Message #19096

[Zainab_M]

I absolutely agree with you Sister Ruhi.   While Allah knows best, it is certainly possible that Verse 17:85 is referring to the human soul.   

It's because in various other Verses the term "spirit" is referred to angel Gibrael,  I think that's the reason many people assume the reference is to angel Gibrael.    But I think it depends on the Verse.   When the reference is to angel Gibrael in a particular Verse, the term "spirit" is mentioned as a double-syllable word e.g. "Holy Spirit" (Ruh Qudus) as in Verses 2:87 and 2:253, or "Trustworthy Spirit" (Ruh-ul-Amin) as in Verse 26:192-195. 

"The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Rab, with all decrees." Surah 97 AQadr.   In this Verse "angels and the Spirit" refers to Angel Gibrael as can clearly be understood.

Then again, for example, in the following Verses the term "Spirit" alludes to the soul or perhaps we can say The Almighty commanding the soul placed in the human body. 

"So, when I have made him and have breathed into him of My Spirit, do you fall down, .." V.15:29-30.

"And Maryam, daughter of 'Imran, whose body was chaste, therefor We breathed therein something of Our Spirit."  V.66:12.

"The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him."   V.4:171.


Thus, the interpretation of the word "spirit" does largely depend on the contents of every Verse we read .. and the allusion in Verse 17:85 could be the human soul.  But only Allah has the final answer.