The World of Jinns and Devils
Veiled in mystery and shrouded in ancient lore, jinns occupy a realm where the supernatural intertwines with human imagination.
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What is a Jinn?
A Jinn is a supernatural being from Islamic theology and pre-Islamic Arabian folklore, created from smokeless fire. They possess free will, similar to humans, allowing them to choose between good and evil. Jinns exist in a parallel, unseen realm but can interact with the human world, often influencing it in mysterious ways. They are mentioned in the Qur'an as one of God's creations alongside humans and angels, with unique abilities like shape-shifting and invisibility.
Creatures of Allah
The Qur'an mentions several types of creatures created by Allah, each with unique characteristics and roles in the universe. They can be broadly categorised into 4 types of living beings.
1. Humans (Insan)
Created from a mixture of water and dust. They have a physical body and possess free will and are tested in life. Distinguished by their intellect and responsibility to worship Allah.
Examples: Adam, the first human, and his progeny.
2. Angels (Mala'ika)
Created from light. Pure and obedient, no physical body with no free will. Serve Allah by fulfilling specific duties, such as delivering messages (e.g., Jibreel/Gabriel), recording deeds, and managing natural elements.
3. Jinn
Created from smokeless fire. No physical body but possess free will, like humans. Exist in an unseen realm and can be good or evil.
Example: Iblis (Satan), who refused to bow to Adam.
4. Animals, Plants, Birds and Insects
Created to inhabit the earth and serve various purposes for humankind. They too have a physical body but possess no free will in a philosophical sense. They act on their whims and desires to grow and survive on this planet and they have no moral obligation. Mentioned as signs of Allah’s creation and evidence of His power.
Examples: The she-camel of Prophet Salih, the hoopoe of Prophet Sulaiman, and the dog of the People of the Cave.
Belief in Jinns
As a Muslim it is mandatory to believe in the existence of Jinns. It's an article of faith in Islam. Rejecting the existence of Jinns like Angels will be considered a major Kufr(Disbelief) in Islam and it'll nullify your religion. There is no ground for rejecting the existence of Angels and Jinns in Islam because there are various verses mentioned in the Quran talking about these creatures. There's a whole chapter(Surah) mentioned in the Quran talking about Jinns(e.g., Surah Al-Jinn) and their interaction with Quran and its recitation. According to Quran disbelief in any verse of the Quran nullifies your religion as well as rejecting any parts of the religion while accepting some others. Nitpicking your belief according to your desires also takes you out of the fold of Islam.
Proof from the Quran
This is Surah Al-Jinn(Ch-72) of the Quran briefly mentioning the interaction of Jinns with the Quran where they listen to its recitation and accept its truth, rejecting polytheism. The surah highlights that jinn, like humans, have free will to choose belief or disbelief, and they acknowledge Allah's authority over the heavens and earth. It emphasizes the importance of worshiping only Allah, warns against associating partners with Him, and affirms the protection of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Qur'an from harm. The surah concludes with a reminder of Allah's omniscience and the Day of Judgment.


This is Surah Al-Baqarah (2:208) where Allah calls on believers to fully embrace Islam, accepting all aspects of Allah’s guidance without selective adherence. It warns against following Satan's subtle influences, which aim to lead people astray by promoting disobedience or partial faith. The verse emphasizes that true submission to Allah involves a complete commitment to His commands in every aspect of life, while remaining vigilant against Satan’s attempts to mislead.




In this Surah Al-Baqarah (2:85) Allah addresses those who selectively follow parts of divine revelation while disregarding others, particularly referring to the Children of Israel. The verse highlights their inconsistency, as they upheld certain commandments, like enforcing justice and freeing captives, but violated others, such as engaging in internal conflict and expelling one another from their homes.
Allah rebukes this selective approach to faith, stating that such behavior amounts to partial belief and partial disbelief. The verse warns that this hypocrisy will result in disgrace and humiliation in this world and severe punishment in the Hereafter. It underscores the principle that true faith requires complete acceptance and adherence to all aspects of Allah’s guidance.


Surah An-Nisa (4:152) shows similar importance of accepting all parts of the faith it highlights the qualities of true believers who affirm their faith in Allah and His messengers without making distinctions or rejecting any of them. Unlike those who believe in some prophets and reject others, these believers accept all messengers equally, recognizing that they are all sent by Allah with the same core message of monotheism and submission. It contrasts their complete faith with the hypocrisy of those who practice selective belief, reinforcing the importance of embracing all aspects of divine guidance to achieve ultimate success in the Hereafter.
Types of Jinns
There are many types of Jinns mentioned in the Quran and Hadith, categorized by their characteristics, abilities, and behaviors. Based on Islamic teachings, here are the main types of jinn described:
1. General Jinn
The Qur'an refers to jinn as a creation made from smokeless fire (Surah Al-Hijr 15:27). They are beings with free will, similar to humans, and they can choose to believe or disbelieve.
2. Believing and Disbelieving Jinn
The Qur'an differentiates between righteous jinn who submit to Allah and disobedient ones who reject faith.
Surah Al-Jinn (72:11): "And among us are the righteous, and among us are [others] not so; we were [of] divided ways."
3. Iblis (Satan) and His Followers
Iblis, the leader of the disbelieving jinn, refused to bow to Adam out of arrogance (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:34). His followers are referred to as devils (shayateen), who mislead humans and other jinn.
4. Shayateen (Devils)
A subset of jinn who are inherently evil and work to lead humans astray. They are mentioned frequently in the Qur'an as the enemies of mankind (Surah An-Nas 114:4-6).
5. Ifrit
A powerful and cunning type of jinn mentioned in Surah An-Naml (27:39) during the story of Prophet Sulaiman. An ‘Ifrit offered to bring the throne of the Queen of Sheba in the blink of an eye.
6. Ghoul (Ghul)
In Hadith, ghouls are described as a type of jinn that can shapeshift and deceive travelers, often appearing in terrifying forms.
Classification of Jinns in Hadith
A narration by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) categorizes jinn into three groups:
Flying Jinn: Those who move through the air.
Earthbound Jinn: Those who live on the earth, such as animals or spirits dwelling in ruins.
Shapeshifting Jinn: Those who can take on different forms, such as snakes, dogs, or humans.
Reference: Sharhu Mushkilil Athar, Hadith: 2941, Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 6156, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 2 pg. 456
Jinns in the Quran
The very first mention of the Jinn in Quran is in Surah Al-Baqarah(2:34) where Allah tells angels to prostrate to Adam but Iblis who's later revealed to be a Jinn in Surah Al-Kahf(18:50) refused to prostrate to Adam in arrogance.




Iblees
Iblees/Iblis is the name of the Jinn who was commanded by Allah to prostrate before Adam, but he refused out of arrogance, believing he was superior to Adam. As a result, he was expelled from paradise and cursed by Allah. Iblis then became the enemy of humans, vowing to lead them astray from Allah's path. He embodies pride and disobedience, and his mission is to tempt and misguide humans into sin.
Shaytan
Shayṭān is the title given to Iblis after his rebellion against Allah in Surah Al-Araaf(7:22). The word Shayṭān (شيطان) in Arabic is derived from the root word "شطن" (shaṭan), which means "to be distant" or "to be rebellious". Thus, Shayṭān refers to one who is distant from Allah's mercy and rebellious against divine guidance.
In a broader sense, Shayṭān is used to describe any being, human or Jinn, who leads others away from the path of righteousness and incites disobedience to Allah. It is most commonly associated with Iblis, the Jinn who became the enemy of humanity after refusing to prostrate to Adam.
Shayateen (Devils)
Shayāṭīn are evil beings, both Jinn and humans, who seek to lead others astray from Allah’s guidance. The Shayāṭīn from Jinn include Iblis and his followers, while the Shayāṭīn from humans are individuals who spread corruption and lead others to sin. Both groups are embodiments of misguidance and rebellion against divine truth.


Qareen
In the Quran, a Qarīn is a companion assigned to every human, often interpreted as a devil (Shayṭān). The Qarīn's role is to tempt and mislead the person, encouraging them to sin. On the Day of Judgment, the Qarīn will testify that they did not cause the person to transgress, but that the person chose to follow their own desires.




Powers of a Jinn
The Quran mentions several powers and attributes of jinn, highlighting both their abilities and their limitations. Here are some of the key powers of jinn as described in the Quran:
1. Ability to Move Quickly and Travel Long Distances
In Surah Al-Saffat (27:38-40), it is mentioned that jinn can travel long distances in an instant. Jinn are depicted as having the ability to move between the heavens and the earth, travelling at great speed.
2. Ability to Shape-Shift
Jinn have the ability to assume various forms, including that of animals or humans. While not explicitly detailed in the Quran, this ability is often inferred in Islamic tradition. In Surah Al-Jinn (72:6), it says “And there were men from mankind who sought refuge in men from the jinn, so they increased them in wrongdoing.” This shows that jinn can interact with humans in various ways, including through disguised forms.
3. Ability to Possess or Influence Humans (Whispering)
The Quran mentions that jinn can influence the minds of humans through whisperings and evil suggestions, particularly in Surah Al-Jinn (72:6) and Surah An-Nas (114:4-6): "From the evil whisperer who withdraws." Jinn’s influence is subtle and often described as whispers that lead people away from righteousness.
4. Ability to Move Heavy Objects
In Surah An-Naml (27:38-40), it is mentioned that jinn can perform tasks that are difficult or impossible for humans: "One who had knowledge from the Scripture said, 'I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you.' So when Solomon saw it placed firmly before him, he said, 'This is by the grace of my Lord!'." This refers to the jinn who helped Prophet Solomon (Sulaiman) bring the throne of the Queen of Sheba.


5. Ability to Enter the Heavens and Listen to Divine Secrets
In Surah Al-Jinn (72:8-9), it is mentioned that some jinn used to listen to the heavenly discussions before the revelation of the Quran: “And we used to sit there in positions for hearing, but whoever listens now will find a burning fire waiting for him.” However, after the Quran’s revelation, this access was blocked by the angels, and now the jinn are unable to listen to such matters.
6. Ability to Affect Physical and Mental Health
Jinn are often believed to have the ability to affect a person’s health, leading to physical or mental illness. While this is more of a belief based on hadith and Islamic tradition rather than direct Quranic mention, some interpretations suggest that jinn can influence the well-being of humans through their powers such as in Surah Al-Baqarah(2:275) where a Jinn's touch leads to insanity.
7. Ability to Serve Prophets (e.g., Prophet Solomon)
Jinn were known to serve Prophet Solomon (Sulaiman), as shown in Surah An-Naml (27:39), where they helped him carry out tasks like building structures and gathering resources: "And of the devils, some dived for him, doing other work besides that..." (38:39)
8. Diversity in Nature and Habits
Jinn are described as having different temperaments and ways of life. Some are evil and rebellious, like Iblis, while others are righteous. In Surah Al-Jinn (72:11), it is noted: "And of us are some that are righteous, and of us are some that are otherwise. We were sects, having different ways."


Jinn's Purpose in Life
Allah created mankind and jinn to worship Him but they disobeyed Allah due to the gift of free will given to them. Both humans and jinn are created with the ability to choose between obedience and disobedience, belief and disbelief. This freedom is a central aspect of their creation, as Allah intended for them to be tested through their choices and actions Quran (18:29): "And say, 'The truth is from your Lord. So whoever wills – let him believe; and whoever wills – let him disbelieve.'"


Iblis (Shaytan's Promise)


Shaytan's Targets
1. Those Who Reject Faith (Disbelievers)
Shaytan works to mislead those who reject belief in Allah and the truth. Disbelievers are seen as more susceptible to Shaytan's influence because they do not seek guidance from Allah.
Quran (4:60): "Have you not seen those who claim to have believed in what was revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you? They wish to refer to Taghut (false gods) for judgment, while they were commanded to reject it; and Satan wishes to lead them far astray."
2. The Arrogant and Proud
People who are arrogant and prideful, like Iblis (Satan) himself, are led astray by Shaytan. Those who have too much pride to submit to Allah are vulnerable to his influence.
Quran (7:12-13): "[Allah] said, 'What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?' [Iblis] said, 'I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay.'"
3. The Hypocrites
Those who outwardly profess faith but inwardly harbor disbelief or insincerity are targets of Shaytan’s whisperings. Hypocrites are described as being led astray by Shaytan because of their internal contradictions.
Quran (4:60): "Have you not seen those who claim to have believed in what was revealed to you... They wish to refer to Taghut for judgment, while they were commanded to reject it; and Satan wishes to lead them far astray."
4. The Unjust and Corrupt
People who act unjustly and corruptly, committing oppression and wrong, are easily led astray by Shaytan. Their behavior makes them more prone to his influence.
Quran (17:60): "And when We said to you, 'Indeed, your Lord has encompassed [everything],' and We did not make the vision which We showed you except as a trial for the people, as well as the cursed tree in the Quran..."
5. Those Who Follow Their Desires
People who live by their base desires and instincts, disregarding Allah's guidance, are led astray by Shaytan. Their unchecked desires create an opening for Shaytan to influence them.
Quran (25:43): "Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him?"
6. The Neglectful (those who forget Allah)
Shaytan leads astray people who forget Allah or fail to remember Him in their daily lives. Those who are heedless or inattentive to the divine guidance and worship are more susceptible to Shaytan's influence.
Quran (7:201): "Indeed, those who fear Allah – when an impulse from Satan touches them, they remember Him and at once have insight."
7. The Lovers of This World
People who are overly attached to worldly pleasures and materialism are misled by Shaytan, who distracts them from the remembrance of Allah and the pursuit of the hereafter.
Quran (57:20): "Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children..."
8. The Idolaters (Those Who Worship False Gods)
Those who worship idols or other deities besides Allah are among those whom Shaytan misguides, as he leads them into the worship of false gods and away from the truth of monotheism.
Quran (22:4): "He [Shaytan] had promised them and had aroused in them false hopes, and they were not promised except delusion."
9. The Weak-Minded or Easily Deceived
People who are weak in their understanding, easily deceived, or lack conviction in their faith can be led astray by Shaytan. They may be swayed by temptation or misguidance.
Quran (7:16-17): *"[Iblis] said, 'Because You have put me in error, I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path.'"
10. The Lovers of Innovation (Bid'ah)
Shaytan also leads people astray who introduce innovations (bid'ah) into the religion, making them follow practices not ordained by Allah or the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Quran (7:28): "And when they commit an immorality, they say, 'We found our forefathers doing it, and Allah has commanded us to do it.'"
11. Those Who Are Involved in Magic and Sorcery
People who engage in sorcery, magic, or occult practices are led astray by Shaytan, as these practices are considered to be influenced or encouraged by him.
Quran (2:102): "They followed what the devils recited during the reign of Solomon. It was not Solomon who disbelieved, but the devils disbelieved, teaching people magic."
12. The Liars
People who lie a lot. They hear whatever is passed on to them and spead it without verifying to create mischief in society.
Quran 26:221-223 explains that Shayatin (devils) descend upon sinful liars, spreading falsehood and misleading others. They have no access to divine guidance and only influence those predisposed to evil. This highlights the purity of true revelation and warns against following false prophets and deceivers.


Jinn's food


Jinn consume different types of food depending on their nature. Believing jinn eat clean and halal substances, such as bones from food over which Allah’s name has been mentioned, as described in a Hadith in Sahih Muslim. Dung is considered food for the animals of jinn. Disbelieving jinn, on the other hand, are believed to eat impure and haram items, such as filth, blood, and food not consecrated in Allah's name. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised humans not to use bones or dung for cleaning, as they are provisions for the jinn. Additionally, jinn may consume the remnants of human food if Allah’s name is invoked over it, but they avoid it when this is neglected.
Protection from Jinn
Islam provides several methods for protection from jinn and their influence, emphasizing remembrance of Allah and adherence to Islamic teachings. Below are key practices based on the Quran and Sunnah:
1. Recitation of the Quran
Regular recitation of specific Quranic chapters and verses is highly effective for protection:
Surah Al-Fatihah (1:1-7): The opening chapter for general blessings and protection.
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:255): Ayat Al-Kursi (The Verse of the Throne).
Hadith: "Whoever recites Ayat Al-Kursi at night, Allah will send a guardian to protect him, and no devil will come near him until morning." (Sahih Bukhari)
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:285-286): Last two verses of the chapter.
Surah Al-Ikhlas (112), Al-Falaq (113), and An-Nas (114): Known as the Mu’awwidhatayn, they are recited for seeking refuge from evil and harmful influences.
2. Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)
Regularly saying "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah) before eating, entering the house, or beginning any action.
Reciting "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil) to ward off evil whispers.
3. Morning and Evening Supplications
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised reciting morning and evening adhkar (supplications) for daily protection.
Example: "In the name of Allah, with whose name nothing on earth or in heaven can harm, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing." (Sunan Abu Dawood)
4. Cleanliness and Avoiding Unclean Places
Keeping oneself and one's surroundings clean deters jinn, as they are attracted to filth and impurity.
Avoiding places frequented by jinn, such as bathrooms and deserted areas.
5. Avoiding Actions That Invite Jinn
Not throwing food scraps or bones without saying Bismillah over them, as they are sustenance for jinn.
Avoiding practices like sorcery, fortune-telling, or rituals that may invite interaction with jinn.
6. Seeking Refuge Before Entering Certain Places
Before entering a bathroom or deserted area, recite:
"Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min al-khubuthi wal-khaba'ith" (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from male and female devils). (Sahih Bukhari)
7. Tawakkul (Trust in Allah)
Trusting Allah and maintaining a strong connection with Him through prayer, fasting, and good deeds strengthens a person against jinn influence.
8. Exorcism (Ruqyah)
If one believes they are afflicted by a jinn, reciting Quranic verses and prophetic supplications (ruqyah) can help. Surah Al-Falaq and An-Nas are often recited for this purpose.
Seeking assistance from a knowledgeable and pious person to perform ruqyah is also permissible.


Special type of Jinns
1. Kinzab
Kinzab (or Khinzab) is a devil mentioned in Hadiths whose purpose is to distract Muslims during prayer by whispering doubts and causing forgetfulness. To counter his influence, believers are encouraged to seek refuge in Allah, practice mindfulness, and use the prophetic method of dry spitting.
2. Marid (Rebellious Jinn)
Marid are known for their arrogance and rebellious nature. They are powerful and often associated with causing significant harm or mischief. They are mentioned in Islamic traditions as being harder to control or defeat compared to other jinn.
3. Hinn
Hinn are mentioned in some Islamic traditions as a type of jinn that live in desolate places and have limited interaction with humans. They are considered weaker than other jinn.
4. Nasnas
A creature mentioned in folklore as a half-formed jinn or hybrid. It is said to resemble half of a human body and is known for frightening people. According to Edward Lane, the 19th century translator of The Thousand and One Nights, a nasnas is "half a human being; having half a head, half a body, one arm, one leg, with which it hops with much agility".
5. Al-Jathoom
Al-Jathoom is also the name of a jinn that is said to cause nightmares. Al-Jathoom is also known as Kabous or Al-Kabus, and is said to possess a human while they are asleep and sit on their chest. Al-Jathoom is said to be a member of a race of jinn that cause humans to experience trauma, ailments, and nightmares. (Lisan al-‘Arab, 12/83)
Dwelling Places of 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 Allah be upon him) taught us to take precautions when entering such places, by reciting the adhkar (words of remembrance) prescribed in Islam. One of these was reported by Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) entered the toilet, he would say, Allahumma innee a'udhu bika min al-khubuthi wal-khabaith (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the evil ones, male and female).
(Reported by al-Bukhari, 142; and Muslim, 375). Al-Khattabi explained that khubuth is the plural of khabith (evil or dirty masculine form), and khabaith is the plural of khabithah (evil or dirty feminine form), and that what is meant is male and female shayatin.





