The Difference Between 'Nabiyeen' and 'Anbiyaa'

Question

What is the difference between 'Nabiyeen' and 'Anbiyaa' in the Quran? [AR_ID:957]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you. The term 'Nabiyeen' is a plural form that indicates a sound masculine plural. This form is used when referring to the mental and cognitive attributes of the prophets, in addition to their prophetic nature. On the other hand, 'Anbiyaa' is a broken plural that focuses solely on the increase in the number of individuals referred to by this term, without considering any other attributes or states. It is noteworthy that the term 'Anbiyaa' appears five times in the Quran, four of which discuss the killing of the prophets by disbelievers. The killers are primarily concerned with eliminating the individuals they wish to subjugate to the will of God, whom they invite to believe in Him, without regard for whether the victim possesses intellect or awareness. Allah says: 1- 'Disgrace has been imposed upon them wherever they are found, except for a rope from Allah and a rope from the people, and they have drawn upon themselves wrath from Allah, and poverty has been imposed upon them. That is because they disbelieved in the signs of Allah and killed the prophets unjustly. That is because they disobeyed and were transgressors.' (Surah Al-Imran 112) 2- 'Indeed, Allah has heard the statement of those who said, 'Indeed, Allah is poor, and we are rich.' We will record what they said and their killing of the prophets unjustly, and we will say, 'Taste the punishment of the burning.' (Surah Al-Imran 181) 3- 'So because of their breaking of the covenant and their disbelief in the signs of Allah and their killing of the prophets unjustly, and their saying, 'Our hearts are wrapped.' Rather, Allah has sealed them because of their disbelief, so they do not believe, except for a few.' (Surah An-Nisa 155) 4- 'And when it is said to them, 'Believe in what Allah has sent down,' they say, 'We believe in what was sent down to us,' and they disbelieve in what is beyond that, while it is the truth confirming what is with them. Say, 'Then why did you kill the prophets of Allah before, if you were indeed believers?' (Surah Al-Baqarah 91) The fifth verse serves as a reminder to those people that Allah has sent prophets among them, so they cannot claim ignorance of Allah's presence or that His messengers did not reach them. There is no implication of any other attributes in them beyond what has been mentioned. 5- Allah says: 'And when Moses said to his people, 'O my people, remember the favor of Allah upon you when He appointed among you prophets and made you kings and gave you what He had not given anyone among the worlds.' (Surah Al-Ma'idah 20) The term 'Nabiyeen' is used in the context of discussing prophets as rational beings who aim to manage people's affairs with wisdom and understanding, concerned with saving them from destruction and similar matters. 1- Allah says: 'And mankind was one community, and Allah sent prophets as bringers of good tidings and warners, and sent down with them the Scripture in truth to judge between the people concerning that in which they differed. And none differed over it except those who were given it after the clear proofs had come to them, out of jealousy between them. And Allah guided those who believed to that over which they had differed, by His permission. And Allah guides whom He wills to a straight path.' (Surah Al-Baqarah 213) 2- 'And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger - those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor, of the prophets, the steadfast, the martyrs, and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions.' (Surah An-Nisa 69) May you be successful in all good.