One of the ninety-nine names for God found in the Islamic faith is Al-Quddus, or "The Pure One." This name can be found in the Quran in various forms. The various forms of this word can refer to the purity of God, an angel, or a human being.
Purity of God in Islam
The word Quddus comes from the Arabic root Qadusa. Qadusa carries the meaning “to be pure, holy, and spotless,” according to the Quran. Thus, in reference to God, He is viewed as a pure being above all being; pure consciousness above all consciousness; pure life above all that is living.
As the Quran states, "Unto Allah belong the East and the West, and whithersoever ye turn, there is Allah's Countenance. Lo! Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing." (Quran 2:115)
God’s Self (Wajh) encompasses all that exist. He is not bound, or limited, by space and time. God is boundless, and without limit.
However, God is more than just a being; He is the creator of all being for Muslims. He's thought to live in a way beyond comprehension. Yet humanity can approach him in prayer, and be immediately heard because He exists in no specific place, or a specific time; He simply exists. Muslims believe His purity derives from flawlessness. Through his mercy He touches creation with a pure nature.
To touch creation, Muslims believe that God utilizes The Divine Spirit (Ruh Quddus) for the purpose of manifesting his purity, and good intentions towards the world.
The Pure and Divine Spirit in Islam
The Divine Spirit in Islam is called Ruh Quddus (the Divine or Holy Spirit). In Islam, this is a creation of God made from light energy. A pure source of energy that only does what it is told to do from its Lord, and does not deviate. Such are the creation all angels. However, only one angel has the title of Ruh Quddus in Islam, and He is the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). Muslims believe his job is to bring revelation to humanity, and unlock the potential that lay dormant in the prophets and messengers who have walked this earth.
The Quran states, “Of those messengers, some of whom We have caused to excel others, and of whom there are some unto whom Allah spoke, while some of them He exalted (above others) in degrees; and We gave Jesus, son of Mary, clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) and We supported him with the Holy Spirit." [Ruh Quddus] (Quran 2:253)
According to Islam, this is the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). He is the one angel that acts as a bridge between God and Prophets, and humanity. He aided Jesus in the miracles that Jesus performed. He was also the angel that Muhammad saw during his meditations. He told, and instructed, Prophet Muhammad in how to proclaim to humanity the Quran.
As such, Jibreel is an empowering angel that unlocks the gifts that God has placed within human beings. Jibreel has the keys to open the soul, and allow the wealth of knowledge, and abilities, to come forth from potential to actuallisation. But this is only done for the select few who are found worthy of the gifts that the angel can impart.
Although human beings are no longer allowed to obtain the status of prophet, as Jesus and Muhammad were, according to Islamic belief it is still possible, through practicing a pure life, for a person to have their true potential unlocked within them, and benefit from the fruits of one's labor.
Purity of The Believer in Islam
The Quran mentions human beings as being either pure, or impure. Purity in this since is not dealing with only physical cleanliness. Instead it is dealing with purity of the self. It is dealing with purity in words and deeds. This physical manifestation of the self is reflective of ones thoughts. For ones words and deeds will ultimately expose a person's true nature.
Thus, the Muslim pays close attention to the will of God, as taught from the Quran, and the pure inclinations of their own souls. They cease to listen to the lower self who is controlled by physical desires, and turn their eyes to The Pure One to attain purity. This is done through prayer and remembrance of God; through kind words and deeds, and charitable acts for all mankind.
Thus calling oneself a Muslim is not enough. The Muslim has to actively participate in his/her own growth and development. He/She must work for the greater good, and for the sake of the whole world.
In consideration of Purity of God, and being the source from which purity flows, Muslims remember God through this attribute that He possesses by emulating his ways of goodwill, and respect for life in this world. Muslims honor life over death, fellowship over hatred, and happiness over sorrow. This shows the god-consciousness (taqwa) that Muslims strive to bring forth from their very souls into actualization.
They pray that Allah will send his Angels, especially Ruh Quddus, to help along the way.
Sources:
- Abdullah Yusef Ali, The Holy Quran; With Arabic Text.
- Abdul Mannan Omar, Dictionary of The Holy Quran.
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