The Qur'aan and Sunnah indicate that the jinn exist, and that there is a purpose for their existence in
this life, which is to worship Allaah Alone, with no partner or associate. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meanings):
"And I (Allaah) created not the jinns and humans, except they should worship Me
(Alone)." [al-Dhaariyaat 51:56].
"O assembly of jinns and mankind! Did there not come to you Messengers from
amongst you, reciting unto you My Verses?" [al-An'aam 6:130]
The world of the jinn is an independent and separate world, with its own distinct nature and features
that are hidden from the world of humans. Jinns and humans have some things in common, such as
the
possession of understanding and the choice between the way of good and the way of evil. The
word jinn,
comes from an Arabic root meaning "hidden from sight". Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
". Verily he [Shaytaan] and his qabeeluhu [his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe] see
you from where you cannot see them." [al-A'raaf 7:27]
Allaah has told us in His Book the essence from which the jinn were created. He says (interpretation
of the meaning):
"And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame o fire." [al-Hijr
5:27] "And the jinns did He create from a smokeless flame of fire." [al-Rahmaan 55:15].
According to a hadeeth narrated by 'Aa'ishah, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: "The angels were created from light, the jinn were created from fire, and Aadam
was created from that which has been described to you." (Reported by Muslim, 5314).
Types of jinn
Allaah has created different types of jinn. Among them are some who can take on different forms, such
as dogs and snakes; some who are like flying winds with wings; and some who can travel and rest.
Abu Tha'labah al-Khushani said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: 'The jinn are of three types: a types that has wings, and they fly through the air;
a type that looks like snakes and dogs; and a type that stops for a rest then resumes its
journey." (Reported by al-Tahhaawi in Mushkil al-Athaar, 4/95, and by al-Tabaraani in al- Kabeer,
22/214. Shaykh al-Albaani said in al-Mishkaat (2/1206, no. 4148): al-Tahhaawi and Abu'l-Shaykh reported
it with a saheeh isnaad).
The jinn and the sons of Aadam
Every individual among the sons of Aadam has a jinni who has been appointed to be his constant
companion (qareen). Ibn Mas'ood said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said, 'There is not one of you who does not have a jinn appointed to be his
constant companion.' They said, 'And you too, O Messenger of Allaah?' He said, 'Me too,
but Allaah has helped me and he has submitted, so that he only helps me to do good.'"
(Reported by Muslim, 2814). Al-Nawawi said in his commentary on Muslim (17/175): "'He has submitted’.
He became a believing Muslim.
This is the apparent meaning.
Al- Qaadi said: Know that the ummah is agreed upon the fact that the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) was protected from Shaytaan, physically and mentally, and with regard to his
speech.This hadeeth contains a reference to the warning against the fitnah (temptation, trial) and whispers
of the qareen (constant companion from among the jinn). We know that he is with us so we should beware
of him as much as possible."
Their powers
Allaah has given the jinn powers that he has not given to humans. Allaah has told us about some of their
powers,such as the ability to move and travel quickly. An 'ifreet from among the jinn guaranteed to the
Prophet Sulaymaan (peace be upon him) that he would bring the throne of the Queen of Yemen to
Jerusalem in a moment faster than that needed for a man to get up from where he was sitting. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):
"An 'ifreet (strong one) from the jinns said: 'I will bring it [her throne] to you before you
rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such
work.' One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: 'I will bring it to you within
the twinkling of an eye!' - then when Sulaymaan saw it placed before him, he said, 'This
s by the Grace of my Lord.'" [al-Naml 27:39-40].
The food and drink of the jinn
The jinn eat and drink. Ibn Mas'ood said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said: 'Someone from among the jinn called me, and I went with him and recited
Qur'aan for them.' He took us and showed us the traces of where they had been and the
traces of their fires.They asked him for food and he said, 'You can have every bone on
which the name of Allaah has been mentioned that comes into your possession, as meat,
and all the droppings as food for your animals.' The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said, 'So do not use [these things] for cleaning yourselves [after
relieving oneself], for they are the food and provision of your brothers.'" (Reported by Muslim,
450). According to another report: "A delegation of jinn from Naseebeen came to me, and what
good jinn they are! They asked me for food and I prayed to Allaah for them, so that they
would not pass by bones or droppings, but they would find food on them." (Reported by
al-Bukhaari, 3571). The believing jinn may eat any bone on which the name of Allaah has been mentioned,
because the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not permit them to have
anything on which Allaah's name has not been mentioned - those are for the kuffaar among the jinn.
The beasts of the jinn
According to the hadeeth narrated by Ibn Mas'ood, that we have quoted above, the jinn asked the
Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) for provision, and he said to them: "…and
[you can have] all the droppings as food for your animals."
The dwelling-places of the jinn
The jinn live on this earth where we do. They are mostly to be found in ruins and unclean places like
bathrooms, dunghills, garbage dumps and graveyards. Hence the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) taught us to take precautions when entering such places, by reciting the
adhkaar (prayers) prescribed by Islam. One of these was reported by Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be
pleased with him), who said: "When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) entered the toilet, he would say, 'Allaahumma innee a'oodhu bika min
al-khubuthi wa'l-khabaa'ith (O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from the evil ones, male and
female).'" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 142; and Muslim, 375).Al-Khattaabi explained that khubuth is the
plural of khabeeth (evil or dirty - masculine form), and khabaa'ith is the plural of khabeethah (evil or dirty
- feminine form), and that what is meant is male and female shayaateen.
Some jinns are Muslims and some are kaafirs
Allaah tells us that some of the jinn said (interpretation of the meaning):
" 'And some of us are Muslims, and of us some are al- qaasitoon (disbelievers - those
who have deviated from the Right Path). And whosoever has embraced Islam, then such
have sought the Right Path. And as for the qaasitoon, they shall be firewood for Hell.'"
[al-Jinn 72:14-15]
The Muslims among the jinn are of different levels as regards righteousness and taqwa. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):
"[Some jinn said:] 'There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary;
we are groups, each having a different way (religious sects, etc.)'" [al-Jinn 72:11]
The story of how the first jinn of this ummah became Muslim was narrated by 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Abbaas,
who said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out with a group of his
Companions heading for the marketplace of 'Ukaaz. This was when the shayaateen were prevented
from getting any news from heaven, and shooting stars had been sent against them. The shayaateen
went back to their people, who said, 'What is the matter with you?' They said, 'We cannot get news from
heaven, and shooting stars were sent against us.' Their people said, 'Nothing is stopping you from
hearing news from heaven except some new event that must have happened. Go and look in the east
and the west of the earth, and see if you can find out what it is that is stopping you from hearing news
rom heaven.'
Those who went out in the direction of Tihaamah came upon the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) in Nakhlah, when he was on his way to 'Ukaaz, and found him leading his
Companions in Fajr prayer. When they heard the Qur'aan, they listened to it and said, 'By Allaah, this
is what is stopping us from hearing news from heaven.' When they went back to their people, they
said, 'O our people, we have heard a wonderful Recital (the Qur'aan). It guides to the
Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we shall never join (in worship) anything
with our Lord (Allaah). [al-Jinn 72:2 - interpretation of the meaning].
Then Allaah revealed to His Prophet peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) the words
(interpretation of the meaning): "Say (O Muhammad): 'It has been revealed to me that a group
of jinns listened (to this Qur'aan).' [al-Jinn 72:1], and Allaah revealed to him what the jinn had
said." (reported by al-Bukhaari, 731).
Their reckoning on the Day of Resurrection
The jinn will be called to account on the day of Resurrection. Mujaahid (may Allaah have mercy on him)
said, concerning the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): "…but the jinns know well that they have
indeed to appear (before Him) (i.e., they will be brought to account)" [al- Saffaat 37:158]:
"They will be brought to judgement." Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Baab Dhikr al-Jinn wa Thawaabihim wa
'Iqaabihim.
