The Spirit mentioned in the Qur’an refers to different persons. The Holy Spirit mentioned in the Qur’an refers to the Angel Jibreel sent by Allah to assist His chosen servants in their divinely ordained missions. The Christian concept of the Spirit is quite different from Islam. Many of them consider the Holy Spirit as Divine and a member of the Trinity. Some of them worship the Holy Sprit as God. This is not acceptable in Islam.
Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, former president of the Islamic Society of North America, states: The Qur’an uses the word ruh about twenty-one times. It primarily means “spirit” which is a creation of Allah and its true nature is known to Him alone. Allah says, [They ask you concerning the spirit. Say, it is from the command of my Lord. And from the knowledge you are given only a little.) (Al-Israa’ 17: 85) Since the angels are spiritual beings, they are also called ruh. The angel Jibreel (Gabriel) – who is the Angel of revelation and used to bring revelation to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them both) is called in the Qur’an, Ar-Ruh (The Spirit, see Surat Maryam 19: 17), Ruh Al-Qudus (The Spirit of Sacredness or the Sacred Spirit, see Surat Al-Baqarah 2: 87; 253, Surat Al-Ma’idah 5: 110; Surat An-Nahl 16: 102) and Ar-Ruh Al-Amin (the Trustworthy Spirit, see Surat Ash-Shu`araa’ 26: 193).
Jesus’ birth took place in a miraculous way. His mother Maryam (may peace be upon her) was a virgin. Allah sent the Angel Gabriel to her who gave her the good news that she will bear a child by the Command of Allah in a miraculous way. Then she conceived Jesus. This conception took place after the announcement of the Spirit – Gabriel –(peace and blessings be upon him). It is for this reason that Jesus is also called in the Qur’an < i>Ruhun minhu (a Spirit from Him, see Surat An-Nisaa’ 4: 171). The Qur’an also came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) through the Angel Gabriel (peace and blessings be upon him). Thus the Qur’an is also called Ruhan min amrina (Ash-Shura 42: 52). In Surat Al-Qadr Almighty Allah mentioned the angels in general and then specifically spoke about Angel Gabriel in order to emphasize his position and importance. Since the night of Qadr is the night of the revelation of the Qur’an, Allah especially honors this night by sending His angels, and especially the Angel Gabriel, Ar-Ruh.
The Christian concept of the Spirit is quite different from Islam. Many of them believe in the Holy Spirit, but they consider the Holy Spirit as Divine and a member of the Trinity. Some of them worship the Holy Sprit as God. This is not acceptable in Islam. We respect the angels and especially the Angel Gabriel (peace and blessings be upon all of them) but we do not consider them divine or sons or daughters of God, as Christians and ancient Arabs (before accepting Islam) used to believe. According to Islam, the angels are Allah’s servants and they follow His Command. (Al-Anbiyaa’ 21: 26-29)