How Many Prophets & Messengers?
Kindly define these terms for me as to how you differentiate between Nabi & Rasul?
The Qur’an has used the words “Nabi” (literally meaning: “one who informs”) and Rasu’l” (literally meaning: “one who delivers a message”) as terms as well as in their literal meanings. In their literal meaning, these words have also been used interchangeably. However, as terms of the Qur’an the two words have been used in a more qualified and distinct implication. “Nabi”, as a term of the Qur’an refers to individuals selected by the Almighty for the specific purpose of delivering the message revealed to him from God and to remind people of the Day when they shall be presented before the Almighty and shall have to answer for their deeds. In other words, “Nabi” is an individual who guides his people to the path of the Creator’s liking, in the light of the message revealed to him. On the other hand, “Rasu’l” (as a term of the Qur’an) is a special position, which was given only to a few of the “Nabis”. Every “Nabi” is not necessarily a “Rasu’l”. According to the details provided by the Qur’an regarding the position of “Rasu’l”, the following points can be derived: God sends His “Rasu’ls” as symbols of His final Judgment. A “Rasu’l”, in contrast to a “Nabi” is not just a deliverer of God’s message. In addition to being a deliverer of God’s message, he decides the fate of his addressees, on the basis of the response that he receives from them. The Qur’an, regarding “Rasu’ls” says: “Those who oppose God and His Rasu’ls shall be brought low. God has decreed: I will surely triumph, Myself and My Rasu’ls. God is Most Powerful, Mighty.” (Al-Mujadilah 58: 20, 21) It should be quite clear from this clarification, that though “Nabi” and “Rasu’l” are separate designations of the Qur’an and all Nabis are not Rasu’l, yet all “Rasu’ls” are “Nabis” too . Thus when the Qur’an said that Mohammad (pbuh) is “the seal of Nabis”, it automatically implies that the Qur’an holds him as the seal of “Rasu’ls” too, because a person who is a “Rasu’l”, according to the Qur’an, has to be a “Nabi” first. (Moiz Amjad)