Abjad : Journal of Humanities & Education
Vol. 3 No. 3 (2025): Abjad: Journal of Humanities & Education

The Concept of Rûh in Islam: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of Interpretation, Philosophy, and Theology

Ad-Diba'i, Muhammad Daffa Syafiq Nashr (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Dec 2025

Abstract

The concept of Rûh constitutes a central theme in Islamic anthropology that has sparked intensive debate among Quranic exegetes, Muslim philosophers, and theologians from the classical to contemporary era. The semantic diversity of Rûh in the Qur'an : as the animating force of the body, the angel Jibrîl, revelation, and divine assistance, poses complexity in formulating a comprehensive definition. This study aims to construct a comprehensive definition of Rûh through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates Quranic exegesis, Islamic philosophy, and theology by employing Islamic epistemology (bayânî, burhânî, ‘irfânî) as an analytical framework. The research method employed is qualitative with a library research design that applies content analysis, comparative analysis, hermeneutics, and interdisciplinary synthesis to primary sources (the Qur'an, classical-contemporary tafsîr, works of Muslim philosophers) and secondary sources (scholarly journals from the last 10 years). The research findings demonstrate that Rûh is an immaterial substance that is hadîth (created) originating from God's command (min amri Rabbî), functioning as the animating force of the body and source of life, connecting humans with the divine dimension, and possessing figurative eternal nature (not perishing with bodily death). Despite terminological variations, a fundamental consensus indicates that Rûh is an independent non-material substance, distinct from nafs (soul) in function and characteristics. Comprehensive understanding of Rûh has significant implications for 'aqîdah (belief in resurrection and afterlife) and adab (spiritual ethics through tazkiyah al-nafs, intellectual humility, and reverence for life).

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Journal Info

Abbrev

abjad

Publisher

Subject

Religion Arts Humanities Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

Abjad: Journal of Humanities & Education is a multidisciplinary journal that focuses on the fields of literature, philology, linguistics, visual arts, performing arts, history, film studies, media and communication studies, philosophy, and religion. The journal aims to provide a scholarly platform ...