The meaning, then, is that Jesus was created by the Spirit—that is, Gabriel, rūḥ al-qudus (the Holy Spirit). He was called “Spirit” just as he was called “Word,” because he came into being through the Word. The Christians declare in their creed: “He became incarnate of Mary and of the Holy Spirit,” for this wording is found in the earlier scriptures. Yet they imagined that the Holy Spirit is a divine attribute and equated it with God’s life and power, thereby turning it into a deity. This is their mistake, for none of the prophets ever referred to God’s life, His power, or any of His attributes as “the Holy Spirit.”

Rather, in several passages of the prophets’ speech—peace be upon them—the term “Holy Spirit” refers to what God sends down into the prophets’ hearts, such as revelation, guidance, and support; it can also mean the angel himself.

Likewise, in the exegesis of Ibn al-Sāʾib, related by Abū Ṣāliḥ from Ibn ʿAbbās, it is reported that Jesus son of Mary met a band of Jews. When they saw him they said, “The sorcerer, son of a sorceress, has come—the fornicator, son of a fornicator!” Thus they slandered him and his mother. When Jesus heard that