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Imamate And Prophethood in the Shias' Viewpoint 3 - Al-Shia The Scientific and Cultural Website of Shia belief Imamate And Prophethood in the Shias’ Viewpoint 3 2023-02-17 713 Views Prophethood , Imamate , Imamate in the Qur'an In continuation of the discussion on the concepts of Imamate and Prophethood, we shall highlight about the difference between Nabi and Rasul in this part. Difference between Nabi and Rasul In Arabic, there are no separate words for Messenger and Apostle.

📌The distinction is between Nabi (Prophet) and Rasul (Messenger or Apostle): 1- Nabi (i.e., Prophet) 2- Rasul (i.e., Messenger=Apostle) Note that the degree of prophethood is lower than the degree of messengership/apostleship. By definition: 1. A Prophet (Nabi) is a person to whom the Divine Law (Shari’ah) descends; this divine law may be concerned with beliefs (aqa’id) or with practical activities (Ibadat, like prayer).

This Divine Law either deals with the Nabi’s personal life or with that of his community; or both. This is the fundamental definition of prophethood, though the prophet may also be informed of other things. The descent of the Divine Law (Shari’ah) may be direct, or through an intermediary like an angel. 2. A Human Messenger/Apostle (Rasul) is a Prophet who receives a Divine Law that concerns himself and people other than himself. So every (human) Rasul is Nabi, while the reverse is not true.

Also every Nabi whom Quran has mentioned along with a community (Umma), is consequently a Rasul. Thus when Quran states that Mohammad (PBUH&HF) is the last Prophet,(1) then by the above definition, he is the last Messenger/Apostle also.

📌Note that the word “Human” is important in the definition of Rasul because the Quran uses the term “Rasul” also for angels who issue a command at the will of Allah (SWT): “Allah chooses Messengers from ANGELS and from men, for Allah is He Who hears and sees (all things) (2). “There came Our Messengers to Abraham with glad tidings. They said,”Peace!” he answered, “Peace!” and hastened to entertain them with a roasted calf.

” “When Our Messengers came to Lut, he was grieved on their account and felt himself powerless (to protect) them. He said: This is a distressful day.” “(The Messengers) said: O Lut! we are Messengers from thy Lord!…” However, a Nabi is only a human being — no angel can be called a Nabi. So every (human) Rasul is a Nabi, while every human Nabi is not necessarily a Rasul.

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