Belief / Prophets

Difference between a prophet and a messenger

- by Ayesha Dar
Have you ever wondered why Allah uses two words for the English term “prophet”? Nabi and Rasool are two terms mentioned in the Quran. Are they synonyms or is there any difference between the two?
There are many opinions about this topic and below we will share four of them, the last of which is the correct one:

1) Some scholars say that there is no difference between the two terms, they are synonyms.

But Allah says in the Quran: “And We did not send before you any messenger or prophet except that when he spoke [or recited], Satan threw into it [some misunderstanding].” (Quran 22:52)

Had they been the same thing, then this would be against the eloquence of the Arabic language, it didn’t make sense to put them together.
2) A well-known difference between a prophet and a messenger that is famous among the masses is that a messenger is one to whom a law (Shariah) is revealed and a prophet is one who follows the law of the previous messenger. But this distinction is not free of problems, and we present three examples to explain this:
  • According to this definition, Adam (AS) could not be a prophet as there was no messenger (or a shariah) before him. But we know he was a prophet as Abu Umamah relates that once, a man asked Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and asked him: “Had Adam been a Prophet?” Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) answered: “Yes.” [Sahih Ibn Hibban (6190)].
  • Isa (AS) did not bring a new law, but he is still called a Messenger in the Quran. ❝And remember, Jesus, the son of Mary, said: “O Children of Israel! I am the messenger of Allah (sent) to you, confirming the Law (which came) before me.❞ (Quran 61:6)
  • Dawud (AS) and Sulayman (AS), both had books revealed to them. Still they were both prophets, not messengers. They both followed the sharia of Musa (AS). Zabur (The Psalms of David) still to this day is nothing but songs of praise for the Lord Almighty. It contains no laws.
3) Another definition that is famous is that a prophet is one who is inspired by Allah through wahi (revelation) but he is not commanded to preach it. Whilst a messenger is one to whom a message is revealed and he is commanded to convey it. But this definition is also not free of problems, because:
  • A Prophet is also commanded to call people, convey the Message and judge among the people. The following hadith proves this: ❝When the Prophet (s.a.w) was taken for the Night Journey, he passed by some Prophets, with them were some people; and some Prophets, with them was a group of people; and some Prophets, with them there was no one.❞  (Jami Tirmidhi: Vol. 4, Book 11, Hadith 2446). So we deduct that prophets are meant to be followed, and how can people follow them if they don’t preach?
  • Also it doesn’t make sense because concealing knowledge is a sin and its mandatory for every Muslim to gain and spread knowledge of the Deen.
4) The correct opinion is that of Ibn Taymiyyah who starts differentiating between these 2 terms by defining them. He says: Nabi comes from word Naba’a (information). So a nabi is someone who informs the people what Allah wants him to inform and teach the people. Rasool comes from the word Risala (message). It means to send an emissary/ delegate/ representative/ ambassador. So a rasool is somebody whom Allah sends. And you send a delegate to a people whom you are not on friendly terms with. So a rasool is sent towards a disbelieving nation. Whereas a nabi teaches to a people who already accepts him.
Hence Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: ❝The correct view is that the Messenger is one who is sent to a disbelieving people, and the Prophet is one who is sent to a believing people to teach them and judge between them.❞

Dr. Israr Ahmed summarizes the differences between a prophet and a messenger:

1. Every messenger is a prophet, but every prophet is not necessarily a messenger. Thus prophet is a broader term and messengers are special.

2. When prophet is designated towards a disbelieving people for propagating the message of Islam, he then becomes a messenger. Prophet-hood is a high rank given to special friends of Allah who receive revelation from Him, but messenger-hood is a special appointment, designation.

3. Prophets were murdered by their people, but messengers were never murdered. As Allah says: ❝Allah has written, “I will surely overcome, I and My messengers.” Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.❞ (Quran 58:21)
Yahya (AS) was a prophet, he was murdered. Isa (AS) was a messenger, he was raised alive to Allah.
Keeping this definition and distinction in mind, we can say that Adam (AS) was the first prophet and Nuh (AS) was the first messenger of Islam.

❝Adam (peace be upon him) was the first of the Prophets, as Abu Umamah relates that once, a man asked Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and asked him: “Had Adam been a Prophet?” Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) answered: “Yes.” [Sahih Ibn Hibban (6190)]. But he was not a Messenger, because of the hadith about intercession in which it says that the people will go to Noah and say; ‘O Noah! You are the first amongst the messengers of Allah to the people of the earth, and Allah named you a thankful slave.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3340) 

This text clearly indicates that Nuh was the first of the Messengers. And Allah knows best.❞

Watch a detailed lecture on this topic by Shiekh Yasir Qadhi:

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