The Role of the Human Soul

Alongside the creation of the physical form from clay, the Quran also speaks of the breathing of Allah’s spirit into humans, endowing them with life and a soul. This divine breath is seen as the source of human consciousness and the ability to comprehend, reflect, and connect with the Creator. It signifies a metaphysical dimension to human creation, contrasting with our physical origin from earthly materials.

فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُۥ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ سَٰجِدِينَ

“When I have formed him, and breathed into him of My spirit, fall down prostrating before him.”

The Holy Quran · Al-Hijr (The Rock) · 15:29

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِن سُلَٰلَةٍۢ مِّن طِينٍۢ

We created man from an extract of clay.

The Holy Quran · Al-Muminoon (The Believers) · 23:12

ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦ ۖ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ ۚ قَلِيلًۭا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ

Then He proportioned him, and breathed into him of His Spirit. Then He gave you the hearing, and the eyesight, and the brains—but rarely do you give thanks.

The Holy Quran · As-Sajda (The Prostration) · 32:9

فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُۥ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ سَٰجِدِينَ

When I have formed him, and breathed into him of My spirit, fall prostrate before him.

The Holy Quran · Saad (The letter Saad) · 38:72