What Does Ruh Mean in Arabic?
الرُّوح
rūḥ
Root: ر و ح
Ruh is the soul or spirit — the divine breath Allah breathed into the human being at creation. When asked about the ruh, the Quran responds: "Say: The ruh is of the command of my Lord, and of knowledge you have been given only a little" (17:85). Its nature remains one of the divine mysteries. At death the soul departs and continues existence in the barzakh.
The root of Ruh (rūḥ) appears 21 times in the Quran, reflecting its foundational importance in Islamic theology and practice.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ruh
What does Ruh mean in Islam?
Ruh is the soul or spirit — the divine breath Allah breathed into the human being at creation. When asked about the ruh, the Quran responds: "Say: The ruh is of the command of my Lord, and of knowledge you have been given only a little" (17:85). Its nature remains one of the divine mysteries. At death the soul departs and continues existence in the barzakh.
How many times is Ruh mentioned in the Quran?
The root of the word Ruh appears 21 times in the Quran, underscoring its central importance in Islamic theology and practice.
What is the Arabic root of Ruh?
The Arabic root letters of Ruh are ر و ح.