Rasul | August 26, 2004

Besides the prophets, the Nabi, the Qu'ran also mentions Apostles, the Rasul. Except for Hud and Salih, apostles who were sent to the arab people before they were given the Qu'ran, it is possible to make the theological distinction of the usage of the Qu'ranic terms Nabi and Rasul by saying every apostle is also a prophet but not all prophets are also apostles. More importantly though is that both terms refer to a inspired religious leader, with Nabi stressing the relationship of the leader to a revealed book (kitab) while Rasul underscores his advocacy to a community of people (Umma). Muhammad, therefore, is described as God's first apostle to the arabs (Hud and Salih notwithstanding) and God's last prophet to mankind, revealing a book without error or contradiction, the Qu'ran.