Comprehensive Definition of RUḤ (روح)
RUḤ (روح), which translates to “spirit,” “soul,” or “life,” encompasses a rich and diverse meaning within the Islamic tradition. It is derived from the Hebrew רוּחַ (ruakh) and parallels ideas in other spiritual traditions, signifying the breath of life that animates beings.
Etymology and Background
In Arabic, RUḤ (روح) denotes a subtle, vaporous substance that is vital for sensation and voluntary motion. Islamic scholars like Ibnu ʾl-As̤īr describe it as the “nervous fluid” or “animal spirit.” Ancient texts like the Kitābu ʾt-Taʿrifāt illuminate its role as a “subtle body,” originating from the heart and permeating the entire body through veins and arteries.
Scriptural and Philosophical Context
In the Qur’an, RUḤ (روح) is employed in various contexts:
- Jesus (Ruḥu ʾllāh): Symbolizing the divine spirit.
- Gabriel: The angelic messenger embodied as RUḤ.
- Spirit of prophecy.
Genesis 9:4 and classical literature suggest that RUḤ is equated with life residing in the blood, resonating with beliefs held by the ancients.
Types of RUḤ
The Kitābu ʾt-Taʿrīfāt identifies three primary types of spirit:
- Ar-Rūḥu ʾl-Insānī: The human spirit or intellect.
- Ar-Rūḥu ʾl-Ḥaiwānī: The animal spirit sustaining life.
- Ar-Rūḥu ʾl-Aʿz̤am: The exalted spirit intertwined with God’s essence.
Additionally, RUḤ is further categorized into subtypes like Ar-Rūḥu ʾn-Nabātī (vegetable spirit) and Ar-Rūḥu ʾl-Ilāhī (divine spirit), elucidating its varied manifestations.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Culturally, RUḤ in Islamic discourse shares similarities with nefesh in Hebrew tradition and pneuma in Greek, emphasizing life breath and spirit.
Synonyms and Antonyms
- Synonyms:
- روح الله (Ruḥullah) - “Spirit of God”
- نفس (Nafs) - “Self, Soul”
- Antonyms:
- جسم (Jism) - “Body”
- مادة (Madda) - “Matter”
Related Terms
- Al-ʿAql (عقل) - “Intellect” or “Reason”.
- An-Nafsu ʾl-Wāḥidah (النفس الواحدة) - “The Single Essence”.
Exciting Facts
- Linguistic Diversity: RUḤ tends to be feminine in Urdu/Hindustani and both masculine and feminine in Arabic.
- Mystical Interpretations: Sufi mystics explore RUḤ as the divine essence residing within humans.
Quotations from Notable Writers
“The spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” — Proverbs 20:27 (Bible)
“Surely We created man and We know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than his jugular vein.” — Qur’an 50:16
References
- Kitābu ʾt-Taʿrifāt
- Qur’an and Tafsir
- Genesis 9:4 and related Biblical texts
- Lane’s Arabic Dictionary
- Virgil’s Aeneid
Suggested Literature and Further Studies
- “The Secret of Secrets: Sufism as a Path to Spiritual Evolution” by Shaykh Ali Ibn Reẖbāni
- “The Breath of Life: Medieval Arabic Theories of Pneuma” by Nabil Al-Alili
- “Halting Time: Exploring the Infinite Realms of Islamic Mysticism” by Fatima Suherai
Farewell Thought: “In the spirit’s search for truth, we bind ourselves to both the earthly and the divine, finding completion in understanding the multitude of dimensions that give life meaning.”
Ibrahim Al-Hassan, October 2023
