Is There A Difference Between A Messenger And A Prophet?

By Shaikh Muhammad Bin Saalih Bin Uthaymeen (rahimahullah)

Jun 25, 2025

Q: Is there a difference between a Messenger and a Prophet?

A: Yes the people of knowledge say: indeed the Nabi [Prophet] is one to whom Allaah has inspired with legislation and he has not been commanded to convey it rather he acts upon it himself without any coercion to convey it. And the Rasool [Messenger]: he is the one who was inspired with legislation and commanded to convey it and acts upon it, so every Messenger is a Prophet and not every Prophet is a Messenger.

The Prophets are more than the Messengers and indeed Allaah has narrated some of the stories of the Messengers in the Qur'aan and He did not narrate some others. Allaah the Most High says:

"And, indeed We have sent Messengers before you (O Muhammad); of some of them We have related to you their story and of some We have not related to you their story, and it was not given to any Messenger that he should bring a sign except by the Leave of Allâh. So when the Commandment of Allâh comes, the matter will be decided with truth, and the followers of falsehood will then be lost. (Ghafir: 78)"

And that which has been built upon in this ayah is the clarification that everyone who has been mentioned in the Qur'aan from the Anbiya [Prophets] is a Rasool [Messenger].