The prophet is the one who received divine revelation but was not sent with a message or a new methodology. The messenger, on the other hand, is the one sent by Allah with a methodology and legislation that suit his people. Examples include the Torah revealed to Prophet Moses, the Gospel revealed to Jesus, the Qur’an revealed to Prophet Muhammad, the Scriptures of Abraham, and the Psalms of Prophet David.
It is more appropriate to send mankind human messengers to talk to their in own language and act as role models for them. Had Allah sent an angel to mankind as a messenger, and he did what they found difficult to copy, they would have argued that the angel could do what they could not.
Allah Almighty said:
{Say, “If there had been angels walking on earth peacefully, We would have certainly sent down to them from the heaven an angel as a messenger.”} [174] Surat al-Isrā’: 95.
{And if We had made him an angel, We would have surely made him [appear as] a man, and We would have caused them confusion just as they are confused.} [175] Surat al-An‘ām: 9.
Some of the proofs indicating Allah's communication with His creation through revelation are:
1. Wisdom: If someone, for instance, built a house and left it uninhabited and allowed none to inhabit it, even his children, we would normally judge him unwise or abnormal. Bearing in mind that Allah has the highest attributes, there is surely a wisdom behind the creation of the universe and the subjugation of everything in the heavens and earth to man.
2. Fitrah (sound natural disposition): Inside the human soul, there is a strong natural inclination to know one's origin, the source of one's existence, and the purpose behind such existence. Man's Fitrah always drives him to search for the cause of his existence. However, man alone cannot realize his Creator's attributes, the purpose behind his existence, and his destiny. Therefore, the interference of such unseen powers, represented in sending messengers, is necessary for revealing this truth.
Many nations managed to find their way through the heavenly messages, whereas others are still lost in their misguidance trying to find the truth, thinking of nothing beyond terrestrial material symbols.
3. Morals: Our thirst for water is a proof of its existence even before knowing about it. Similarly, our yearning for justice is a proof of the existence of the Just Being.
One who witnesses the deficiencies in this worldly life and the oppression of some people over others, reaches the conviction that life cannot just end with the oppressor's salvation and the loss of the oppressed ones' rights. Rather, the idea of the existence of resurrection, the Hereafter, and divine retaliation brings about feelings of serenity and tranquility. There is no doubt that one who will be held accountable for his deeds cannot be left without direction and guidance, and without encouragement and intimidation, and this is the role of religion.
Moreover, the existence of the current heavenly religions whose followers believe in the divinity of its source is another direct proof of the Creator's communication with mankind. Even if atheists deny the fact of sending messengers and heavenly books by the Lord of the worlds, their existence and survival remain a sufficient and powerful testimony to one fact, which is man's extreme desire to communicate with God and satiate the natural thirst within himself.