annabiyyn

Annabiyyn, transliterated as an-nabīyīn in Arabic (النَّبِيِّين), is the Arabic term meaning "the prophets." It is the definite plural form of nabi and is used to refer to those chosen by God to convey divine guidance to humanity. In Islamic scripture and tradition, an-nabiyīn denotes the collective body of prophets who carried God's message across different eras.

In Islamic thought, a nabi is a prophet who receives revelation and guidance from God. Some nabīyīn are also rasūl (messengers) who bring a new revelation or scripture to their people. The Qur'an and hadith frequently mention nabīyīn and describe their roles within a broader framework of revelation and guidance.

The terms nabī and rasūl express related, but not identical, concepts. All rasūl are nabīyīn, but not all nabīyīn are rasūl. The distinction helps explain why some prophets are associated with scripture while others are not. In practice, rasūl are sent with a new book or law, while nabīyīn may reaffirm previous revelations or guide communities without introducing a new scripture.

Islamic tradition names twenty-five prophets by name in the Qur'an, including Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Muhammad is regarded as the final prophet (the seal of the prophets) and, in most traditions, the last rasūl. Other unnamed nabīyīn are believed to have preceded him or appeared alongside historical figures.

The term an-nabiyīn also appears in Arabic translations and commentaries of biblical prophets, reflecting the shared linguistic and religious heritage of Islam with Judaism and Christianity. It serves as a linguistic and theological category rather than a single historical figure.