What is the difference between "nabi" and "rasul"?
In Islamic terminology, the terms "nabi" (prophet) and "rasul" (messenger) refer to distinct roles in the realm of divine communication. Al-Kafi explains the difference as follows: The messenger is the one on whom Gabriel descends, whom he sees and hears his speech, and to whom revelation is sent, and who may see in a dream like the vision of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). The prophet may sometimes hear the speech or see the person but does not hear; the imam is the one who hears the speech but does not see the person.
Al-Kafi 4:11
This distinction highlights that every rasul is a nabi, as they are both chosen by Allah to convey His message. However, not every nabi is a rasul; the nabi may receive divine guidance but is not necessarily tasked with delivering a new message to the people. Thus, the role of a rasul is more specific and involves delivering a message or a set of laws, while a nabi primarily serves as a guide and spiritual leader.
Sources
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Al-Kafi 4:11
Al-Kafi · Book 4, Hadith 11
Al-Hasan ibn al-Abbas al-Ma’rufi wrote to al-Ridha (peace be upon him): 'May I be sacrificed for you. Tell me the difference between a messenger, a prophet, and an imam.' He wrote or said: The difference is that the messenger is the one on whom Gabriel descends, whom he sees and hears his speech, and to whom revelation is sent, and who may see in a dream like the vision of Ibrahim (peace be upon him). The prophet may sometimes hear the speech or see the person but does not hear; the imam is the one who hears the speech but does not see the person. — OR — The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) said: Do not hesitate to keep company with the intelligent person even if their generosity is not praiseworthy; benefit from their wisdom and beware of their bad manners. Do not abandon the companionship of the noble person even if you do not profit from their intellect; benefit from their generosity with your own intellect and flee completely from the mean and foolish. — OR — Whoever God accepts one prayer from, He will not punish him, and whoever He accepts a good deed from, He will not punish him. — OR — I asked Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) about game caught by a trained dog that has eaten some of it. He said, 'Eat from it.' — OR — No one who sheds blood, drinks wine, or spreads slander will enter Paradise.
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