RISALAH - رسالـة

Literally & Etymologically:

It originates from the Arabic root ra-sa-la (ر-س-ل), which carries the core meanings of sending someone on a mission, dispatching a message in succession, or moving forth smoothly and continuously. It is the verbal noun designating the act or office of being sent with a mission. It is closely related to the terms rasûl (رَسُول) (the messenger or one who is dispatched), irsâl (إِرْسَال) (the act of sending forth) and mursal (مُرْسَل) (the one who has been commissioned and sent).

As an Islamic Term:

Risalah is the supreme office and sacred duty of messengership bestowed by Allah upon a chosen rasûl, whereby he is officially commissioned and dispatched to humanity with a revealed message, scripture, or Sharî‘ah to guide them out of darknesses into nûr and to establish the commands of Allah. It is the highest mirror of Allah's rubûbiyyah and rahmah over humanity. Through risalah, the Creator bridges the infinite distance between Him and His creation, establishing a direct line of hidâyah for his ‘abds through His appointed messengers.

The Distinction Between Risalah and Nubuwwah:

• Nubuwwah (نبوة - Prophethood): Deriving from the word naba’, which means momentous and weighty news, it denotes the general station of receiving news, haqiqahs and wahy from Allah and conveying them. Its primary character lies in the reception and conveyance of haqiqahs; thus, it possesses a broader meaning.

• Risalah (رسالة - Messengership): Deriving from the word rasl, which means dispatching sequentially, it represents the active, executive and outward-facing mission. Beyond merely receiving, risalah entails being officially dispatched to deliver, execute, and establish the message, scripture, or Sharî‘ah among a community or all humanity.

Conclusion:

Risalah is the active execution and public proclamation of the haqiqahs received through nubuwwah. While every rasûl inherently possesses the station of nubuwwah, risalah marks the supreme executive commission to convey, implement and uphold the law of Allah among mankind.

(Please also refer to the Eleventh Word and the Nineteenth Word.)