Intellect is the fountainhead of all branches of knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment. It is the source, rather nucleus, of developing an understanding of everything and reaching out to the depth and insight, rather gnosis, of things within and without. It becomes the basis of decisions of proper actions and behaviour relating to, inter-alia, correct policies to be adopted, judicious opinions, clarity of perceptions, adopting virtues and avoiding vices.
A study of the life, deeds and history of Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless and grant him peace, reveals the depth of understanding and the extent of information he encompassed. The wisdom of his sayings, traditions regarding share of inheritance, history of past nations, knowledge of revealed books, managing men and their affairs, role in solving complex issues, praiseworthy habits, interpretation of dreams, medicines, providing firm foundations of a rule of law, the shariah, etc. may be considered in view of the fact that he was an unlettered person who had no source of these manifestations of thehighest possible intellect possible by any human being. He had no human teacher and had no training and exposure to develop this intellectual level. It was all because he was educated and trained by the Almighty Allah.
In fact, the expression Ummi meaning unlettered about the Prophet means the absence of any human being as a teacher or guide as Allah Himself taught and trained him. So, whatever was coming from him was coming directly from Allah who expanded his breast, and enlightened and revealed the Qur’an to him. The knowledge including the depth of understanding and level of intellect that was available to the Prophet was phenomenon past the announcement of his prophet-hood. Prior to that event he had no source of knowledge for these things. The source that made him what he was the almighty Allah, as he declared in His revelation:
“And Allah has revealed to you the Book and wisdom and has taught you that you did not know.” (The Qur’an 4:113)