—peace be upon them all—this wording never refers to Allah’s own life, nor to any attribute inherent in Him.

What it does denote is the assistance with which Allah supports the prophets and His saints: the guidance, light, revelation, and strengthening that He places in their hearts, together with the angels He dispatches for that purpose. This is what the prophets themselves call the Holy Spirit; it was not reserved for the Messiah alone, as Muslims and the People of the Book alike acknowledge. Rather, Allah bestowed it upon other prophets and righteous people as their own scriptures attest: the Holy Spirit was with David and others, and, in their view, was likewise present with the disciples.

So too, the Seal of the Messengers used to say to Ḥassān ibn Thābit:

“Indeed, the Holy Spirit is with you as long as you defend His Prophet,”

and he would pray:

“O Allah, strengthen him with the Holy Spirit.”

Allah the Exalted has also said about His believing servants:

“You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they be their fathers, their sons, their brothers, or their kindred. Such are the ones in whose hearts He has inscribed faith and whom He has supported with a spirit from Him.” ⦗58:22⦘