The correct view is that the Messenger is sent to a disbelieving people, and the Prophet is sent to a believing people with the same Shari`ah of the Messenger who came before him, to teach them and judge between them.
Question
What is the difference between a Prophet and a Messenger in Islam, and is Muhammad ﷺ the final Prophet?
Bottom Line
Messenger to disbelievers, Prophet to believers, and Muhammad ﷺ is the Seal of both.
Quick Answer
The Qur’an and Sunnah clarify: Messengers (Rasul) are sent with revelation to disbelievers, while Prophets (Nabi) guide believers under an existing Shari‘ah. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is Khatam an-Nabiyyin (Seal of the Prophets), which by necessity ends all messengers too.
Key Takeaways
- Messenger (Rasul): Sent to disbelieving people with a new revelation and Shari‘ah.
- Prophet (Nabi): Sent to a believing people to teach and judge by a previous Shari‘ah.
- Finality: The Qur’an and Hadith confirm Muhammad ﷺ as the last Prophet, which means the last Messenger too.
Detailed Answer
The Difference Between a Prophet and a Messenger
Common View: A Messenger brings a new law, while a Prophet does not. However, this is weak since Prophets were also commanded to judge and call people.
Correct View (Ibn Taymiyyah): A Messenger is sent to a people who disbelieve, bringing revelation. A Prophet is sent to a believing community, following and applying the Shari‘ah of a previous Messenger.
“Indeed, We sent down the Tawrah, in which was guidance and light. The Prophets who submitted themselves judged by it for the Jews…” Qur’an 5:44
Example: The Prophets among Bani Isra’il judged by the Tawrah revealed to Musa (Moses).
Finality of Prophethood in Islam
Qur’anic Evidence:
“…but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last of the Prophets.” Qur’an 33:40
This specifies “Prophets,” meaning when Prophethood ends, Messengership ends too. The reverse would not hold.
Prophetic Evidence:
“There will be no Prophet after me.” Sahih al-Bukhari 3455
This confirms Muhammad ﷺ is both the final Prophet and the final Messenger.
What This Means for You
Islam’s message is complete and final. No new Prophet or Messenger will come after Muhammad ﷺ. The Qur’an and Sunnah are the last guidance for humanity until the Day of Judgment.
References
Primary Sources
Qur’an
- Surah al-Mā’idah 5:44: Prophets judged by the Tawrah.
- Surah al-Aḥzāb 33:40: Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah and the last Prophet.
Hadith
- Sahih al-Bukhari 3455, Book of Virtues, Hadith 118: “There will be no Prophet after me.”
- Sahih Muslim 2286, Book of Virtues, Hadith 30: Finality of Prophethood.
Secondary Sources
- Majmū‘ al-Fatāwā by Ibn Taymiyyah: Includes Ibn Taymiyyah’s explanation of the difference between a Prophet and a Messenger.
- Al-Risālah al-Nubuwwah by Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī: A classical theological treatise discussing the nature and necessity of Prophethood.
- Sharḥ al-‘Aqīdah al-Ṭaḥāwiyyah: Commentary on Imam al-Ṭaḥāwī’s creed, clarifying the finality of Prophethood.
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