ar-Rūḥ is interpreted in five ways:
1. The word ar-Rūḥ is used in the sense of mercy; as in the following verse:
He supported them with a rūḥ from Himself {that is, He protected them with a mercy from Himself}. (al-Mujādila 58:22)
2. By the term ar-Rūḥ, an angel is meant who is in the seventh heaven, whose face is human and whose body is in the form of an angel; in the following verse, it is used in this sense:
The Day that the rūḥ {that is, the angel in the seventh heaven whose face is human and whose body is in the form of an angel} and the angels will stand in rows. (an-Nabaʾ 78:38)
The angels are greater than all other created beings except the Throne. This particular angel is a guardian and overseer over the other angels. He will stand as a single row to the right of the Throne, while all the other angels will stand as a separate row. The rūḥ mentioned in the following verse from Sūrat al-Isrāʾ also refers to this angel:
And they ask you about the rūḥ {that is, that angel: the one in the seventh heaven whose face is human and whose body is in the form of an angel}. Say: "The rūḥ {that is, that angel} is of the affair of my Lord." (al-Isrāʾ 17:85)
3. By ar-Rūḥ, Jibrīl (Gabriel) is meant; as in the following verses:
Say: "The Rūḥ al-Qudus {that is, Jibrīl} has brought it down;" (an-Nahl 16:102)
The trustworthy Rūḥ / Rūḥ al-Amīn {that is, Jibrīl} has brought it down. (ash-Shuʿarāʾ 26:193)
We supported him with the Rūḥ al-Qudus {that is, Jibrīl} {that is, We strengthened him}. (al-Baqara 2:87 and 2:253)
Then We sent to her Our Rūḥ {that is, Jibrīl}. (Maryam 19:17)
On that night the angels and the Rūḥ {that is, Jibrīl} descend and descend. (al-Qadr 97:4)
4. Rūḥ is used in the sense of revelation (waḥy); as in the following verses:
He sends down the angels with the rūḥ {that is, revelation} of His command upon whom He wills of His servants {that is, the prophets}. (an-Nahl 16:2)
He casts the rūḥ {that is, revelation} of His command upon whom He wills of His servants {that is, the prophets} {that is, He sends it down}. (al-Muʾmin 40:15)
And thus We have revealed to you a rūḥ of Our command {that is, We have revealed a revelation from Our command}. (ash-Shūrā 42:52)
5. By the word rūḥ, Jesus is meant; as in the following verse:
(Jesus is) His word which He conveyed to Mary {that is, it is by His saying "Be!" that he came into being} and a rūḥ from Him {that is, he was born without a father}. (an-Nisāʾ 4:171)
Regarding Adam, it is also stated:
Then He proportioned him {that is, Adam} and breathed into him of His rūḥ. (as-Sajda 32:9)