by the Holy Spirit; for he said: “Upon him shall settle the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the word and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of understanding (1) and the fear of God.” He did not say that the Life of God would dwell in him—much less that God Himself would indwell him, unite with him, and take his human nature as a veil. This spirit accompanies the prophets and the virtuous.

In the Torah they also read: “Upon those who labored on the Tabernacle the spirit of wisdom descended” (2). The spirit of understanding and knowledge is what brings guidance, victory, and divine support.

His phrase, “it is (3) the Spirit of God,” does not indicate that the spirit is one of God’s attributes—let alone that it is God Himself! Gabriel is called the Spirit of God, and the Messiah likewise bears the title Spirit of God.

Whenever a self-subsisting entity is ascribed to God, the annexation signifies ownership, as in “the House of God,” “the She-Camel of God,” and “the Spirit of God.” It is not meant that He dwells in the house, rides the she-camel, or that the spirit subsists within Him. The Exalted says, “They are those into whose hearts He has written faith and whom He has strengthened with a Spirit from Him” ⦗Al-Mujādalah 58:22⦘, and He says, “Thus We have revealed to you a spirit of Our command” ⦗Ash-Shūrā 42:52⦘. This is the spirit with which He supported His believing servants.

As for the words, “Through him they will believe and in him they will place their trust,” the pronouns return to God, not to the rod that sprouted (4) from the house of prophecy.