The Difference Between a Prophet and a Messenger

From the pillars of the Islaam is the belief in the Prophets and Messengers. The book before you explains this belief and educates the reader upon the upright creed of ahlus-sunnah wal-jama'aah without tafreet (neglect) or ifraat (exaggeration).

From the pillars of the Islaam is the belief in the Prophets and Messengers. The book before you explains this belief and educates the reader upon the upright creed of ahlus-sunnah wal-jama'aah without tafreet (neglect) or ifraat (exaggeration). The author lists twelve differences between a Prophet and a Messenger: The First: The Prophet is the one who Allaah Informs The Second: Most of the Messengers were sent to a Disbelieving People The Third: The Messenger is sent with the Language of his People The Fourth: The Messengers continue Conveying the Religion of Allaah to their people up until they embrace Islaam or Allaah destroys them The Fifth: The Messengers’ Legislation was Different in Most Cases The Sixth: The First of the Messengers was Nooh (‘alayhi salaam) The Seventh: The Difference between the Number of Prophets and Messengers The Eighth: The Saving of the Messengers The Ninth: The Messengers were denied by their People The Tenth: There are Specific Rights of the Messengers The Eleventh: The Agreement amongst the Scholars upon One Statement – that Maryam, Aasiyah, Haajar and the Mother of Moosaa – were not Messengers… The Twelfth: The Virtue of the Messengers over the Prophets After establishing these differences and the importance of having a correct understanding of the issue, the author discusses the need for Prophets and Messengers and the Wisdom behind them being sent by Allaah to Mankind. He dispels prevalent misconceptions and errors, including those who claim, "There is no difference between the Prophets and Messengers." He illustrates the correct understanding and status of the awliyaa and concludes by addressing and refuting the horrible errors and gross exaggeration of some of the deviated sects. A comprehensive read on a matter that is widely misunderstood.

He is Abu Nasr Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdullaah Ibn Husayn Ibn Taahir Ibn ‘Alee Ibn Ghaazee Ar-Raymee, who is known as ‘al-Imaam. He was born in 1380 (corresponding to 1960/1961 CE) in his village, which is known as as-Sahl village The noble shaykh was (raised) in his village, and villages were not like villages nowadays which have schools for teaching the Qur’aan and the likes of that, especially in the country of our shaykh. It (Yemen) is a mountainous, rugged country; very rarely would a teacher come to it during those days. However, during these days of ours, matters have become easy and knowledge has spread through most of the villages, and all the praise is due to Allaah. Our shaykh started learning the recitation of the Qur’aan in his village, then he, may Allaah the most high preserve him, went to the city of Ta’az and began seeking knowledge in one of the institutes for a short period at the beginning of his youth. He saw that it did not satisfy his need nor quench his thirst (for knowledge). So he went to Sa’dah by the tawfeeq (ability) of Allaah. He continued seeking knowledge at the hands of Shaykh Muqbil Ibn Haadee al-Wadi’ee, may Allaah have mercy on him. So he (Abu Nasr) completed the memorization of the Qur’aan in approximately two months. He continued receiving lessons in knowledge, and he exited with a lot of knowledge even though he bore upon his shoulders the responsibility of the imamate, and serving his brothers in the centre. The shaykh, may Allaah preserve him, has a strong memory and a lively mind, he was swift in memorizing and he guarded his time wisely.