What is the difference between "nabi" and "rasul"?

In Islamic terminology, the terms "nabi" and "rasul" have distinct meanings, though they are often closely related. A "nabi" refers to a prophet, someone who is chosen by Allah to receive divine guidance and convey it to the people. This role does not necessarily involve delivering a new message or scripture; rather, a nabi often reinforces existing teachings and guides the community in following divine laws.

On the other hand, a "rasul" is a messenger who is specifically appointed by Allah to deliver a new message or scripture to the people. This role typically entails significant responsibilities, as the rasul must convey Allah's commands and laws that may not have been previously known.

Al-Mizan explains that the distinction lies in their missions: every rasul is a nabi because he is chosen for prophethood, but not every nabi is a rasul since not all are tasked with delivering a new message. This aligns with the view found in the Qur'an, where Allah states, And We have not sent thee (O Muhammad) save as a bringer of good tidings and a warner unto all mankind; but most of mankind know not. 34:28. This verse implies that while the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a rasul delivering God's final message, he is also part of the broader category of prophets.

In summary, while both roles involve receiving divine revelation, the key difference is that a rasul has the specific task of introducing new guidance to the people, whereas a nabi may focus on reinforcing existing messages and leading the community based on prior revelations.