A Comparative Study of the Nature and Function of the Holy Spirit in Islam and Christianity with Emphasis on Imami Shiite and Catholic Perspectives

This article seeks to critically examine the nature and function of the Holy Spirit in Islam and Christianity through a descriptive-analytical comparative approach, with a focus on Imami Shiite and Catholic perspectives. In the Quran, the Holy Spirit is identified as Gabriel (a), tasked with responsibilities such as conveying revelation to the Prophet (s), enabling the pregnancy of Mary (a), supporting Jesus (a), and facilitating his speech in the cradle. However, in Imami Shiite hadiths, a broader interpretation emerges, encompassing both Gabriel and a divine spirit connected to prophets, successors, and the infallible Imams (a). In the Christian tradition, the Holy Spirit is an eternal, immaterial entity, one of the three persons of the Trinity, united with God the Father and the Son, and entrusted with numerous roles, including baptism, uniting the Christian community, guiding and teaching the Church, accompanying and guiding believers, renewing Christian life, granting salvation, exorcising demons, and healing the sick through Jesus (a). A comparative analysis of Islam and Christianity reveals similarities and differences in the nature and function of the Holy Spirit: unlike Christianity, which considers the Holy Spirit an eternal entity united with the divine essence, in Islam, the Holy Spirit refers to Gabriel or a divine spirit that is a created being. Performing extraordinary acts, such as Mary’s pregnancy, and possessing a sacred, distinct character are among the similarities of the Holy Spirit in Islam and Christianity.

کلیدواژه ها:

Holy Spirit ، Holy Spirit in the Quran ، Holy Spirit in Christianity ، Bible ، comparative study