The World of the Jinn: Creation, Nature, and Interaction

The jinn are an unseen creation of Allah, made from smokeless fire, who share the earth with human beings. The Quran devotes an entire surah to them (Surah al-Jinn, 72) and mentions them in numerous other passages. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The angels were created from light, and the jinn were created from a smokeless flame of fire, and Adam was created from what has been described to you" (Sahih Muslim). Belief in the jinn is an essential part of Islamic creed, and the Quran and Sunnah provide clear guidance on their nature and our interaction with them.

Creation and Nature

The jinn were created before humanity. Allah says: "And We created the jinn before from scorching fire" (Quran 15:27). Iblis (Satan) is from among the jinn (Quran 18:50), not a fallen angel as in some other traditions, since angels cannot disobey Allah. Like humans, the jinn have free will, eat, drink, marry, reproduce, and die. They can be Muslim or non-Muslim: "And among us are Muslims and among us are the unjust" (Quran 72:14). They live in communities, have leaders, and inhabit places on earth, often preferring abandoned locations, ruins, bathrooms, and areas of filth. They can see humans but humans cannot ordinarily see them: "Indeed, he sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them" (Quran 7:27).

Types and Abilities

The jinn have various types and levels of ability. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The jinn are of three types: a type that flies in the air, a type that are snakes and dogs, and a type that stops for a rest then resumes its journey" (reported by al-Tabarani and graded hasan by some scholars). The Quran mentions that some jinn (referred to as ifrit) possess great strength: an ifrit of the jinn offered to bring the throne of the Queen of Sheba to Sulayman before he could rise from his seat (Quran 27:39). Jinn can take various physical forms, including human and animal shapes, though they cannot perfectly imitate a specific person.

Protection from Jinn and Shayatin

Islam provides comprehensive protection against the harm of jinn and shayatin (devils). The primary means include: reciting Ayat al-Kursi (Quran 2:255), which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said provides angelic protection throughout the night (Sahih al-Bukhari); the last two surahs of the Quran (al-Falaq and al-Nas), which are specifically for seeking refuge from invisible harm; the morning and evening adhkar (remembrances); saying "Bismillah" before entering the home, eating, and other activities; and maintaining regular prayer and remembrance of Allah. The Quran is the greatest protection: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that Shaytan flees from a house in which Surah al-Baqarah is recited (Sahih Muslim).

Sorcery, Fortune-Telling, and the Islamic Position

Islam strictly prohibits sorcery (sihr), fortune-telling (kahanah), and seeking the services of jinn. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and asks him about something, his prayers will not be accepted for forty nights" (Sahih Muslim). In another hadith: "Whoever goes to a soothsayer and believes what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad" (Musnad Ahmad). Sorcery is considered one of the seven destructive sins. The cure for affliction by jinn or sorcery is through the Quran (ruqyah shar'iyyah), supplication, and legitimate Islamic treatments, never through other sorcerers or practitioners who claim to use "good" jinn.