What is the difference between a Nabi and a Rasul?

The Shaykh : Yes, indeed. This is carried in the same way the prophethood of 'Isa was carried. Yes.

The questioner : Shaykh, what is the difference between a nabi (prophet) and a rasul (messenger)?

The Shaykh : The difference between a nabi and a rasul is what the majority of scholars held: that a nabi is one to whom a shari'ah (divine law) was revealed, but he was not commanded to convey it. For this reason, he is called a nabi and not a rasul, because he was not commanded to do so, though he was not forbidden from conveying it. There is a difference between saying he was not commanded to convey it and saying he was forbidden from conveying it. This is analogous to what Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) said regarding those who did not rebuke the rulers. Some people blamed him and asked, "Why did you not forbid the evil?" Shaykh al-Islam said there is a difference between remaining silent about forbidding evil and approving of the evil. Remaining silent about forbidding evil, when one is unable to forbid it or fears a greater evil, is not a blame for the person; in fact, he may be praised for leaving off the prohibition out of fear of a greater harm. However, if he commands the evil, then in that case he is blamed for commanding the evil and approving of the evil.