Misquoting Muhammad: The Challenge and Choices of Interpreting the Prophet's Legacy

by Jonathan A.C. Brown

William Graham, who describes scripture as a ‘sacred and authoritative text.’ More

Concerning the written word, its hazards were known as far back as Plato. Writing may seem a ‘sure receipt for memory and wisdom,’ warned the Athenian, but it is only a ‘shadow’ of real knowledge. Written knowledge is passive before the reader and unable to defend itself against misunderstanding. People read into books only what they already believe, and books cannot correct them. Only living teachers can. For the disciple seeking knowledge, it is the master who passes on true, sound wisdom, not the book.10 Left to their own devices, the uninitiated may choose their texts poorly. When dealing with claims of prophetic revelation, only the master knows the difference between the written words of God and the forgeries of Satan.