What is the holy spirit in Islam?

Answer 1

Quran 17:85 is the first answer to this question, here is the literal translation.

And they ask/question you about the Soul/Spirit , say: "The Soul/Spirit (is) from my Lord's matter/affair, and you were not given from the knowledge except little .":

To understand the holy spirit according to Islam is two fold. One of the quran, and the other of the sayings of the prophet. Since hadiths aren't always readily available in their Arabic, nor does the ordinary person have access to the authentication of hadiths, I myself can only refer to the quran for now. Though hadiths might clear things up if they're authentic.

In Arabic, the holy spirit is: بروح القدس that is bi-roohi al-qudusi (with-spirit the-holy) when referring to Jesus in quran 2:87, 2:253, 5:110, 58:22. And the reference in these verses is that the holy spirit gave stregnth to Jesus.

Quran 17:85 is the first place we look at regarding spirit, here is the literal translation.

And they ask/question you about the Soul/Spirit, say: "The Soul/Spirit (is) from my Lord's matter/affair, and you were not given from the knowledge except little .":

Since we can use the Arabic root system to understand what a spirit is by look at the other meanings of the root Ra-Waw-Ha. 56 times this root is used.

http://www.openburhan.net/ob.php?root=%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AD%0D

The following meanings are used with the root Ra-Waw-Ha

Raha - To go or do a thing at evening. Violently windy; good or pleasant wind. Become cool or pleasant [by means of the wind]. Become brisk, lively sprightly, active, agile, or quick [as though one felt the wind and was refreshed by it].

Rawahun - he went, journeyed, worked, or did a thing in the evening [or any time of the night or day], or in the afternoon (declining of the sun from its meridian until night).

Ruhun - Soul, spirit, vital principle, breath which a man breathes and pervades his whole body. Inspiration or divine revelation [since it is like the vital principle is to the body and quickens man].

turiihuuna (impf. 2nd. m. pl. vb. 4) - you bring home in the evening.

rawaahun (v. n.) - blowing in the afternoon, evening journey.

rauhun (n.) - soothing mercy, happiness, comport, bounty, gift.

ruuhun (n.) - revelation, spirit, soul, human soul, Gabriel, angel of revelation.

raihaan (n. pl.) - fragrant flowery plants.

riihun (n.) - punishment.

riyaah (n. pl.) - divine blessings.

raha vb. (1)

n.vb. (1) 34:12

n.vb. (2) 12:87, 12:87, 56:89

rih n.m. (pl. riyaah) 2:164, 3:117, 7:57, 8:46, 10:22, 10:22, 12:94, 14:18, 15:22, 17:69, 18:45, 21:81, 22:31, 25:48, 27:63, 30:46, 30:48, 30:51, 33:9, 34:12, 35:9, 38:36, 41:16, 42:33, 45:5, 46:24, 51:41, 54:19, 69:6

rayhaan n.m. 55:12, 56:89

ruuh n.m. 2:87, 2:253, 4:171, 5:110, 15:29, 16:2, 16:102, 17:85, 17:85, 19:17, 21:91, 26:193, 32:9, 38:72, 40:15, 42:52, 58:22, 66:12, 70:4, 78:38, 97:4

araaha vb. (4) impf. act. 16:6

What the root suggests is a spirit is like a wind. Where we understand that the wind has no free will, but is pushed about by gravity. Winds come in many shapes, sizes, strengths, lengths etc.

We should also look at the meaning of al quds and it's root:

Qaf-Dal-Siin = to be pure, holy, spotless. qudusun - purity, sanctity, holiness. al quddus - the holy one, one above and opposite to all evil, replete with positive good. muqaddas - sacred. An earthen or wooden pot.

quddus n.m. 59:23, 62:1

qudus n.m. 2:87, 2:253, 5:110, 16:102

qaddasa vb. (2)

impf. act. 2:30

pcple. pass. f. 5:21, 20:12, 79:16

That's clear enough.

But according to the root of Ra-Waw-Ha, Adam and others of mankind were given a spirit. Quran 15:28-29, 32:8-9, 38:71-72, 66:12

Of course the holy spirit was given revelation from the god in quran 16:102

So there are many types of spirits and all come from the god, and have no freewill of their own. But the holy spirit is the highest type of spirit, a special type. Quran 19:17 tells us that the spirit sent (and it does use the Ra-Waw-Ha there) was sent to Mary and appeared to her as a man. According to one hadith I know, the angel gabriel came to the prophet Muhammad as a man in front of his companions and asked the prophet few questions. When he left, the companions asked who the person was who had no signs of travel, the prophet told them that it was Gabriel.