THE QURAN EXPLAINS THE TRUE MEANING OF “UMMY”

By Email M Labor, Kano, Nigeria.
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DEFINITION OF UMMY
The word Ummy clearly means “Gentile,” or one who does not follow scripture (Torah, Injeel) [see 2:78, 3:20 & 75, 62:2]; it does NOT mean “illiterate.”
THE QURAN EXPLAINS THE TRUE MEANING OF “UMMY”
Let’s examine the true meaning of “ummy” in the Quran. Anyone can easily understand that “ummy” does not mean an illiterate person by reflecting on the verse 3:20 below:
“And say to those who received the scripture, as well as those who did not receive any scripture (ummyyeen)”
It is obvious that “ummy” does not mean illiterate because it has been used as the antonym of the people of the scripture. If the verse was” … And say to those literate and illiterate”, then their above translation of “ummy” would be correct.
According to the verse 3:20 the people of Arab peninsula were two main groups:
The people of the scripture, i.e., Jews and Christians.
Gentiles, who did not receive any scripture.
If the people who were neither Jews nor Christians were called “ummyyeen” (3:20; 3:75), then the meaning of “ummy” is very clear. As a matter of fact, the verse 3:75 clearly explains its meaning as
gentile.