Is Angel Gabriel Considered the Holy Spirit in Religious Texts?

Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit, or Ruh al Quddus in Arabic, is the title given to Angel Gabriel, also known as Jibriil (alaihi Salaam). He is frequently mentioned in the Noble Quran by this name. In Islamic tradition, the Holy Spirit plays a role in assisting, guiding, and protecting the Noble Prophets of God. Numerous verses in the Noble Quran and the traditions of our Holy Prophets indicate that:

He descended upon the Holy Prophets of God to guide and strengthen them.

He revealed the Noble Scriptures to some of them.

He appeared to our Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) at the cave of Hira and at many other places to reveal the Noble Quran to him.

Holy Spirit is a distinctive name for Angel Gabriel.

Throughout history, many notable individuals have been given distinctive names. For example, William Shakespeare was known as the Bard of Avon, while Florence Nightingale was called the Lady with the Lamp. Democritus was known as the Laughing Philosopher, and Hippocrates was called the Father of Medicine. Some prophets of God also had special names. For instance, Abraham (May the peace and blessings be upon him) was called the Friend of God, and Jacob was called Israel.

These distinctive names often relate to a person's special traits or habits. For example, Florence Nightingale was called the Lady with the Lamp because she was often seen alone, carrying a small lamp, and providing personal care to the wounded during the Crimean War. Democritus was known as the Laughing Philosopher due to his tendency to mock his fellow citizens for their follies. Satan is called the Evil Spirit because of his wickedness, disobedience, hatred, and enmity, among other things. Similarly, Gabriel is called the Holy Spirit because he is tasked with holy spiritual missions, such as delivering revelations and supporting and guiding the Holy Prophets of God.

Angel Gabriel Protected Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)

It is reported that during the invasion of Dhi Amr, Ghwarath ibn al Harith attempted to attack Muhammad (May the peace and blessings be upon him). He threatened Muhammad with his sword, saying, "Who will protect you from me today?" The Angel Gabriel intervened, striking Ghwarath in the chest and causing him to drop his sword. Muhammad picked up the sword and asked, "Who will protect you from me?" Ghwarath replied, "No one," and he then testified the Shahadah, thus embracing Islam.

The Holy Spirit supported Jesus.

Jesus (May the peace and blessings be upon him), the son of Mary, was sent to the Children of Israel, a nation known for its hostility towards the Holy Prophets of God. Like the prophets before him, he was denied and openly criticized. His people were so hostile that one needed a strong heart to face them daily. To ease his burden, Allah, Exalted Almighty be He, supported Jesus with the Holy Spirit.

And We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, clear proofs and supported Him with the Holy Spirit. Q:2:87

On one occasion, the Jews plotted to kill Jesus, the son of Mary. His heart became sorrowful and weak, so he decided to pray. As he was praying, an angel descended from the sky and supported him...

And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, knelt down, and prayed, saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done." And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:40

The Holy Quran refers to the supporter as the Holy Spirit, while their book mentions the supporter as an angel. What sense does it make?

For example, Khalid, a doctor by profession, leaves for work. Outside his house, he meets his neighbor, who greets him, "Good morning, Mr. Khalid?" He replies, and the neighbor goes on his way.

Upon reaching the hospital, his colleagues greet him, "Good morning, Doctor," and he responds, "Good morning to you."

NOTE: The neighbor called him by his name, while his colleagues called him by his profession. In that respect, the Quran referred to the supporter by his title, i.e., Holy Spirit, while the Bible referred to the supporter by his appearance, i.e., Angel. This demonstrates that the Holy Spirit and the Angel are one and the same person.

Angel Gabriel visited Mary.

A Muslim is only true to his belief if he accepts Jesus (May the peace and blessings be upon him), the son of Mary, and all the other prophets who preceded him. Allah, Exalted be He, has commanded us to believe in all of them without making any distinction between them. They all came with one message: to worship one God without associating partners with Him. Many prophets came into the world, though only 25 are mentioned in the Holy Quran. Most were sent to the Children of Israel, who are the descendants of Ibrahim.

About two thousand years ago, Allah, Exalted Almighty be He, blessed the house of Imran with a female child named Mary. Imran's wife had pledged to God that whoever was in her womb would be consecrated for God's service. When she gave birth, she was saddened that the child was a girl. This was because, in Jewish tradition, there are few acts of devotion that could be performed by a female. Of 514 acts of devotion, only four are required of a Jewish woman. However, she entrusted her to the care of Prophet Zechariah.

Imran's wife did not know of God's plans and will. But Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, knew His plans perfectly well. When the time was right, He sent Gabriel to Mary. Angel Gabriel appeared to her as a well-proportioned man. Upon seeing him, she sought refuge from God to protect her from him. Angel Gabriel then introduced himself as a messenger of God and informed her that he had come to give her glad tidings of a Holy Son. The Noble Quran, chapter 19, verse 16, states:

This same incident about the birth of Jesus is mentioned in the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 1, verse 26.

There is no doubt that both the Quran and the Gospel according to Luke mention Gabriel as the angel who visited Mary. I agree, and Christians agree too; at least we have one thing in common.

Now, what does the Gospel according to Matthew say?

Now the birth of Jesus was like this: After his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18

The Gospel according to Matthew states that the visitor was the Holy Spirit. So, while the Quran and the Gospel according to Luke mention him by his name, i.e., Gabriel, the Gospel according to Matthew refers to him by his title, i.e., the Holy Spirit. This confirms beyond any reasonable doubt that Angel Gabriel is the Holy Spirit.