Even though our knowledge may be limited, let’s see how this term is used throughout the Quran.
Root
The root of the word Ruh is “ ra-waw-ha” ( ر و ح), which occurs 57 times in the Quran. The root has the following derivative meanings:
breath of life; wind; strength; Spirit; soul; inspiration; revelation; essence; to go or do a thing at evening; Note: the medium by which the word of God is carried
27 times, it is used in the context of wind
Twice in the context of returning/traveling (16:6, 34:12)
Twice in one verse in the context of God’s essence/grace (12:87)
This leaves 21 other occurrences in the Quran where the word is used in the context of a spirit or revelation (including the two occurrences mentioned in 17:85 above).
God Breathed His Spirit into Adam
Three times in the Quran, it describes God breathing His spirit in the creation of Adam.
15:29 “Once I perfect him, and blow into him from My spirit, you shall fall prostrate before him.”
66:12 Also Mary, the Amramite. She maintained her chastity, then we blew into her from our spirit. She believed in the words of her Lord and His scriptures; she was obedient.
4:171 O people of the scripture, do not transgress the limits of your religion, and do not say about GOD except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was a messenger of GOD, and His word that He had sent to Mary, and a revelation from Him. Therefore, you shall believe in GOD and His messengers. You shall not say, “Trinity.” You shall refrain from this for your own good. GOD is only one god. Be He glorified; He is much too glorious to have a son. To Him belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth. GOD suffices as Lord and Master.
Three of the four instances in the Quran of the Holy Spirit ( rūḥi l-qudusi / رُوحِ ٱلْقُدُسِ) are mentioned in support of Jesus.
2:87 We gave Moses the scripture, and subsequent to him we sent other messengers, and we gave Jesus, son of Mary, profound miracles and supported him with the Holy Spirit. Is it not a fact that every time a messenger went to you with anything you disliked, your ego caused you to be arrogant? Some of them you rejected, and some of them you killed.
5:110 GOD will say, “O Jesus, son of Mary, remember My blessings upon you and your mother. I supported you with the Holy Spirit, to enable you to speak to the people from the crib, as well as an adult. I taught you the scripture, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel. Recall that you created from clay the shape of a bird by My leave, then blew into it, and it became a live bird by My leave. You healed the blind and the leprous by My leave, and revived the dead by My leave. Recall that I protected you from the Children of Israel who wanted to hurt you, despite the profound miracles you had shown them. The disbelievers among them said, ‘This is obviously magic.’
2:253 These messengers; we blessed some of them more than others. For example, GOD spoke to one, and we raised some of them to higher ranks. And we gave Jesus, son of Mary, profound miracles and supported him with the Holy Spirit. Had GOD willed, their followers would not have fought with each other, after the clear proofs had come to them. Instead, they disputed among themselves; some of them believed, and some disbelieved. Had GOD willed, they would not have fought. Everything is in accordance with GOD’s will.
One time, the Quran uses the expression the Holy Spirit ( rūḥi l-qudusi / رُوحِ ٱلْقُدُسِ) in the sending down of the Quran. Another time, it uses the expression “The Honest Spirit” ( l- rūḥu l-amīnu / ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلْأَمِينُ). In this verse, Dr. Rashad Khalifa identifies this entity as the angel Gabriel.
16:102 Say, “ The Holy Spirit has brought it down from your Lord, truthfully, to assure those who believe, and to provide a beacon and good news for the submitters.”
26:193 The Honest Spirit (Gabriel) came down with it.
نَزَلَ بِهِ ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلْأَمِينُ
Ruh supports the Believers
The Quran also states that the believers will be supported by the Ruh.
58:22 You will not find people who believe in GOD and the Last Day befriending those who oppose GOD and His messenger, even if they were their parents, or their children, or their siblings, or their tribe. For these, He decrees faith into their hearts, and supports them with inspiration from Him, and admits them into gardens with flowing streams wherein they abide forever. GOD is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. These are the party of GOD. Most assuredly, GOD’s party are the winners.
Three times in the Quran, we see that the Ruh is associated with carrying out God’s commands.
40:15 Possessor of the highest ranks, and Ruler of the whole dominion. He sends inspiration, bearing His commands, to whomever He chooses from among His servants, to warn about the Day of Summoning.
The next verse indicates that the ruh was given to the prophet through inspiration ( wahi).
42:52 Thus, we inspired to you a revelation proclaiming our commandments. You had no idea about the scripture, or faith. Yet, we made this a beacon to guide whomever we choose from among our servants. Surely, you guide in a straight path.
Additionally, in 6:19, we see that the Quran was also disseminated to him through inspiration (wahi).
6:19 Say, “Whose testimony is the greatest?” Say, “GOD’s. He is the witness between me and you that this Quran has been inspired to me, to preach it to you and whomever it reaches. Indeed, you bear witness that there are other gods beside GOD.” Say, “I do not testify as you do; there is only one god, and I disown your idolatry.”
16:2 He sends down the angels with the revelations, carrying His commands, to whomever He chooses from among His servants: “You shall preach that there is no other god beside Me; You shall reverence Me.”
78:38 The day will come when the Spirit and the angels will stand in a row. None will speak except those permitted by the Most Gracious, and they will utter only what is right.