Holy spirit exist both in
Bible and
Quran. Comparison between religious texts existing in
Judaism,
Christianity, and
Islam will be made below to provide a broader understanding of how holy spirit is presented in the three religions.
"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!)" (Quran, 17:85)
Holy Spirit in Islam has two functions
First, it creates our spirits.
Allah breathes his spirit in people.
"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!" (Quran, 32:9)
"When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My Spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him." (Quran, 38:72)
"When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My Spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him." (Quran, 15:29)"
"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." (Quran, 21:91)
"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 th devout (servants). (Quran, 66:12)
Second, it is used to give divine guidance to people.
"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,-" (Quran, 40:15)
"Say, the Holy Spirit has brought the Revelation from thy Lord in Truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims." (Quran, 16:102)
"Thou wilt not find any people who believe in God and the Last Day, loving those who resist God and His Apostle, 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). God will be well pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the Party of God. Truly it is the Party of God that will achieve Felicity. (The Noble Quran, 58:22)"
"Then will God say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Recount My favour to thee and to thy mother. Behold!
I strengthened thee with the Holy Spirit, so that thou didst speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel and behold! thou makest out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and thou breathest into it and it becometh a bird by My leave, and thou healest those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! thou bringest forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to) thee when thou didst show them the clear Signs, and the unbelievers among them said: 'This is nothing but evident magic.'" (Quran, 5:110)
Holy spirit function in the Bible.
Below Biblical verses are similar to the ones presented in Quran.
"When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth." (
Psalm 104:30)
"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" (Psalm 139:7)
"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." (Psalm 143:10)
Psalm 104:30 agrees with Quran 32:9, 38:72, 15:29, 21:91, 66:12. Moreover, Psalm 143:10 agrees with Quran 40:15, 16:102, 58:22, 5:110.
Holy Spirit is a creation of God, it is not God, or part of God, it is beneath God and is commanded by God according to Islam.
"The Day that the Spirit and the Angels will stand forth in ranks, none shall speak except any who is permitted by (God) Most Gracious, and He will say what is right." (Quran, 78:38)
"A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- (A Penalty) from God, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. The
Angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). " (Quran, 70:1-5)
"Therein come down the Angels and the Spirit by God's permission, on every
errand: (Quran, 97:4)"