Messengers and Prophets

What is the difference between a Messenger and a Prophet?

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• There are similarities and differences between Messengers (Rusul) and Prophets (Anbiyaa): They were all men. They were all trustworthy and honest. They all had the same mission: to spread the concept of Tawheed. They all carried out their missions successfully.
• The differences between Messengers and Prophets are that Messengers were sent with new laws that everyone had to follow. The new laws cancelled out some or all of the previous laws of the other Messengers. In addition, Allah ﷻ sent down a Divine Book to each of His Messengers:

لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْمِيزَانَ ( سورة الحديد ٢٥ )

We have already sent Our Messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scriptures…(Soorat al-Hadeed: 25)

• Therefore, things that were forbidden for one Messenger may have been allowed for another and vice versa. The reason for this was the Wisdom and Mercy of Allah ﷻ Although it is good to explore Allah’s ﷻ wisdom, it is incorrect to question the reasons behind Allah’s actions. Muslims accept, reject, love or dislike, just as Allah ﷻ orders them to do.
• All the Prophets followed the teachings of the Messengers that came before them. They did not come with new legislation, but they were sent to support the laws of the previous Messengers.
• It is important to know that all the Messengers were Prophets, but not all the Prophets were Messengers.
• All Prophets and Messengers received revelation from Allah ﷻ , and all had the basic message of inviting people to worship Allah ﷻ alone:

( سورة النحل : ٣٦ ) وَلَقَدْ بَعَثْنَا فِى كُلِّ أُمَّةٍۢ رَّسُولًا أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ ۖ

And We certainly sent into every nation a Messenger, (saying). “Worship Allah and avoid taaghoot.” (Soorat an-Nahl: 36)

• The exact number of Prophets and Messengers that were sent by Allah ﷻ is unknown. However, it is known that Allah ﷻ sent many more of them than we may be aware of.
• Aadam (عليه السلام) was the first Prophet, and Nooh (عليه السلام) was the first Messenger sent by Allah ﷻ .

What we learn from the lesson:

1. Prophets as well as Messengers received revelation from Allah ﷻ .
2. Messengers came with new legislation and were given Divine Books.
3. There were more Prophets than Messengers.
4. Aadam (عليه السلام) was a Prophet and Nooh (عليه السلام) was both a Messenger and a Prophet.

“Discussion:”

1. What is the diffrence between a Messenger and a Prophet ?