What is the Difference Between Rasool and Nabi?

The terms "Rasool" and "Nabi" are both used in the context of Islamic prophets and messengers. However, they have distinct differences:

1. Definition: "Rasool" is an Islamic word for "messenger," while "Nabi" is the Islamic and Hebrew word for "prophet".
2. Scope: Every Rasool (messenger) is a Nabi (prophet), but not every Nabi (prophet) is a Rasool (messenger).
3. Responsibility: A Rasool (messenger) is sent with a new Sharia or code of law by Allah, while a Nabi (prophet) receives revelations and teachings from Allah without a specific message to convey.
4. Number: There are several thousand Nabis (prophets), while there are only 313 Rasools (messengers) out of all the prophets.
5. Community: A Rasool (messenger) is sent towards a particular community or Ummah, while a Nabi (prophet) just preaches to the people around him.
6. Prophethood: A Nabi (prophet) is a prophet by birth, while a Rasool (messenger) becomes a messenger when he gets orders from Allah to preach Islam. For example, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was a Nabi by birth but became a Rasool at the age of 40.
7. Sharia Law: Most of the Rasools (messengers) came with a Sharia Law, while Nabis (prophets) followed the Sharia Law already established.
8. Martyrdom: A Rasool (messenger) cannot be killed, while there are several instances where Nabis (prophets) were killed by non-believers.

Comparative Table: Rasool vs Nabi

The main difference between Rasool and Nabi in Islam is the nature of their responsibilities and the revelations they receive. Here is a comparison between the two:

In summary, a Rasool is a messenger who receives a revelation or book from God, while a Nabi is a prophet who is sent by God without a book or revelation. Every Rasool is a Nabi, but not every Nabi is a Rasool.