alNabi

alNabi is the transliteration of the Arabic definite phrase al-Nabi, meaning “the Prophet.” It is not a single person or organization but a linguistic and honorific term used across Arabic texts to designate prophets in Islamic, Judaic, and Christian contexts. In Islamic scholarship, nabī refers to a prophet who delivers God’s revelation; rasūl refers to a prophet who also brings a new divine law. All rasūl are nabī, but not all nabī are rasūl. The distinction is linguistic and theological, and the term al-Nabi appears in religious discourse, exegesis, and historical writing.

The definite article al- is commonly attached when the name of a prophet is used with the term, producing toponyms and sacred names such as Al-Nabi Musa (the Prophet Moses) and Al-Nabi Yunus (the Prophet Jonah). These forms often mark shrines, tombs, or sites associated with the prophets and are found across the Middle East and North Africa. Spelling and diacritics vary by language and transcription system; you may also encounter Nabi or Nabī without the definite article in different texts.

In contemporary references, al-Nabi functions as a generic linguistic construct rather than a specific subject. It is used to discuss prophets, their roles, and related toponymy in encyclopedic, religious, and historical contexts. Related terms include Nabī (prophet) and Nabi (an alternate transliteration) in discussions of religious nomenclature and Arabic grammar.