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(→Creation: Have added a quran verse on the jinn being made up of nations, and cited an academic on some traditional Islamic views on these nations.) |
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{{QualityScore|Lead=2|Structure=3|Content=3|Language=3|References=2}} | {{QualityScore|Lead=2|Structure=3|Content=3|Language=3|References=2}} | ||
'''Jinn''' (جن ''ǧinn'', singular جني ''ǧinnī'' ; variant spelling ''djinn'') or, as Romanized more broadly, '''genies'''<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/genie|2=2012-04-27}} Genie] - Wiktionary, accessed April 27, 2012</ref> are said to be supernatural creatures that occupy a parallel world to that of mankind. Belief in jinn was common in pre-Islamic Arabia, where they were thought to inspire poets and soothsayers.<ref>Britannica.com. History & Society. [https://www.britannica.com/topic/jinni Entry on Jinni.]</ref> Their existence is confirmed in Islam as they are mentioned in the [[Qur'an]], [[hadith]], other [[Islam and Scripture|Islamic texts]] and Arab folklore. The Jinn are believed to exist in many sub-species themselves, with some living in the air, others as humans on land, and some like "snakes and dogs".<ref>Hughes, Thomas Patrick (1885). "Genii". ''Dictionary of Islam: Being a Cyclopædia of the Doctrines, Rites, Ceremonies'' . London, UK: W.H.Allen. pp. 134–6. Retrieved 4 October 2019.</ref> Together, the various jinns, humans and angels make up the three sentient creations of [[Allah]]. Like human beings, the jinn can also be good, evil, or neutrally benevolent.<ref>El-Zein, Amira. [http://books.google.com/books?id=H-k9oc9xsuAC&pg=PA116-IA117&lpg=PA116-IA117&dq=Jinn:+Medieval+Islamic+Civilization+-+An+Encyclopaedia&source=bl&ots=TSnTkHUY_j&sig=mXTd96-4uH5A5dpRvcBvgDGjUS4&hl=en&ei=HScES6WOBMLDlAek9IHtAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CAwQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Jinn%3A%20Medieval%20Islamic%20Civilization%20-%20An%20Encyclopaedia&f=false "Jinn,"] 420-421, in Meri, Joseph W., ''Medieval Islamic Civilization - An Encyclopedia''.</ref> | '''Jinn''' (جن ''ǧinn'', singular جني ''ǧinnī'' ; variant spelling ''djinn'') or, as Romanized more broadly, '''genies'''<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/genie|2=2012-04-27}} Genie] - Wiktionary, accessed April 27, 2012</ref> are said to be supernatural creatures that occupy a parallel world to that of mankind. Belief in jinn was common in pre-Islamic Arabia, where they were thought to inspire poets and soothsayers.<ref>Britannica.com. History & Society. [https://www.britannica.com/topic/jinni Entry on Jinni.]</ref> Their existence is confirmed in Islam as they are mentioned in the [[Qur'an]], [[hadith]], other [[Islam and Scripture|Islamic texts]] and Arab folklore. The Jinn are believed to exist in many sub-species themselves, with some living in the air, others as humans on land, and some like "snakes and dogs".<ref>Hughes, Thomas Patrick (1885). "Genii". ''Dictionary of Islam: Being a Cyclopædia of the Doctrines, Rites, Ceremonies'' . London, UK: W.H.Allen. pp. 134–6. Retrieved 4 October 2019.</ref> Together, the various jinns, humans and angels make up the three sentient creations of [[Allah]]. Like human beings, the jinn can also be good, evil, or neutrally benevolent.<ref>El-Zein, Amira. [http://books.google.com/books?id=H-k9oc9xsuAC&pg=PA116-IA117&lpg=PA116-IA117&dq=Jinn:+Medieval+Islamic+Civilization+-+An+Encyclopaedia&source=bl&ots=TSnTkHUY_j&sig=mXTd96-4uH5A5dpRvcBvgDGjUS4&hl=en&ei=HScES6WOBMLDlAek9IHtAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CAwQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Jinn%3A%20Medieval%20Islamic%20Civilization%20-%20An%20Encyclopaedia&f=false "Jinn,"] 420-421, in Meri, Joseph W., ''Medieval Islamic Civilization - An Encyclopedia''.</ref> | ||
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27. And the Jinn race, We had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind.}}And are made up of communities/nations like humans: | 27. And the Jinn race, We had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind.}}And are made up of communities/nations like humans: | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|46|18}}|Such are those on whom the Word concerning nations of the jinn and mankind which have passed away before them hath effect. Lo! they are the losers.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|46|18}}|Such are those on whom the Word concerning nations of the jinn and mankind which have passed away before them hath effect. Lo! they are the losers.}} | ||
Dr Amira El-Zein | Dr Amira El-Zein discusses some classical Islamic views on these nations: | ||
{{Quote|El-Zein, Amira. Islam, Arabs, and the Intelligent World of the Jinn (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East) (pp. 15-16). Syracuse University Press.|The nations of jinn are formed of tribes, similar to Arab society in pre-Islam. Many of the tribes of jinn are mentioned in the pre-Islamic and Islamic narratives, such as the tribes of Dahrash, Banu Ghazwan and the tribe of ‘Asr. Like humans, the jinn are thought to be two groups: sedentary people and those who move around called “the nomads of the jinn.” Among those are some who roam by day, and some who roam by night. Although Muslim scholars describe in detail the social organization of the jinn, there is no agreement among them regarding the number of their tribes. Historian al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali al-Mas‘udi (d. 956), for example, mentions the jinn are distributed among twenty-one tribes. Ibn ‘Arabi (d. 1240) claims the jinn are spread among twelve tribes that have their own monarchs and chiefs. Many other scholars acknowledge the number of these tribes is unknown.}} | {{Quote|El-Zein, Amira. Islam, Arabs, and the Intelligent World of the Jinn (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East) (pp. 15-16). Syracuse University Press.|The nations of jinn are formed of tribes, similar to Arab society in pre-Islam. Many of the tribes of jinn are mentioned in the pre-Islamic and Islamic narratives, such as the tribes of Dahrash, Banu Ghazwan and the tribe of ‘Asr. Like humans, the jinn are thought to be two groups: sedentary people and those who move around called “the nomads of the jinn.” Among those are some who roam by day, and some who roam by night. Although Muslim scholars describe in detail the social organization of the jinn, there is no agreement among them regarding the number of their tribes. Historian al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali al-Mas‘udi (d. 956), for example, mentions the jinn are distributed among twenty-one tribes. Ibn ‘Arabi (d. 1240) claims the jinn are spread among twelve tribes that have their own monarchs and chiefs. Many other scholars acknowledge the number of these tribes is unknown.}} | ||
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The first part of Surah al-Jinn discusses the activities and thoughts of a group of Jinn who encountered Muhammad: | The first part of Surah al-Jinn discusses the activities and thoughts of a group of Jinn who encountered Muhammad: | ||
(Interestingly verse 8 onwards uncharacteristically seems to swap to the jinn's perspective without explanation, contradicting the idea that the Quran is solely the word of God; the section in brackets on verse 8 below is added entirely by the translator Pickthall, which is why most official translations do not have this - as you can see following the link to quranx). | (Interestingly verse 8 onwards uncharacteristically seems to swap to the jinn's perspective without explanation,<ref>Durie, Mark. The Qur’an and Its Biblical Reflexes: Investigations into the Genesis of a Religion (p. 116). Lexington Books. | ||
..There are conversations reported between the Messenger and others and between believers and disbelievers, and there are often rapid switches between different conversations. ''There are even conversations where jinn speak to each other (Q72)...'' | |||
</ref> contradicting the idea that the Quran is solely the word of God; the section in brackets on verse 8 below is added entirely by the translator Pickthall, which is why most official translations do not have this - as you can see following the link to quranx). | |||
{{Quote|{{quran-range|72|1|14}}|1. Say (O Muhammad): It is revealed unto me that a company of the Jinn gave ear, and they said: Lo! we have heard a marvellous Qur'an, | {{Quote|{{quran-range|72|1|14}}|1. Say (O Muhammad): It is revealed unto me that a company of the Jinn gave ear, and they said: Lo! we have heard a marvellous Qur'an, | ||
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With the implication being according to many scholars that it is possible for them to have intercourse with humans, such as in classical [https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/55.56 tasfirs], and rulings from [http://eshaykh.com/family/can-a-jinn-perform-sex-with-your-wife/ shaykhs]. And many ruling that jinn can technically perform marriages with humans, but it is not lawful.<ref>https://islamqa.org/hanafi/daruliftaa/7923/human-jinn-inter-marriages/</ref> <ref>https://www.islamawareness.net/Jinn/fatwa_marry.html</ref> <ref>https://fiqh.islamonline.net/en/may-a-human-marry-a-jinni/</ref> | With the implication being according to many scholars that it is possible for them to have intercourse with humans, such as in classical [https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/55.56 tasfirs], and rulings from [http://eshaykh.com/family/can-a-jinn-perform-sex-with-your-wife/ shaykhs]. And many ruling that jinn can technically perform marriages with humans, but it is not lawful.<ref>https://islamqa.org/hanafi/daruliftaa/7923/human-jinn-inter-marriages/</ref> <ref>https://www.islamawareness.net/Jinn/fatwa_marry.html</ref> <ref>https://fiqh.islamonline.net/en/may-a-human-marry-a-jinni/</ref> | ||
==== Wriggling ==== | |||
Moses's staff is said to wriggle like a jinn (tahtazzu ka-annahā jānnun) during a miraculous transformation, which as Nicolai Sinai notes, may point to an affinity between the jinn and snakes (as found with shaytan and in the hadith), or due to jinn's particular rapidity and suddenness of movement.<ref>Entry: ''jinn, jinnah coll. | demons, jinn jānn | demon, jinni majnūn | jinn-possessed'' | |||
Sinai, Nicolai. Key Terms of the Qur'an: A Critical Dictionary (p. 182). Princeton University Press.</ref> | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|27|10}}|And throw down thy staff! But when he saw it writhing as it were a demon, he turned to flee headlong; (but it was said unto him): O Moses! Fear not! the emissaries fear not in My presence,}} | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|28|31}}|Throw down thy staff. And when he saw it writhing as it had been a demon, he turned to flee headlong, (and it was said unto him): O Moses! Draw nigh and fear not. Lo! thou art of those who are secure.}} | |||
==== '''Satan''' ==== | ==== '''Satan''' ==== | ||
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{{Quote|{{Quran|2|275}}|Those who exact usury will not stand <b>but like one deranged by the Devil’s touch.</b> That is because they say, ‘Trade is just like usury.’ While Allah has allowed trade and forbidden usury. Whoever relinquishes [usury] on receiving advice from his Lord shall keep [the gains of] what is past, and his matter will rest with Allah. As for those who resume, they shall be the inmates of the Fire and they shall remain in it [forever].}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|2|275}}|Those who exact usury will not stand <b>but like one deranged by the Devil’s touch.</b> That is because they say, ‘Trade is just like usury.’ While Allah has allowed trade and forbidden usury. Whoever relinquishes [usury] on receiving advice from his Lord shall keep [the gains of] what is past, and his matter will rest with Allah. As for those who resume, they shall be the inmates of the Fire and they shall remain in it [forever].}} | ||
A much longer list of scholars citing the Islamic evidence for jinn possession, including the hadith, can be found via this Salafi website (Salafi Research Institute) webpage - [https://www.salafiri.com/evidences-for-jinn-possession-a-reply-to-the-detractors/ Evidences for Jinn Possession]. | A much longer list of scholars citing the Islamic evidence for jinn possession, including the hadith, can be found via this Salafi website (Salafi Research Institute) webpage - [https://www.salafiri.com/evidences-for-jinn-possession-a-reply-to-the-detractors/ Evidences for Jinn Possession]. | ||
==== Tampers with revelations ==== | |||
This possession may be related to how Satan interjects into revelations as mentioned in the Qur'an. These verses have traditionally been linked to the famous [[:en:Qur'an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Muhammad_and_the_Satanic_Verses|Satanic verses]] by classical Qur'anic commentators.<ref>Commentaries for [https://quranx.com/Tafsirs/22.52 ''Verse 22:52'']</ref> | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|22|52-53}}|We have sent no messenger or apostle before you with whose recitations Satan did not tamper. Yet God abrogates what Satan interpolates; then He confirms His revelations, for God is all-knowing and all-wise. | |||
This is in order to make the interpolations of Satan a test for those whose hearts are diseased and hardened: Surely the sinners have gone far in dissent.}} | |||
==== '''Making people forgetful''' ==== | ==== '''Making people forgetful''' ==== | ||
Satan causes Moses to forget something. | Satan causes Moses to forget something. | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|18|63}}|He replied, “Do you remember when we rested by the rock? <b>˹That is when˺ I forgot the fish. None made me forget to mention this except Satan.</b> And the fish made its way into the sea miraculously.”}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|18|63}}|He replied, “Do you remember when we rested by the rock? <b>˹That is when˺ I forgot the fish. None made me forget to mention this except Satan.</b> And the fish made its way into the sea miraculously.”}}And a man to forget mentioning Joseph to the king.<ref>See [https://quranx.com/tafsirs/12.42 commentaries on Q12:42] for context.</ref> | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|12|42}}|Then he said to the one whom he knew would be delivered from among the two: ‘Mention me to your master.’ <b>But Satan caused him to forget mentioning [it] to his master.</b> So he remained in the prison for several years.}} | |||
=== Hadith === | === Hadith === | ||
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This lead to Muhammad even supposedly ordering the killing of black dogs for this reason: | This lead to Muhammad even supposedly ordering the killing of black dogs for this reason: | ||
{{Quote|{{Muslim|10|3813}}|Abu Zubair heard Jabir b. 'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with him) saying: | {{Quote|{{Muslim|10|3813}}|Abu Zubair heard Jabir b. 'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with him) saying: | ||
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ordered us to kill dogs, and we carried out this order so much so that we also kill the dog coming with a woman from the desert. Then Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) forbade their killing. He (the Prophet further) said: It is your duty the jet-black (dog) having two spots (on the eyes), for it is a devil.}} | Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ordered us to kill dogs, and we carried out this order so much so that we also kill the dog coming with a woman from the desert. Then Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) forbade their killing. He (the Prophet further) said: It is your duty the jet-black (dog) having two spots (on the eyes), for it is a devil.}}Jinn's take the form of snakes, so give them three days warning in case they are devils who will not heed it: | ||
{{Quote|{{Muslim|26|5557}}|Abu as-Sa’ib, the freed slaved of Hisham b. Zuhra, said that he visited Abu Sa’id Khudri in his house, (and he further) said: I found him saying his prayer, so I sat down waiting for him to finish his prayer when I heard a stir in the bundles (of wood) lying in a comer of the house. I looked towards it and found a snake. I jumped up in order to kill it, but he (Abu Sa’id Khudri) made a gesture that I should sit down. So I sat down and as he finished (the prayer) he pointed to a room in the house and said: Do you see this room? I said: Yes. He said: There was a young man amongst us who had been newly wedded. We went with Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) (to participate in the Battle) of Trench when a young man in the midday used to seek permission from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) to return to his family. One day he sought permission from him and Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) (after granting him the permission) said to him: Carry your weapons with you for I fear the tribe of Quraiza (may harm you). The man carried the weapons and then came back and found his wife standing between the two doors. He bent towards her smitten by jealousy and made a dash towards her with a spear in order to stab her. She said: Keep your spear away and enter the house until you see that which has made me come out. He entered and found a big snake coiled on the bedding. He darted with the spear and pierced it and then went out having fixed it in the house, but the snake quivered and attacked him and no one knew which of them died first, the snake or the young man. We came to Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) and made a mention to him and said: Supplicate to Allah that that (man) may be brought back to life. <i>Thereupon he said: Ask forgiveness for your companion and then said: There are in Medina jinns who have accepted Islam, so when you see any one of them, pronounce a warning to it for three days, and if they appear before you after that, then kill it for that is a devil.</i>}} | |||
Satan can appear with fire to burn you, but are repelled by certain prayers: | Satan can appear with fire to burn you, but are repelled by certain prayers: | ||
{{Quote|{{Muslim|4|1106}}|Abu Darda' reported: | {{Quote|{{Muslim|4|1106}}|Abu Darda' reported: | ||