Was the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) illiterate, not knowing how to read or write?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was illiterate; he could neither read nor write. This is evidenced by verses from the Holy Quran, such as the Almighty's saying: "And you did not recite before it any book, nor did you inscribe it with your right hand" (29:48), and His saying: "Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet" (7:157). His illiteracy (peace be upon him) was a miracle and proof of the truthfulness of his prophethood, because it negated any suspicion that he learned what he brought from previous scriptures. Had he been able to read and write, the falsifiers would have found a way to cast doubt. His description as unlettered was mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel, and his mission among the unlettered was a great blessing, in conformity with what the prophets before him had foretold, and to confirm the truthfulness of his message.