah' (K.J.V.). These verse clearly indicate that the God had indeed sent His Messenger in righteousness to give a (new) Covenant as a Light of the Gentiles, to those who were sitting in the darkness in the villages of Kedar. The Gentile Arabs of Arabia were the descendants of Kedar. To learn more on the subject visit:

6   I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a Covenant of the people, for a Light of the Gentiles;

7   To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, {and} them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

8   I {am} the Lord: that {is} my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

9   Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare:  before they spring forth I tell you of them.

10  Sing unto the Lord a new song, {and} his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

11  Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up {their voice}, the villages {that} Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.

12  Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise in the islands.

Allah Alone Knows The Truth...

---

To read other articles by the author please click
INDEX

---

      Please send your comments to author
Akbarally Meherally at  webmaster9@mostmerciful.com