RUḤ (روح) in Islamic Thought

RUḤ Spirit Soul Islamic Theology
Explore the concept of RUḤ (روح), its meanings, implications, and usage in Islamic thought. Understand how it integrates with the notions of soul, spirit, and life within Islamic theology and philosophy.
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RUḤ (روح)

Definition and Etymology

RUḤ (روح‎), plural arwāḥ (أرواح‎), is an Arabic term meaning “spirit” or “soul.” The Hebrew equivalent is רוּחַ (ruakh), which also means “spirit; soul; life.” The concept of RUḤ is foundational in Islamic theology, signifying the essence of life and consciousness.

Theological and Philosophical Perspectives

Ibn al-Athir, the author of Nihāyah, describes RUḤ as a nervous fluid or animal spirit—a vaporous substance that serves as the principle of vitality, sensation, and voluntary motion.

In Kitābu ʾt-Taʿrifāt, RUḤ is defined as a subtle body originating in the hollow of the corporeal heart, diffusing throughout the body via pulsing veins and arteries.

Historical Context and Comparative Views

Throughout history, many ancient traditions, including Islamic, equated the soul with blood. For instance, Genesis 9:4 mentions, “Flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof.” Similarly, in Virgil’s Aeneid (ix. 349), the soul is considered to reside in the blood.

RUḤ in Islamic Texts and Terminology

In the Qur’an, RUḤ takes on multiple symbolic forms, including:

  • Jesus (known as Rūḥu ʾllāh, “the Spirit of God”),
  • Gabriel (the angel),
  • Representations of life, grace, soul, and prophetic spirit.

Types of Spirits in Islamic Theology

According to Kitābu ʾt-Taʿrīfāt, RUḤ can be categorized into three types:

  1. Ar-Rūḥu ʾl-Insānī (الروح الانسانى) - “the human spirit”:

    • Signifies the human mind which separates humans from animals.
    • Considered heavenly in origin and knowledge of its true essence is limited.

  2. Ar-Rūḥu ʾl-Ḥaiwānī (الروح الحيوانى) - “the animal spirit”:

    • Represents life whose seat is in the heart and circulates with the pulsations of the blood.

  3. Ar-Rūḥu ʾl-Aʿz̤am (الروح الاعظم) - “the exalted spirit”:

    • Human spirit connected to God’s existence, with its essence known only to the Almighty.

Additional terminology used in Islamic works includes:

  • Ar-Rūḥu ʾn-Nabātī (الروح النباتى) - “the vegetable spirit”
  • Ar-Rūḥu ʾt̤-T̤abiʿī (الروح الطبعى) - “the natural spirit”
  • Ar-Rūḥu ʾl-Ilāhī (الروح اللهى) - “the divine spirit”
  • Ar-Rūḥu ʾs-Suflī (الروح السفلى) - “the lower spirit”
  • Ar-Rūḥu ʾl-ʿUlwī (الروح العلوى) - “the lofty or heavenly spirit”
  • Ar-Rūḥu ʾl-Jārī (الروح الجارى) - “the traveling spirit”
  • Ar-Rūḥu ʾl-Muḥkam (الروح المحكم) - “the resident spirit”
  • Rūḥu ʾl-Ilqāʾ (روح الالقاء) - “the spirit of casting into”

For those interested in further exploring the concept of RUḤ, the following works are notable:

  • “The Soul and God” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
  • “Islamic Philosophy and Theology” by M. Saeed Sheikh
  • “The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr et al.
  • “In the Footsteps of the Prophet: Lessons from the Life of Muhammad” by Tariq Ramadan

Takeaways

  1. RUḤ plays a pivotal role in understanding the Islamic view of the human soul and spirit.
  2. It encompasses diverse meanings, from the spirit of life itself to specific theological notions like the spirit of prophecy.
  3. Islamic terminology for RUḤ is extensive, underlining the depth and complexity of spiritual discussions in Islamic scholarship.

Conclusion

RUḤ in Islamic theology and philosophy represents a profound and multifaceted concept intrinsic to understanding life, consciousness, and spiritual existence. Through its varied interpretations and typologies, the concept of RUḤ offers rich insights into the nuances of Islamic thought and the perennial quest to comprehend the human spirit.

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Ramla bint Abi Sufyan

Dictionary of Islam

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