What is the Difference Between Prophet and Messenger?

The terms "prophet" (Nabi) and "messenger" (Rasul) in Islam are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle distinction between the two. Both prophets and messengers are chosen by Allah to receive divine revelations and guidance. However, there are some differences in their roles:

1. Role: A messenger is a prophet who is specifically chosen by Allah to deliver a new religious law or convey a specific message to a community. In contrast, a prophet may be sent to reinforce previous teachings or to remind people of their responsibilities without necessarily delivering a new religious law.
2. Legislation: It has been said that a messenger is the one who is sent with new legislation, whereas a prophet is the one who comes as a follower of a previous set of legislations.
3. Conveyance: According to the majority of scholars, a prophet receives divine revelation but is not commanded to convey it to people, whereas a messenger is the one who is commanded to convey the divine revelation he has received to people.
4. Rank: Messengers have a higher rank and a more significant role in terms of delivering a specific message, while prophets may be sent to support previous teachings or to remind people of their responsibilities.

In summary, all messengers are prophets, but not all prophets are messengers. The main difference lies in their roles and responsibilities, with messengers being responsible for delivering new religious laws or specific messages, while prophets may be sent to support or reinforce previous teachings.

Comparative Table: Prophet vs Messenger

The difference between a prophet and a messenger in Islam is as follows:

In summary, a prophet is a person who receives divine revelation, while a messenger is a person who has been sent with a divinely revealed message to a specific people. All messengers are prophets, but not all prophets are messengers.