Al Quran is Ruh

Those unfamiliar with this concept might be surprised when we say that the Quran is Ruh. If you doubt this, recall that one of the signs of the end of times is that the Quran will be lifted to the heavens, leaving it only with a select few.

Think carefully—if it was not sent down, how could it be raised up? Only something previously revealed can be raised again. If you imagine that printed Qurans will suddenly become blank pages, erased by angels, you have seriously misunderstood.

When you open the Quran and find the pages blank, what about the Quran stored digitally in PCs or servers? Will the angels format them? What about inscriptions carved on mosque walls? Will angels scrape them off? This understanding needs realignment.

This event is one of the signs of the end times—that the Quran will have been lifted even though it's physically present in every house, remaining only with a select few. Its disappearance indicates ignorance about the fact that the Quran itself is the Ruh of Allah.

The news that the Quran is a Ruh revealed by Allah is not our claim, but clearly stated by Allah Himself in this verse. Let’s explore together:

Asy Syura 42:52

Arabic:

وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ رُوحًۭا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا ۚ مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِى مَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ وَلَا ٱلْإِيمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِن جَعَلْنَـٰهُ نُورًۭا نَّهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن نَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ

Saheeh International:

And thus, We have revealed to you an inspiration of Our command [i.e., the Qur’ān]. You did not know what is the Book or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, [O Muḥammad], you guide to a straight path –

Abdullah Muhammad Basmeih:

Thus, We have revealed to you (Muhammad) the Quran as a Ruh (which enlivens hearts with Our command); you never knew (before revelation) what the Book (Quran) was nor what faith was, but We made the Quran a guiding light with which We guide whomever We will from among Our servants. Indeed, you (Muhammad) guide to the straight path through the Quran.

The following is a breakdown of Asy Syura 42:52 along with its meanings for better understanding:

Explanation of Asy Syura 42:52

• وَكَذٰلِكَ اَوْحَيْنَاۤ اِلَيْكَ رُوْحًا مِّنْ اَمْرِنَا
  Thus, We have revealed to you the Ruh from Our command.

• مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِى مَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ وَلَا ٱلْإِيمَـٰنُ
  You did not know what the Book nor what faith was.

• وَلٰـكِنْ جَعَلْنٰهُ نُوْرًا نَّهْدِيْ بِهٖ
  But We made it a guiding light through which We grant guidance (the Book).

• مَنْ نَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَا دِنَا
  To whomever We will from among Our servants.

• وَاِ نَّكَ لَتَهْدِيْۤ اِلٰى صِرَا طٍ مُّسْتَقِيْمٍ
  Indeed, you (those chosen) guide to a straight path.

Two Important Questions

Question 1:

If the Book or any verse of it is Ruh, could the angel Jibril carry Allah’s Ruh to deliver it to the prophets? Can the Ruh of Allah travel through any part of the universe, be it heaven or earth? So, how does Jibril deliver the revelation?

The answer is no, because Allah Himself has stated in the last four verses of Surah Al-Hashr (verses 21-24) that even mountains—the strongest structures on Earth—cannot bear the Quran. If placed upon them, they would crumble. So, how can Jibril carry the Ruh of Allah and move on earth to meet prophets and messengers?

Question 2:

If the Book is Allah's Ruh, what about the printed Qurans in our possession—do they contain the Ruh of Allah? The answer is no. Ruh is not created, whereas books are created.

When we read the Quran, do we acquire Allah’s Ruh? Certainly, we receive rewards for the act of reciting the Quran. However, acquiring the Quranic Ruh to accompany us in the Barzakh realm is not that simple.

The Ruh is pure, and something pure can only dwell in a purified place. Purifying oneself requires devotion and sacrifice. Surah Al-Isra (verses 77-87) provides a methodology for preparing oneself as a vessel to receive the Quranic Ruh.

Read these verses again—it demands sacrifice. Your understanding may differ each time.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the purpose of the Ruh or the Quran is to grant us illumination (nur) and guidance (hidayah). We always ask Allah for guidance, but how close are we to this Ruh? Don’t forget to read about the three ways Allah communicates with His servants, the content of this communication being the Quran itself—which is Ruh. Why, then, aren't we preparing ourselves to welcome this Ruh?

When the Ruh descends, it manifests as ladunni (divinely inspired knowledge). Every spoken word is truth (haq) because truth belongs solely to Allah and the Quran. This is where haqqul yaqqin (absolute certainty) truly originates—not from mere terminologies but from the "ocean" of divine knowledge. This knowledge comes directly from Allah, and that is why the Prophet Muhammad was indeed a walking Quran.