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Jinn: Difference between revisions
→Hadith: Corrected previous update - jinn take the form of snakes - not possession.
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(→Hadith: I have added in a line and citation in the intro paragraph mentioning that belief in them was common in pre-Islamic Arabia to give historical context. Added some more hadith to the page, a relevant YouTube video, as well as some minor typo edits.) |
(→Hadith: Corrected previous update - jinn take the form of snakes - not possession.) |
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===Qur'an=== | ===Qur'an=== | ||
==== Creation ==== | |||
The Jinn are described in the Qur'an as having been made of a smokeless flame: | The Jinn are described in the Qur'an as having been made of a smokeless flame: | ||
{{Quote|{{quran|55|15}}|And the jinn did He create of smokeless fire.}} | {{Quote|{{quran|55|15}}|And the jinn did He create of smokeless fire.}} | ||
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27. And the Jinn race, We had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind.}} | 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.}} | |||
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.}} | |||
==== The Jinn interacting with humans ==== | |||
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). | |||
{{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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It is unclear how rules around e.g. circumcision and eating halal/kosher are followed or if they are at all relevant. | It is unclear how rules around e.g. circumcision and eating halal/kosher are followed or if they are at all relevant. | ||
'''The jinn can create buildings/structures and transport people to far locations instantly:''' | ==== '''The jinn can create buildings/structures and transport people to far locations instantly:''' ==== | ||
The Qur'an states that Sulayman (Solomon) had control over an army and workforce comprised of jinns and animals, among others: | The Qur'an states that Sulayman (Solomon) had control over an army and workforce comprised of jinns and animals, among others: | ||
{{Quote|{{quran|27|17}}|And there were gathered together unto Solomon his armies of the jinn and humankind, and of the birds, and they were set in battle order;}}{{Quote|{{quran-range|34|12|14}}|12. And unto Solomon (We gave) the wind, whereof the morning course was a month's journey and the evening course a month's journey, and We caused the fount of copper to gush forth for him, and (We gave him) certain of the jinn who worked before him by permission of his Lord. And such of them as deviated from Our command, them We caused to taste the punishment of flaming Fire. | {{Quote|{{quran|27|17}}|And there were gathered together unto Solomon his armies of the jinn and humankind, and of the birds, and they were set in battle order;}}{{Quote|{{quran-range|34|12|14}}|12. And unto Solomon (We gave) the wind, whereof the morning course was a month's journey and the evening course a month's journey, and We caused the fount of copper to gush forth for him, and (We gave him) certain of the jinn who worked before him by permission of his Lord. And such of them as deviated from Our command, them We caused to taste the punishment of flaming Fire. | ||
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39. A stalwart of the jinn said: I will bring it thee before thou canst rise from thy place. Lo! I verily am strong and trusty for such work. | 39. A stalwart of the jinn said: I will bring it thee before thou canst rise from thy place. Lo! I verily am strong and trusty for such work. | ||
40. | 40. The one who had knowledge of the Book said, ‘I will bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye.’ So when he saw it set near him, he said, ‘This is by the grace of my Lord, to test me if I will give thanks or be ungrateful. Whoever gives thanks, gives thanks only for his own sake. And whoever is ungrateful [should know that] my Lord is indeed all-sufficient, all-generous.’}} | ||
==== '''Romantic and sexual relations''' ==== | |||
The verses describing the virgin women of heaven claim they will not be touched by either humans or jinn: | The verses describing the virgin women of heaven claim they will not be touched by either humans or jinn: | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|55|56}}|Therein are those of modest gaze, whom neither man nor jinni will have touched before them.}}{{Quote|{{Quran|55|74}}|Whom neither man nor jinni will have touched before them}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|55|56}}|Therein are those of modest gaze, whom neither man nor jinni will have touched before them.}}{{Quote|{{Quran|55|74}}|Whom neither man nor jinni will have touched before them}} | ||
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> | ||
==== '''Satan''' ==== | |||
The Qur'an describes Satan (Iblis) as having been of the Jinn: | The Qur'an describes Satan (Iblis) as having been of the Jinn: | ||
{{Quote|{{quran|18|50}}|And (remember) when We said unto the angels: Fall prostrate before Adam, and they fell prostrate, all save Iblis. He was of the jinn, so he rebelled against his Lord's command. Will ye choose him and his seed for your protecting friends instead of Me, when they are an enemy unto you? Calamitous is the exchange for evil-doers.}} | {{Quote|{{quran|18|50}}|And (remember) when We said unto the angels: Fall prostrate before Adam, and they fell prostrate, all save Iblis. He was of the jinn, so he rebelled against his Lord's command. Will ye choose him and his seed for your protecting friends instead of Me, when they are an enemy unto you? Calamitous is the exchange for evil-doers.}} | ||
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{{Quote|{{quran|7|27}}|O Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you as he caused your (first) parents to go forth from the Garden and tore off from them their robe (of innocence) that he might manifest their shame to them. Lo! he seeth you, he and his tribe, from whence ye see him not. Lo! We have made the devils protecting friends for those who believe not.}} | {{Quote|{{quran|7|27}}|O Children of Adam! Let not Satan seduce you as he caused your (first) parents to go forth from the Garden and tore off from them their robe (of innocence) that he might manifest their shame to them. Lo! he seeth you, he and his tribe, from whence ye see him not. Lo! We have made the devils protecting friends for those who believe not.}} | ||
While some classical Islamic scholars differentiated between the "''shayateen''" (plural of Satan, or Shaytan, and translatable as "demons") and the jinn, most simply understood the shayateen to be the group of jinn who committed themselves to serving Shaytan (the head evil Jinn) or who engaged in evil black magic contracts with people. The Qur'an describes such demons as having helped propagate the secrets of black magic that had been revealed to the people of Babylon by two angels: | While some classical Islamic scholars differentiated between the "''shayateen''" (plural of Satan, or Shaytan, and translatable as "demons") and the jinn, most simply understood the shayateen to be the group of jinn who committed themselves to serving Shaytan (the head evil Jinn) or who engaged in evil black magic contracts with people. The Qur'an describes such demons as having helped propagate the secrets of black magic that had been revealed to the people of Babylon by two angels: | ||
{{Quote|{{quran|2|102}}|And follow that which the devils falsely related against the kingdom of Solomon. Solomon disbelieved not; but the devils disbelieved, teaching mankind magic and that which was revealed to the two angels in Babel, Harut and Marut. Nor did they (the two angels) teach it to anyone till they had said: We are only a temptation, therefore disbelieve not (in the guidance of Allah). And from these two (angles) people learn that by which they cause division between man and wife; but they injure thereby no-one save by Allah's leave. And they learn that which harmeth them and profiteth them not. And surely they do know that he who trafficketh therein will have no (happy) portion in the Hereafter; and surely evil is the price for which they sell their souls, if they but knew.}} | {{Quote|{{quran|2|102}}|And follow that which the devils falsely related against the kingdom of Solomon. Solomon disbelieved not; but the devils disbelieved, teaching mankind magic and that which was revealed to the two angels in Babel, Harut and Marut. Nor did they (the two angels) teach it to anyone till they had said: We are only a temptation, therefore disbelieve not (in the guidance of Allah). And from these two (angles) people learn that by which they cause division between man and wife; but they injure thereby no-one save by Allah's leave. And they learn that which harmeth them and profiteth them not. And surely they do know that he who trafficketh therein will have no (happy) portion in the Hereafter; and surely evil is the price for which they sell their souls, if they but knew.}} | ||
==== '''Blocked from reaching upper skies/heavens by stars/meteors''' ==== | |||
The rebellious jinn, referred to as satans, are blocked from reaching the 'Exalted Assembly' (listed in secondary Islamic literature as a group of angels with special knowledge) who they would steal information from. Stars with clear flames are thrown at them by the guardian angels, with the author seemingly conflating stars and meteors (''see: [[Scientific Errors in the Quran#Meteors as stars fired at devils]]''): | The rebellious jinn, referred to as satans, are blocked from reaching the 'Exalted Assembly' (listed in secondary Islamic literature as a group of angels with special knowledge) who they would steal information from. Stars with clear flames are thrown at them by the guardian angels, with the author seemingly conflating stars and meteors (''see: [[Scientific Errors in the Quran#Meteors as stars fired at devils]]''): | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|37|6-10}}|Indeed, We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment of stars And as protection against every rebellious devil [So] they may not listen to the exalted assembly [of angels] and are pelted from every side, Repelled; and for them is a constant punishment, Except one who snatches [some words] by theft, but they are pursued by a burning flame, piercing [in brightness].}}{{Quote|{{Quran|67|5}}|And verily We have beautified the world's heaven with lamps, and We have made them missiles for the devils, and for them We have prepared the doom of flame.}}{{Quote|{{Quran|15|6-18}}|And verily in the heaven we have set mansions of the stars, and We have beautified it for beholders. And We have guarded it from every outcast devil, save him who stealeth the hearing, and them doth a clear flame pursue.}}{{Quote|{{Quran|72|8-9}}|And we have sought [to reach] the heaven but found it filled with powerful guards and burning flames. And we used to sit therein in positions for hearing, but whoever listens now will find a burning flame lying in wait for him.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|37|6-10}}|Indeed, We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment of stars And as protection against every rebellious devil [So] they may not listen to the exalted assembly [of angels] and are pelted from every side, Repelled; and for them is a constant punishment, Except one who snatches [some words] by theft, but they are pursued by a burning flame, piercing [in brightness].}}{{Quote|{{Quran|67|5}}|And verily We have beautified the world's heaven with lamps, and We have made them missiles for the devils, and for them We have prepared the doom of flame.}}{{Quote|{{Quran|15|6-18}}|And verily in the heaven we have set mansions of the stars, and We have beautified it for beholders. And We have guarded it from every outcast devil, save him who stealeth the hearing, and them doth a clear flame pursue.}}{{Quote|{{Quran|72|8-9}}|And we have sought [to reach] the heaven but found it filled with powerful guards and burning flames. And we used to sit therein in positions for hearing, but whoever listens now will find a burning flame lying in wait for him.}} | ||
'''Madness and Possession''' | ==== '''Madness and Possession''' ==== | ||
Pre-Islamic Arab beliefs supported the claim of jinn possession: | Pre-Islamic Arab beliefs supported the claim of jinn possession: | ||
{{Quote|El-Zein, Dr Amira. Islam, Arabs, and the Intelligent World of the Jinn (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East) (p. 74). Syracuse University Press. |Pre-Islamic Arabs believed evil jinn bring madness upon people as well. In fact, the term majnun (possessed/mad/insane in Arabic) literally means “to be possessed by a jinni.” The terms jinn and majnun both are derived from the same linguistic root j-n-n.}} | {{Quote|El-Zein, Dr Amira. Islam, Arabs, and the Intelligent World of the Jinn (Contemporary Issues in the Middle East) (p. 74). Syracuse University Press. |Pre-Islamic Arabs believed evil jinn bring madness upon people as well. In fact, the term majnun (possessed/mad/insane in Arabic) literally means “to be possessed by a jinni.” The terms jinn and majnun both are derived from the same linguistic root j-n-n.}} | ||
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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]. | ||
==== '''Making people forgetful''' ==== | |||
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.”}} | |||
=== 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: | ||