A Comparative Study of Fariqain Commentators View on Semantic Interrelation of Nabi, Rasul and Imam

The three words nabi, rasul and imam and their derivatives have been frequently cited in the holy Quran. Though Quranic verses do not say anything about their interrelation clearly, regarding all related verses, we may attain a reasonable opinion in the field. Fariqain commentators have viewed the subject differently. In the paper, four views of Sunni commentators and two of Shiite commentators have been studied. On the relation between nabi and rasul five and on the relation between imam and the two words nabi and rasul four different views from the six aforementioned commentaries may be brought into consideration. Finally, on the former, Allameh Tabatabaie`s view with regard to its comprehension, reasonability and more Quranic documentation became agreed with. Yet, on the latter field, though Allameh`s view possesses new and exact points, none of commentators` views have been agreed with by the paper.