Do Muslims believe in the Holy Spirit?
Yes, but not in the Christian sense. The Quran mentions the "Holy Spirit" (Ruh al-Qudus), and Muslims believe it refers to the angel Gabriel (Jibril). He is a created, honoured angel who brought God's revelation to the prophets. He is not God or part of God.
The Holy Spirit in the Quran
The phrase Ruh al-Qudus, often translated "the Holy Spirit" or "the Pure Spirit," appears a few times in the Quran. The clearest verse links it to bringing down the Quran:
Elsewhere Gabriel is called "the Trustworthy Spirit" who brought the revelation down (Quran 26:193), and on the Night of Decree "the angels and the Spirit descend" (Quran 97:4).
Why Muslims say it's Gabriel
Classical scholars of Quran commentary widely identify the Spirit with Gabriel, because the Quran describes the same role for both: carrying revelation and supporting the prophets.
- With Jesus: God says He "supported him with the Pure Spirit" (Quran 2:87).
- With Mary: God "sent to her Our Angel," who appeared to her as a man to announce the birth of Jesus (Quran 19:17).
- With Muhammad ﷺ: Gabriel brought the Quran to him over 23 years.
Many Christians will recognise Gabriel from the annunciation to Mary in the Gospel of Luke, which is another point of common ground. See What does the Quran say about Mary?
Help from the Holy Spirit
The Prophet ﷺ even prayed for a believer to be supported by the Holy Spirit. He told the poet Hassan to answer those who insulted the Prophet, saying: "O Allah! Help him with the Holy Spirit" (Sahih al-Bukhari 453). So Muslims see the Holy Spirit as God's help and support carried by an angel, not as a separate divine person.
How this differs from Christianity
In most Christian churches, the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and fully God. Islam teaches that God is One, and angels, however great, are His servants. See Do Muslims and Christians believe in the same God?
Belief in angels is one of the six articles of faith, so honouring Gabriel is part of being Muslim. See Do I have to believe Jesus isn't God to become Muslim?
- The Quran mentions Ruh al-Qudus, the Holy Spirit.
- Muslims understand it as the angel Gabriel.
- Gabriel brought revelation and supported the prophets.
- In Islam, the Holy Spirit is not God or part of God.
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