17.85 – They ask you about the spirit
The identity of “the spirit” (al-rūḥ) seems to be a matter of mystery. In this verse the listeners seem to know very little about the spirit, and they ask the messenger about it. But little information is provided, either here or in other verses that mention the spirit. “The spirit (comes) from the command of my Lord” is similar to “the spirit of his command” at 16:2; 40:15; and 42:52. Those verses relate the spirit to warning and guidance.
The Muslim story of Islamic origins provided a narrative context or “occasion of recitation” for this verse. A group of Jewish rabbis in Medina come to ask four things of Muhammad, the third of which is “Tell us about the spirit.” Islam’s messenger answers, “Do you not know it is Gabriel . . . ?” (Sīra).
For an analysis of “the spirit” in the Quran, see the comments at 97.4.