What does this Quran ayat refer to?

DanyalSAC

Junior Member
Asalaamu alaikum -

This is from Surah 17, Al-Isra' verse 85:

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّي وَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّن الْعِلْمِ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً

"And they ask you (O Muhammad SAW) concerning the Rûh (the Spirit); Say: "The Rûh (the Spirit): is one of the things, the knowledge of which is only with my Lord. And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little."

The word I am referring to is "Rûh (the Spirit)". I have heard some say that it refers to Jibril, and others say it refers to what the Christians call the Holy Spirit; and other interpretations say "The Spirit of Inspiration" (??) which has me totally confused.

Thanks in advance!
JazakAllah Khairn
D.
 

Al-Kashmiri

Well-Known Member
Staff member
As-salaamu `alaykum

Ruh means soul or spirit in Arabic. Ruh al-Qudus which means 'The Holy Spirit' is in reference to Jibreel, `alayhi as-salaam.

Was-salaam
 

DanyalSAC

Junior Member
As-salaamu `alaykum

Ruh means soul or spirit in Arabic. Ruh al-Qudus which means 'The Holy Spirit' is in reference to Jibreel, `alayhi as-salaam.

Was-salaam


So in this context - re: this ayat - does this refer to the soul or spirit in every one of us?
 

miq1

Junior Member
Praise be to Allah (The Glorified and Exalted).

This verse was revealed when three israelis were standing in a field and when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) passed by them, they asked about the "soul."

The arabic word "Ruh" is translated as "Spirit" or "soul."

The "Ruh" in this verse is referring to the soul. The people wanted to know more about the nature of the human soul. Allah (The Exalted) answered them by stating that only a little knowledge has been granted to mankind concerning the soul.

In other verses of the Qur'an, the phrase "Ruh al-Qudus" means the Holy Spirit and is referring to the Angel Jabriel (Gabriel) (peace be upon him). The same angel is also called "Ruh," meaning "Spirit" for short. One understands the difference between "Ruh" used for the word "soul" and "Spirit" referring to the angel by the context of the verses.

“Say, the Holy Spirit [Rooh al-Qudus] has brought the revelation [Qur’an] from thy Lord in Truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims.” [16:102]

“Verily this [Qur’an] is a Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds: Which the trustworthy Spirit [Rooh] has brought down” [26:192-93]​


And Allah (The Glorified and Exalted) Knows Best.
 

Al-Kashmiri

Well-Known Member
Staff member
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