Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit in Islam

Definition

The Holy Spirit, known in Arabic as Ruḥu ʾl-Quds (روح القدس‎), holds a notable position in Islamic theology. Unlike the Christian concept of the Holy Spirit as part of the Holy Trinity, in Islam, the Holy Spirit is generally understood as the angel Gabriel (Jibrīl in Arabic). Gabriel is considered a messenger and carrier of divine revelation.

Etymology

• Arabic term: روح القدس (Ruḥu ʾl-Quds)

  • Ruḥu (روح) - Spirit
  • ʾl-Quds (القدس) - The Holy or The Sacred

• Turkish translation: Kutsal Ruh

Mentions in the Qur’an

The Holy Spirit is mentioned three times in the Qur’an:

1. Surah An-Nahl (16:102)
   • “Say, The Holy Spirit brought it down from thy Lord in truth.”
2. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:81)
   • “We gave Moses the scripture and sent apostles after him in succession; We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear (signs) and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit.”
3. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:253)
   • “Of those apostles, We have exalted some above others; of them there are some to whom God spoke, and He raised some other degrees (of honor); to Jesus, the son of Mary, We gave clear (signs) and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit.”

Scholarly Interpretation

Islamic scholars like The Jalāl al-Dīn al-Mahallī and Jalāl al-Dīn al-Suyūṭī (authors of the Tafsir al-Jalalayn), and al-Baiḍāwī, along with other commentators, predominantly interpret the Holy Spirit as the angel Gabriel (Jibrīl). Gabriel is credited with various roles:

• Inspiring Agent of the Qur’an: Gabriel is seen as the messenger who brought the Qur’an down to Prophet Muhammad.
• Divine Support to Jesus: He is also recognized as the divine power who supported and sanctified Jesus (Isa).

Further Studies

For those who wish to delve deeper into the subject of the Holy Spirit in Islamic theology, the following resources are recommended:

• Books:
  • “Major Themes of the Qur’an” by Fazlur Rahman
  • “The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr et al.
  • “Commentary on the Holy Quran by Al-Baidawi” translated by Gibril Fouad Haddad

Takeaways

• The Holy Spirit in Islam, Ruḥu ʾl-Quds, primarily denotes the angel Gabriel.
• The Qur’an identifies the Holy Spirit as instrumental in revealing divine messages to Prophets.
• Islamic commentators have consistently aligned the role of the Holy Spirit with Gabriel’s function in aiding both Muhammad and Jesus.

Conclusion

Understanding the nuanced Islamic perspective on the Holy Spirit, distinguished primarily through the lens of angel Gabriel, unveils the depth of Islamic exegesis. This also aids in comprehending Muslim views on prophecy, revelation, and interfaith relations with Christians and Jews.

<p>Feel free to reference the Holy Spirit entry in your explorations of Islamic theology by using the tags and suggested readings for deeper understanding.</p>