Throughout history man has always had a deep attraction for the supernatural and the unseen. The existence of a world parallel to our own has always fascinated people. This world is commonly referred to as the spirit world, and almost every set of people have some concept of one. With some people, these spirits are no more than the souls of dead people – or ghosts. With others, spirits are either the forces of good or the forces of evil – both battling against one another to gain influence over humanity.
However, both of these explanations are more in tune with folk tales and fantasy. The true explanation of such a world comes from Islam. Like every other way, Islam also claims to explain this realm of the unseen. It is from this realm that Islam explains to us about the world of the Jinn. The Islamic explanation of the Jinn provides us with so many answers to modem day mysteries. Without the knowledge of this world, the Muslims would become like the non-Muslims and be running around looking for any old answer to come their way. So, who or what are the Jinn?
Existence
The Jinn are beings created with free will, living on earth in a world parallel to mankind. The Arabic word Jinn is from the verb ‘Janna’ which means to hide or conceal. Thus, they are physically invisible from man as their description suggests. This invisibility is one of the reasons why some people have denied their existence. However, (as will be seen) the effect which the world of the Jinn has upon our world, is enough to refute this modem denial of one of Allah’s creation. The origins of the Jinn can be traced from the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Allah says (which means):
“Indeed We created man from dried clay of black smooth mud. And We created the Jinn before that from the smokeless flame of fire” (Surah Al-Hijr 15:26-27)
Thus the Jinn were created before man. As for their physical origin, the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has confirmed the above verse when he said: “The Angels were created from light and the Jinn from smokeless fire”. It is this description of the Jinn which tells us so much about them. Because they were created from fire, their nature has generally been fiery and thus their relationship with man has been built upon this. Like humans, they too are required to worship Allah and follow Islam. Their purpose in life is exactly the same as ours, as Allah says (which means):
“I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me” (Surah Ad-Dhariyat 51:56)
Jinns can thus be Muslims or non-Muslims. However, due to their fiery nature the majority of them are non-Muslims. All these non-Muslim Jinns form a part of the army of the most famous Jinn, Iblis – the Shaytan [1]. Consequently, these disbelieving Jinns are also called Shaytans (devils). As for the Jinns who become Muslims, then the first of them did so in the time of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) when a group of them were amazed by the recitation of the Qur’an. Allah orders the Prophet to tell the people of this event:
“Say (O Muhammad): It has been revealed to me that a group of Jinn listened and said; ‘Indeed we have heard a marvellous Qur’an. It guides unto righteousness so we have believed in it, and we will never make partners with our Lord’” (Surah Al-Jinn 72:1-2)
In many aspects of their world, the Jinn are very similar to us. They eat and drink, they marry, have children and they die. The life span, however, is far greater than ours. Like us, they will also be subject to a Final Reckoning by Allah the Most High. They will be present with mankind on the Day of Judgment and will either go to Paradise or Hell.
Abilities
That which clearly distinguishes the Jinn from mankind are their powers and abilities. Allah has given them these powers as a test for them. If they oppress others with them, then they will be held accountable. By knowing of their powers, we can often make sense of much of the mysteries which go on around us. One of the powers of the Jinn is that they are able to take on any physical form they like. Thus, they can appear as humans, animals, trees and anything else.
Over the last few years the interest in the subject of aliens and UFO’s has become heightened. Thousands of people have sighted strange looking creatures all over the world. These sightings, however, have still not proven substantially that aliens exist. Rather – and it seems more plausible – all the sightings of such creatures were just Jinns parading in different forms.
The ability to possess and take over the minds and bodies of other creatures is also a power which the Jinn have utilised greatly over the centuries. This, however, is something which has been prohibited to them as it is a great oppression to possess another being. Human possession is something which has always brought about great attention. But the true knowledge of this subject is rare amongst the people.
Over the last five decades the subject of possession has become very commercialised. During the 1970’s films such as The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby were used to educate people about possession. However, because such institutions (the film industry) were heavily influenced by Christianity, knowledge of the subject was non-existent. Rather than educate people about Jinn possession, The Exorcist just tended to scare the living daylights out of us! Only through Islam can we understand such a phenomenon.
We know as Muslims, that Jinns possess people for many reasons. Sometimes it is because the Jinn or its family has been hurt accidentally. It could be because the Jinn has fallen in love with the person. However, most of the time possession occurs because the Jinn is simply malicious and wicked. For this reason we have been told by the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) not to loiter in those places where the Jinns reside, e.g. graveyards, ruins, deserts, marketplaces, etc. We have also been commanded to recite the Qur’an frequently in our houses as the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Indeed, the shaytan flees from the house in which Surah AI-Baqarah (the 2nd chapter of the Qur’an) is recited”.
If a person does become possessed, then the name of Allah has to be used in expelling the Jinn. If we look at the practice of the Prophet and his companions, we find many du’as (supplications) to exorcise the Jinn. All these du’as invoke Allah to help the possessed person. How contrary this is to many modern-day exorcists. Many exorcists, Muslim and non-Muslim, often invoke the names of others besides Allah to exorcise the Jinn [2].
When the Jinn does leave, these people believe that their way was successful. However, this is a ploy of the Jinn, as it knows that if it obeys the exorcist, then it has succeeded in making him worship others besides Allah i.e. commit shirk. The Jinn often returns when the exorcist leaves, as it knows that nothing except the words of Allah can stop it from oppressing others. It is not only humans which are possessed, but also animals, trees and other objects. By doing this, the evil Jinn hope to make people worship others besides Allah.
The Occult
Through their powers of flying and invisibility, the Jinn are the chief component in occult activities. Voodoo, Black magic, Poltergeists, Witchcraft and Mediums can all be explained through the world of the Jinn. Likewise, so can the illusions and feats of magicians. Because the Jinn can traverse huge distances over a matter of seconds, their value to magicians is great. In return for helping them in their magic, the Jinns often ask for the magicians to sell their souls to them and even to Iblis.
Thus the magicians take the Jinn and Iblis as lords besides Allah. In our day, some of the feats performed by magicians and entertainers are without doubt from the assistance of the Jinn.
One of the most frequent activities associated with the Jinn, is fortune-telling. Before the advent of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) fortune-tellers and soothsayers were widespread. These people would use their associates from the Jinn to find out about the future. The Jinns would go to the lowest heaven and listen to the Angels conversing amongst themselves about events of the future which they heard from Allah. The Jinns would then inform the fortune-tellers. This is why before the time of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) many fortune-tellers were very accurate in their predictions. However, upon the Prophet’s arrival the heavens were guarded intensely by the Angels, and any Jinn who tried to listen was attacked by meteors (shooting stars):
“And We have guarded it (the heavens) from every accursed devil, except one who is able to snatch a hearing and he is pursued by a brightly burning flame” (Surah Al-Hijr 15:18)
The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) also said: “They (the Jinn) would pass the information back down until it reaches the lips of a magician or fortune-teller Sometimes a meteor would overtake them before they could pass it on. If they passed it on before being struck, they would add to it a hundred lies”. Thus, it is clear from this as to how fortune-tellers get predictions of the future right. It is also evident as to why they get so many wrong.
Men like Nostradamus [3] are an example, as some of his predictions of the future were correct whilst many were completely wrong. Unfortunately, the amount of fortune-telling which occurs amongst the Muslims is also increasing.
Fortune-tellers also operate through the Qareen. The Qareen is the Jinn companion which is assigned to every human being. It is this Jinn which whispers to our base desires and constantly tries to divert us from righteousness. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “Everyone of you has been assigned a companion from the Jinn. The companions asked: Even you O’ Messenger of Allah? And the Prophet replied: Even me, except that Allah has helped me against him and he has submitted. Now he only tells me to do good”’.
Because the Qareen is with a person all his life, it knows all that has happened to the person from the cradle to the grave. By making contact with the Qareen, the fortune-teller is thus able to make out that it is he who knows about the person. He looks in his crystal ball or the palm of a person and proceeds to amaze him with knowledge which no one else knows. The severity of going to a fortune-teller is such that the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: “The prayer of one who approaches a fortune-teller and asks him about anything, will not be accepted for forty days or nights” and: “Whosoever approaches a fortune-teller and believes in what he says, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.”
The effects of the Jinn are not just limited to fortune-tellers. Other activities such as oujia boards and seances, which are used to contact the dead, are manipulated by the Jinn. ‘Are you there Charlie? Speak to us Charlie!!’ are the sort of words spoken by anxious relatives (names are obviously different!) seeking to make contact with their loved ones. And it is when the Jinn starts to talk and communicate as ‘Charlie’, that the people are truly fooled [4].
One of the biggest manipulations of the Jinn is through visions. Through these visions the Jinns are more likely to lead people away from the worship of Allah than any other way. When a person sees a vision in front of his eyes it is something which is very hard to explain away. Only by having knowledge of the world of the Jinn and conviction in Allah, can a person fight such a trial. The countless numbers of visions of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary over the centuries has been a popular choice for the devils. It almost seems as if leading Christians astray is the most easiest trick for the Jinns! Not only are Christians fooled by these visions, but often the Jinns possess and begin to talk from their voices. To the Christians this is known as the tongues of the Angels and thus a proof for their faith. However, the amount of unintelligible nonsense which is heard is a clear proof that this is in fact the tongues of the devils! For other people, visions of their parents or relatives are commonplace. By taking on the form of peoples parents, the Jinns can convince people that the souls of dead people still mix with the people of the earth. This is why so many people believe in ghosts.
The onslaught of satanic visions has also hit the Muslims. Many Muslims claim to have seen visions of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and even Allah! By doing this, Shaytan is able to lead astray the weak Muslims. Through such visions, Muslims are often told that the commands of Islam are not applicable to them. The Jinns tell them that Prayer, Fasting, Haj, etc. are not obligatory for them. It is a great deception and unfortunately one which has been very effective. The extent of satanic visions still continues to this day. Such visions are clear attempts by Iblis to lead mankind away from the path of Allah [5].
The world of the Jinn is one which is both sinister and intriguing. By knowing of this world we can explain many of the mysteries and issues which bother us. By doing this we can avoid the extremes which the people have gone to; nothing being more extreme than worshipping others besides Allah. By learning the Tawheed of Allah, we defend ourselves from these hidden allies of Iblis:
“Indeed he (Iblis) and his tribe watch you from a position where you cannot see them” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:27)
Maybe, there is a Jinn sitting in the corner of your room right now, or even one behind you. If so, then how will you deal with this creation of Allah? Learn Islam properly and you will be able to deal with all of Allah’s creation – and not just the Jinn. By becoming true Muslims and followers of Islam, the fear of Iblis, Jinns and anything else will leave us – nothing will touch the Believer unless Allah wills.
Footnotes
1 It must be remembered that Iblis is a Jinn and not an Angel. The concept of the Devil being a fallen Angel is from Christianity and not Islam.
2 Whilst Christians invoke the name of Jesus, many Muslims invoke the name of pious Muslim saints! The rituals which are conducted by many Muslims are more akin to voodoo than the exorcism practised by the Prophet and his companions!!
3 Michel de Nostradamus was a famous French soothsayer of the 16th century.
4 Ouija boards are so misleading, that people have even managed to get in touch with the spirit of Jack the Ripper!!
5 An informative book on the world of the Jinn is Ibn Taymeeyah’s Essay on the Jinn translated by Abu Ameenah Bilal Phillips.
Remember the rich rewards for virtuous deeds
Allah The Almighty repeatedly reminds us to perform various virtuous deeds. He Says (what means): {“Race with one another in hastening towards forgiveness from your Lord.”} [Qur’an, 57: 21].
Shaykh ibn As-Sa’di, may Allah have mercy upon him, said, commenting on this, “One who hastens towards virtuous deeds during his life will therefore also hasten to enter Paradise in the Hereafter.”
However, forgetfulness is a trait that is inherent in human beings, which leads to neglecting virtuous deeds and weakens their effect. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“And indeed We made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We found on his part no firm willpower”} [Qur’an, 20: 115]
Remembering the reward for performing these deeds is one of the most successful ways of treating laziness and encourages people to perform them. For example, a person is encouraged not to belittle even the smallest good deed, when one reads the saying of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention): “I saw a man enjoying Paradise as a result of a tree he cut, which was in people’s way and harming them.” [Muslim].
Attending the assemblies of knowledge with virtuous Muslims also encourages one to perform virtuous deeds, or continue performing them. It reminds the Muslim of his Lord, fosters a sense of competition and keeps the heart occupied with virtuous thoughts. A believer is stronger when he is with a group of virtuous people, and he becomes more enthused to utilise his time and take advantage of his life, in obedience to Allah The Almighty.
Incentives to perform good deeds
1. Visiting charitable and humanitarian organisations encourages a Muslim to perform virtuous deeds.
2. Remembering that competing in performing virtuous deeds is one of the qualities of the true believers, as Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“So, We answered his call, and We bestowed upon him Yahyaa, and cured his wife (to bear a child) for him. Verily, they used to hasten on to do good deeds, and they used to call on Us with hope and fear.”} [Qur’an, 21: 90]. This is also one of the characteristics of angels, as Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“And by those that press forward as in a race (angels).”} [Qur’an, 79: 4] Mujaahid, may Allah have mercy upon him, commented on this by saying, “This refers to the angels when they defeated the son of Adam in the performance of virtuous deeds.”
3. Learning about how much our pious predecessors would cry whenever they missed out on a chance to perform virtuous deeds. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The people of Paradise do not regret anything more than regretting an hour they spent (in this life) without mentioning Allah.” [Tabaraani]
Sa’eed At-Tanookhi, may Allah have mercy upon him, used to cry if for any reason he had missed a congregational prayer. Ibn Mas’ood, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I never regretted anything more than regretting a day which passed in which I did not increase (upon) my virtuous deeds.
4. Remembering that life is short makes a Muslim exert extra effort in performing virtuous deeds; the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Rush towards the performance of virtuous deeds before you are afflicted with trials as dark as the night.” [Muslim].
5. Reading books that soften the heart, mention virtuous deeds and encourage people to perform them.
6. Knowing that encouraging others entitles you to the same reward as theirs, as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “He who revives a deed from Islam (which people forgot or abandoned) gets the same reward as the one who (subsequently) performs it.” [Muslim]
7. Loving those who perform virtuous deeds, because the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “A person will be (on the Day of Resurrection) with those whom he loves (in life).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
8. Knowing how eager our pious predecessors were in performing virtuous deeds. Competing in performing virtuous deeds was an intrinsic quality of the Companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said regarding Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him: “Whenever we competed to perform virtuous deeds, Abu Bakr would win.”
One should always supplicate to Allah The Almighty to enable him to perform good deeds and facilitate them for him, because performing virtuous deeds is a gift from Allah The Almighty which He grants to whomever He wishes from amongst His slaves. Humaam ibn al-Haarith, may Allah have mercy upon him, used to supplicate saying, “O Allah! Make me satisfied with little sleep and grant me (the ability of) staying up during the night performing acts of obedience to you” and he would sleep very little, while sitting down.
Performing virtuous deeds is one of the main duties for Muslims in this life, as Allah commands by saying what means: {“O you who have believed! Bow down, and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord and do good, that you may be successful.”} [Qur’an, 24: 77]
Performing virtuous deeds is also included in the saying of Allah The Almighty (which means): {“…Help you one another in virtue, righteousness and piety; but do not help one another in sin and transgression…”} [Qur’an, 5: 2]
Performing virtuous deeds is an important component of the propagation of Islam, which is not restricted to delivering lectures or talks, or publishing books. Behaving virtuously and helping others endears one to people and opens the hearts and minds of others, who would then listen attentively to what one says.
Similarly, there are many Ahadith (narrations) from the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, addressing this issue, such as the following:
l “Rush towards the performance of virtuous deeds.” [Muslim].
l “He who leads others to virtue gets the same reward as the one performing it.” [Muslim].
l “O people! Spread (the greeting of) Salaam, feed the needy, and pray at night while people are sleeping, and you will (therefore) enter into Paradise peacefully.” [At-Tirmithi].
l “He who calls others to guidance will get the same reward as those who follow guidance.” [Muslim].
Incentives to performing good deeds
1. Having your mind and heart constantly occupied with these deeds and having a sincere intention, because, with sincerity, a slave reaches high ranks, and it also acts as an encouraging factor to perform the deed.
2. Knowing that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, used to ask Allah The Almighty to enable him to perform virtuous deeds saying: “O Allah! I ask You to enable me to perform virtuous deeds and (for) the abandonment of sins.” [At-Tirmithi]. It is known that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, would only supplicate with what Allah The Almighty loves.
3. Remembering Paradise and its pleasures, and what has been prepared for the people of virtue there. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“And march forth in the way (leading to) forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the heavens and the earth.”} [Qur’an, 3: 133]
4. Knowing that performing virtuous deeds results in other people loving him, even after his death. The believers are witnesses on earth as Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “A funeral passed by us and people praised the deceased, so the Prophet, sallallaahau ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: ‘It has become mandatory.’ Then another one passed and people spoke of how bad the deceased was, so the Prophet said: ‘It has become mandatory.’ So ‘Umar asked about his comments on the two funerals, and the Prophet replied: ‘You praised the first one so Paradise became mandatory for him, and you dispraised the second one so Hell became mandatory for him; you are the witnesses of Allah on earth.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
5. Realising that the longer virtuous people live, the more beloved to Allah The Almighty they become, as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said when he was asked about the best people in the sight of Allah The Almighty: “He who lives long and performs virtuous deeds.” [At-Tirmithi], because such a person utilised his life in virtuous deeds and was obedient to Allah The Almighty.
6. Knowing that being steadfast in performing virtuous deeds is beloved to Allah The Almighty even if the deeds are little in number, as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those which are persistent, even if they are little (in number).”
