Why Allah Commands Muhammad to Read if he’s illiterate

Surah Al Alaq, Q96:1-5 describe the event of first revelation from Allah almighty to Prophet Muhammad during his meditation in Hiraq cave. In the Quran 96:1, Allah commands Prophet Muhammad with the word “Iqra”. The verse is later on mistakenly being translated as ‘Read’ in English translation Quran.

In Arabic, Iqra’ itself indeed give meanings to ‘read’. However, it also means to “Proclaim” messages.

The exact meaning for this word is “the command from God to Prophet Muhammad to proclaim the messages of Islam to the people according to the revelation.”

It is impossible if we command someone who is illiterate to read something from text materials, but it is making sense if we command someone to proclaim the messages which he has been taught.

The Quran makes it clear in Q29:48 and Q7:157 that Prophet Muhammad was illiterate.

For the sake of arguments, if we agree that Muhammad was not illiterate, what does it prove? That he authored the Quran? What then do we say of Moses (P) and Jesus (P) who were not illiterate? Does their literacy prove they authored their respective scriptures?