Write: `In your name, O Allah!

Write: `In your name, O Allah!” The Prophet (PBUHH) agreed and ordered `Ali (SA) to write accordingly. Then, the Prophet (SA) ordered him to write: “This is a contract being concluded between Muhammad, Allah’s Messenger and the Quraysh”. The representative for the Quraysh objected saying: “We do not regard you as Allah’s Messenger.” Only your followers regard you likewise. If we had regarded you as Allah’s Messenger, we would not have fought against you, nor had barred your entry to Mecca.

Write your name and your father’s name”. The Prophet (PBUHH) said: “Whether or not you regard me as Allah’s Messenger, I am Allah’s Messenger”. Then, he ordered `Ali (AS) to write: “This is a treaty being concluded between Muhammad ibn `Abdillah and the people of Quraysh.” It was at this point that the Muslims became angry. From this point on, the historical accounts differ in certain respects.

From Ibn Hisham’s “Sirat Ibn Hisham” and also from Sahih Al-Bukhari [1] ( Bab Shurut fi al- Jihad wal-Musalahah ma’a Ahl al-Harb ), it can be concluded that this objection was made before the words “Allah’s Messenger” were written, whereupon the Prophet (PBUHH) agreed immediately to have “ Muhammad ibn `Abdillah” written for “Muhammad, Allah’s Messenger”. Yet, it can be concluded from most accounts that the objection was made at a time when `Ali (AS) had already written the words.

The Prophet (PBUHH) then requested `Ali (AS) to erase the words, whereupon `Ali (AS) requested to be excused from doing so. Here, again the texts differ. The Shi’ah ahadith’s texts agree that upon `Ali’s (AS) expressed refusal to erase the sacred words, the Prophet (PBUHH) himself erased the words, in place of which `Ali (AS) wrote: “Muhammad ibn `Abdillah “.

In these texts and in certain Sunni ahadith texts, there is an explicit reference to the fact that the Prophet (PBUHH) requested `Ali (AS) to show him the words by placing his hand on the words so that he might erase the words with his own hands. `Ali (AS) did so and the Prophet (PBUHH) erased the words “Allah’s Messenger” with his own hand. Then, `Ali (AS) wrote “ibn `Abdillah”, instead. Therefore, it was `Ali (AS) who did the writing and not the Prophet (PBUHH).

Rather, in accordance with both Shi’i accounts, and those of the Sunni, the Prophet (PBUHH) neither read nor wrote.