God & Jesus

The holy Spirit in the Qur’an

The Qur’an speaks of the holy Spirit, Ruh al-Qudus, several times. Christians hear the name of the third person of the Trinity. Muslims understand the angel Gabriel. This topic looks at how the Qur’an uses the name.

1The question

What does the Qur’an mean by the holy Spirit?

2What Christians believe

Christians see the Holy Spirit as God himself, the third person of the Trinity, who spoke through the prophets and lives in believers. They see the Qur’an’s holy Spirit as a different idea, an angel, and not the Spirit of the Bible.

Christians point out that in the Bible the Spirit is never called an angel, and that Gabriel and the Holy Spirit are mentioned separately.

3What the texts say

“Holy spirit” in the Hebrew Bible

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Psalm 51:11 · KJVRead in context →
But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
Isaiah 63:10 · KJVRead in context →

Gabriel in the Bible

Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
Daniel 9:21 · KJVRead in context →
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
Luke 1:19 · KJVRead in context →

4What scholars say

The phrase “holy spirit” appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, in Psalm 51:11 and Isaiah 63:10–11, where it describes God’s presence and power with his people.

Thomas O’Shaughnessy (The Development of the Meaning of Spirit in the Koran, 1953) traced how the Qur’an uses “spirit”. Classical Muslim commentators, such as al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, identify Ruh al-Qudus with Gabriel.

Scholars agree that the Qur’an links the holy Spirit with the bringing of revelation, and that it does not present the Spirit as a divine person.

5The Islamic perspective

The Qur’an calls the one who brings revelation both Gabriel and the holy Spirit, and says Jesus too was supported by him:

Say (O Muhammad, to mankind): Who is an enemy to Gabriel! For he it is who hath revealed (this Scripture) to thy heart by Allah's leave, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, and a guidance and glad tidings to believers;
Qur’an 2:97 · PickthallRead in context →
Say: The holy Spirit hath delivered it from thy Lord with truth, that it may confirm (the faith of) those who believe, and as guidance and good tidings for those who have surrendered (to Allah).
Qur’an 16:102 · PickthallRead in context →
Which the True Spirit hath brought down Upon thy heart, that thou mayst be (one) of the warners,
Qur’an 26:193–194 · PickthallRead in context →
And verily We gave unto Moses the Scripture and We caused a train of messengers to follow after him, and We gave unto Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's sovereignty), and We supported him with the Holy spirit. Is it ever so, that, when there cometh unto you a messenger (from Allah) with that which ye yourselves desire not, ye grow arrogant, and some ye disbelieve and some ye slay?
Qur’an 2:87 · PickthallRead in context →

For Muslims the holy Spirit is God’s faithful messenger, the angel who brought the Torah, the Gospel and the Qur’an. In the Bible too, Gabriel stands in the presence of God and is sent with his messages (Luke 1:19; Daniel 9:21).

6Objections and responses

“The Qur’an misunderstands the Christian Holy Spirit.”

Response: The Qur’an is not describing the Christian doctrine; it uses the name in its own sense. That sense fits the Hebrew Bible, where God’s holy spirit is his presence and power, and where his messages come through angels like Gabriel.

“Gabriel is a created angel, so he cannot be the holy Spirit.”

Response: Muslims agree Gabriel is created; that is the point. In the Qur’an the Spirit is created and serves God’s command (17:85). Only God is uncreated.

7Conclusion

Both sides agree that the Qur’an connects the holy Spirit with revelation and with supporting Jesus. Christians see the Holy Spirit of the Bible as God himself. Muslims see Ruh al-Qudus as the angel Gabriel, God’s messenger to the prophets.

Read Qur’an 2:97, 16:102 and 26:192–195, then Luke 1:19.

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