reply to Ifrahim, Holy Spirit in Islam part 2

Submitted by Keith Williams (United States), Jan 24, 2009 at 11:29

Hi,

Thanks for sharing the word of God with me.

But Ifrahim, you said that Islam didn't have Holy Spirit and so I had to show you from Qur'an to show that the Holy Spirit is indeed a concept in Islam. I was wrong though and was not my intent to say that Islam's interpretation of the scriptures surrounding the Holy Spirit is the only truth and Christianity was false. But, I think I have shown that your statement was false that there was no concept of Holy Spirit in Islam and that was the point I was trying to make. I apologize for drifting in making it look like the view of the Holy Spirit by the majority of Islamic scholars was the only one that was true and Christian view of Holy Spirit was false. That was not my objective but I wanted to have to show the similarities and differences of the two but that was not needed for my argument. We have to let God decide on our differences and I am glad that we can truthfully discuss them in a kind and honest way.

If you read my comments and the quotes from the Qur'an you will see that they agree with most of your own comments that Jesus was born by the Holy Spirit. It is not just be. And there was a message given the mother of Jesus. And we saw in the Qur'an that the Holy Spirit is also the power of God, therefore; your statement that, "No concept of Holy Spirit in Islam", is false.

In Qur'an it says: "And (remember) her who guarded her chastity: We breathed into her of Our spirit, and We made her and her son a sign for all peoples". (Qur'an 21:91)
Waallatee ahsanat farjaha fanafakhna feeha min roohina wajaAAalnaha waibnaha ayatan lilAAalameena (Qur'an 21:91)

Here also: "And Mary the daughter of 'Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout (servants)." (Qur'an 66:12)
Wamaryama ibnata AAimrana allatee ahsanat farjaha fanafakhna feehi min roohina wasaddaqat bikalimati rabbiha wakutubihi wakanat mina alqaniteena (Qur'an 66:12)

Jesus (S) was described as a Spirit proceeding from Allah (Ruhun minhu): "…Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah and His word (BE), which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him (Roohun minhu)…(Q.4:171)
Ya ahla alkitabi la taghloo fee deenikum wala taqooloo AAala Allahi illa alhaqqa innama almaseehu AAeesa ibnu maryama rasoolu Allahi wakalimatuhu alqaha ila maryama waroohun minhu…(Q.4:171)

In this verse Gabriel (S) was addressed as Rooh: She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects. (Qur'an 19:17)
Faittakhathat min doonihim hijaban faarsalna ilayha roohana fatamaththala laha basharan sawiyyan (Qur'an 19:17)

Nevertheless, it is very clear that Allah (S) has breathed ‘his Spirit' (min-Rooh) into Mary (S) by way of Gabriel (S). Allah (S) did no breath Gabriel (S) into her. Same thing happen at the creation of man: "But He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him something of His spirit, And He gave you (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding): little thanks do ye give!" (Qur'an 32:9)
Thumma sawwahu wanafakha feehi min roohihi wajaAAala lakumu alssamAAa waalabsara waalafidata qaleelan ma tashkuroona (Qur'an 32:9)

Then will Allah say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Recount My favour to thee and to thy mother. Behold! I strengthened thee with the holy spirit… (Qur'an 5:110)
Ith qala Allahu ya AAeesa ibna maryama othkur niAAmatee AAalayka waAAala walidatika ith ayyadtuka biroohi alqudusi(Qur'an 5:110)

We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of apostles; We gave Jesus the son of Mary Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the holy spirit… (Qur'an 2:87)
Walaqad atayna moosa alkitaba waqaffayna min baAAdihi bialrrusuli waatayna AAeesa ibna maryama albayyinati waayyadnahu biroohi alqudusi (Qur'an 2:87)

Allah (S) also strengthen the Believers (Muslims) with his spirit (min rooh): "Thou wilt not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their fathers or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred. For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a spirit from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, to dwell therein (for ever). Allah will be well pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah (Hezbullah). Truly it is the Party of Allah that will achieve Success." (Qur'an 58:22)
La tajidu qawman yuminoona biAllahi waalyawmi alakhiri yuwaddoona man hadda Allaha warasoolahu walaw kanoo abaahum aw abnaahum aw ikhwanahum aw AAasheeratahum olaika kataba fee quloobihimu aleemana waayyadahum biroohin minhuwayudkhiluhum jannatin tajree min tahtiha alanharu khalideena feeha radiya Allahu AAanhum waradoo AAanhu olaika hizbu Allahi ala inna hizba Allahi humu almuflihoona (Qur'an 58:22)

And Allah (S) said he: "Raised high above ranks (or degrees), (He is) the Lord of the Throne (of Authority): by His Command doth He send the spirit(of inspiration) to any of His servants he pleases, that it may warn (men) of the Day of Mutual Meeting," (Qur'an 40:15)
RafeeAAu alddarajati thoo alAAarshi yulqee alrrooha min amrihi AAala man yashao min AAibadihi liyunthira yawma alttalaqi (Qur'an 40:15)

But he Allah (S) also said when: "They ask thee concerning the spirit (of inspiration). Say: ‘The spirit (cometh) by command of my Lord: of knowledge it is only a little that is communicated to you, (O men!)'" (Qur'an 17:85)
Wayasaloonaka AAani alrroohi quli alrroohu min amri rabbee wama ooteetum mina alAAilmi illa qaleelan (Qur'an 17:85)

I am glad that we can debate on the scriptures and our interpretation of them in a kind, respectful and honest way. Again, we see that the Holy Spirit is in Islam but the interpretation and concept of the majority of Islamic scholars differs from the Holy Spirit concept and interpretation of the majority of Christian scholars. The scriptures and word of God from both Holy books are saying the same thing about the Holy Spirit.

peace

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