The difference between a Nabi (Prophet) and a Rasool (Messenger)

The difference between a Nabi (Prophet) and a Rasool (Messenger) is an important distinction in Islamic theology. Both are chosen by Allah, but they have different roles and responsibilities.

 1. Definition:

Nabi (نَبِيّ): A Prophet is a man chosen by Allah to receive divine revelation and guide people, usually within an already believing community.

Rasool (رَسُول): A Messenger is a Prophet given a new Shari’ah (law) and sent to a disbelieving nation to call them from shirk (polytheism) to tawheed (monotheism).

 2. Revelation and Law:

Nabi: Receives revelation but does not bring a new law. He follows the law of the previous Rasool.

Example: Prophet Haroon (A.S.) was a Nabi who followed the law revealed to Musa (A.S.).

Rasool: Receives revelation with a new divine law (Shari’ah).

Example: Prophet Musa (A.S.), Isa (A.S.), and Muhammad (ﷺ) were Rasools with new laws.

 3. Scope of Mission:

Nabi: Sent to a specific group, often to maintain or remind an already believing community.

Rasool: Sent to a people who had deviated or never believed, often with warnings and major consequences if they reject.

 4. Rejection and Consequence:

Nabi: If people reject a Nabi, punishment is not always immediate or worldly.

Rasool: If people reject a Rasool, divine punishment often follows (like the people of Nuh, Aad, Thamud, etc.).

 5. Quantity:

Many more Anbiya (Prophets) than Rasools.

Hadith mentions: 124,000 Anbiya and 315 Rasools (Abu Dharr in Musnad Ahmad).

 Example Chart:

Name Nabi Rasool Notes

Adam (A.S.)   First Prophet and Messenger
Nuh (A.S.)   First Rasool to disbelievers
Haroon (A.S.)   Prophet with Musa’s Shari’ah
Musa (A.S.)   Brought the Torah
Isa (A.S.)   Brought the Injeel
Muhammad ﷺ   Final Nabi and Rasool

 Final Note:

All Rasools are also Nabis, but not all Nabis are Rasools.

> Qur’an (Al-Hajj 22:52):
“We did not send before you any Rasool or Nabi except that when he spoke, Shaytan threw in some falsehood…”

This verse shows both are different roles.