there is a purpose for their existence in this life, which is to
worship Allaah Alone, with no partner or associate. Almighty Allaah
Says (what means): "And I did not create the jinn and mankind except
to worship Me." [Quran 51:56] and also (what means): "O company of
jinn and mankind, did there not cometo you messengers from among you,
relating to you My verses …?" [Quran 6:130]
The world of the jinn is an independent and separate world, with its
own distinct nature and features that are hidden from the world of
humans. Jinn and humans have some things in common, such as the
possession of understanding and the choice between the way of good and
the way of evil. The word jinn comesfrom an Arabic root meaning
"hidden from sight". Allaah Says (what means): "… Indeed, he (Satan)
sees you, he and his tribe, from where you do not see them. …" [Quran
7:27]
Allaah has told us in the Noble Quran the essence from which the jinn
werecreated. He Says (what means): "And the jinn We created before
from scorching fire." [Quran 15:27]
And also (what means): "And He created the jinn from a smokeless flame
of fire." [Quran 55:15]
According to one prophetic narration that was narrated by 'Aa'ishah
the Prophet said: "The angels were created from light, the jinn were
created from fire, and Aadam was created from that which has been
described to you (soil)." [Muslim]
Types of jinn
Allaah, the Most Exalted, has created different types of jinn. Among
them are some that can take on different forms, such as dogs and
snakes; some who are like flying winds with wings; and some that can
travel and rest. The Messenger of Allaah said: "The jinn are of three
types: a type that has wings, they fly through the air; a type that
looks like snakes and dogs; and a type that stops for a rest then
resumes its journey." [At-Tabaraani and others]
The jinn and the Children of Aadam
Every individual among the Children of Aadam has a jinn who has been
appointed to be his constant companion (Qareen). Ibn Mas'ood said:
"The Messenger of Allaah said: "There is not one of you who does not
have a jinn appointed to be his constant companion." They (present
companions ) said: "And you too, O Messenger of Allaah?" He said: "And
me too, but Allaah has helped me and he has submitted (became a
believing Muslim), so that he only helps meto do good." [Muslim]
Their powers
Almighty Allaah has giventhe jinn powers that He has not given to
humans. He has told us about some of their powers, such as the ability
to move and travel quickly. A genie from among the jinn guaranteed to
the Prophet Sulaymaan (Solomon) that he would bring the throne of the
Queen of Yemen to Jerusalem in a moment faster than that needed for a
man to get up from where he was sitting. Allaah says (what means): "A
powerful one from among thejinn said, "I will bring it to you before
you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this [task] strong and
trustworthy." Said one who had knowledge from the Scripture, "I will
bring it to you before your glance returns toyou." And when [Solomon]
saw itplaced before him, he said, "This is from the favor of my Lord
..." [Quran 27:39-40]
The food and drink of the jinn
The jinn eat and drink. Ibn Mas'ood said: "TheMessenger of Allaah
said: " One the jinn called me, and I went with him and recited Quran
for them.' He took me and showed me the traces of where they had been
and the traces of their fires. They (his fellow jinn) asked him for
food and he said:"You can have every bone on which the name of Allaah
has been mentioned that comes into your possession, as meat, and all
the droppings as food for your animals." The Prophet said,"So do not
use [these things] for cleaning yourselves [after relieving oneself],
for they are thefood and provision of your brothers.'" [Muslim]
The believing jinn may eat any bone on which the name of Allaah has
been mentioned, because the Messenger did not permit them to have
anything on which Allaah's name has not been mentioned - those are for
the disbelievers among the jinn.
The beasts of the jinn
According to the narration that was narrated by Ibn Mas'ood that we
have quoted above, the jinn asked theMessenger for provision, and he
said to them: "…and [you can have] all the droppings as food for your
animals."
The dwelling-places of the jinn
The jinn live on this earthwhere we do. They are mostly to be found in
ruins and unclean places like bathrooms, dunghills, garbage dumps and
graveyards. Hence, the Prophet taught us to take precautions when
entering such places, by reciting the Athkaar (supplications)
prescribed by Islam. One of these was reported by Anas Ibn Maalik who
said: "When the Messenger of Allaah used to relieve himself, he would
say: "Allaahumma inni a'oothu bika min al-khubuthiwa'l-khabaa'ith (O
Allaah, I seek refuge with You from the evil ones, male and female).'"
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