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The World of the Jinn and Devils

Excerpts from the book`Aalam al-Jinn wa`l-Shayaateen by `Umar Sulaymaan Al-Ashqar
English title "The World of the Jinn and Devils in the Light of the Qur`aan and Sunnah" published as Vol. 3 of the Islamic Creed Series by the International Islamic Publishing House, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Types of jinn

Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has created different types of jinn. Among them are some who can take on different forms, such as dogs and snakes; some who are like flying winds with wings; and some who can travel and rest. Aboo Tha`labah al-Khushani said: "The Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu `alayhi wa sallam said: 'The jinn are of three types: a types that has wings, and 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." (Reported by al-Tahhaawi in Mushkil al-Athaar, 4/95, and by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer, 22/214. Shaykh al-Albaanee said in al-Mishkaat (2/1206, no. 4148): al-Tahhaawi and Aboo'l-Shaykh reported it with a saheeh isnaad).

The jinn and the sons of Aadam

Every individual among the sons of Aadam `alayhissalaam has a jinn who has been appointed to be his constant companion (qareen). Ibn Mas'ood said: "The Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, 'There is not one of you who does not have a jinn appointed to be his constant companion.' They said, 'And you too, O Messenger of Allaah?' He said, 'Me too, but Allaah has helped me and he has submitted, so that he only helps me to do good.'" (Reported by Muslim, 2814). Al-Nawawi said in his commentary on Muslim (17/175): "'He has submitted' . he became a believing Muslim. This is the apparent meaning. Al-Qaadi said: Know that the ummah is agreed upon the fact that the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam was protected from Shaytaan, physically and mentally, and with regard to his speech. This hadeeth contains a reference to the warning against the fitnah (temptation, trial) and whispers of the qareen (constant companion from among the jinn). We know that he is with us so we should beware of him as much as possible."

Their powers

Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has given the jinn powers that he has not given to humans. Allaah has told us about some of their powers, such as the ability to move and travel quickly. An 'ifreet from among the jinn guaranteed to the Prophet Sulaymaan `alayhissalaam 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 Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says (interpretation of the meaning):

"An `ifreet (strong one) from the jinns said: 'I will bring it [her throne] to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed strong, and trustworthy for such work.' One with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: 'I will bring it to you within the twinkling of an eye!' - then when Sulaymaan saw it placed before him, he said, 'This is by the Grace of my Lord.'" (al-Naml 27:39-40).

The food and drink of the jinn

The jinn eat and drink. Ibn Mas`ood narrated: "The Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said: 'Someone from among the jinn called me, and I went with him and recited Qur`aan for them.' He took us and showed us the traces of where they had been and the traces of their fires. They 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 sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, 'So do not use [these things] for cleaning yourselves [after relieving oneself], for they are the food and provision of your brothers.'" (Reported by Muslim, 450). According to another report: "A delegation of jinn from Naseebeen came to me, and what good jinn they are! They asked me for food and I prayed to Allaah for them, so that they would not pass by bones or droppings, but they would find food on them." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 3571). The believing jinn may eat any bone on which the name of Allaah has been mentioned, because the Messenger sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam did not permit them to have anything on which Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala's name has not been mentioned - those are for the kuffaar among the jinn.

The beasts of the jinn

According to the hadeeth narrated by Ibn Mas'ood, quoted above, the jinn asked the Messenger sall Allaahu'alayhi wa sallam 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 earth where we do. They are mostly to be found in ruins and unclean places like bathrooms/toilets, dunghills, garbage dumps and graveyards. Hence the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam taught us to take precautions when entering such places, by reciting the adhkaar (prayers) prescribed by Islam. One of these was reported by Anas ibn Maalik radhiallaahu`anhu, who said: "When the Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam entered the toilet, he would say, 'Allaahumma innee a'oodhu bika min al-khubuthi wa'l-khabaa'ith (O Allaah, I seek refuge with You from the evil ones, male and female).'" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 142; and Muslim, 375). Al-Khattaabi explained that khubuth is the plural of khabeeth (evil or dirty - masculine form), and khabaa'ith is the plural of khabeethah (evil or dirty - feminine form), and that what is meant is male and female shayaateen. This was also narrated by Aboo Dawood, 6; classed as saheeh by al-Albaanee in Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Saheehah, 1070.

With regard to the phrase al-khubthi wa'l-kabaa'ith (translated above as "male and female devils"), it has been suggested that al-khubth may mean evil and al-khabaa'ith may mean evil spirits, which includes both male and female devils.

Some jinns are Muslims and some are kaafirs

Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala tells us that some of the jinn said (interpretation of the meaning):

" 'And some of us are Muslims, and of us some are al-qaasitoon (disbelievers - those who have deviated from the Right Path). And whosoever has embraced Islam, then such have sought the Right Path. And as for the qaasitoon, they shall be firewood for Hell.'" [al-Jinn 72:14-15]

The Muslims among the jinn are of different levels as regards righteousness and taqwa. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says (interpretation of the meaning):

"[Some jinn said:] 'There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary; we are groups, each having a different way (religious sects, etc.)'" [al-Jinn 72:11]

The story of how the first jinn of this ummah became Muslim was narrated by `Abd-Allaah ibn `Abbaas, who said: "The Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam went out with a group of his Companions heading for the marketplace of `Ukaaz. This was when the shayaateen were prevented from getting any news from heaven, and shooting stars had been sent against them. The shayaateen went back to their people, who said, 'What is the matter with you?' They said, 'We cannot get news from heaven, and shooting stars were sent against us.' Their people said, 'Nothing is stopping you from hearing news from heaven except some new event that must have happened. Go and look in the east and the west of the earth, and see if you can find out what it is that is stopping you from hearing news from heaven.' Those who went out in the direction of Tihaamah came upon the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam in Nakhlah, when he was on his way to `Ukaaz, and found him leading his Companions in Fajr prayer. When they heard the Qur`aan, they listened to it and said, 'By Allaah, this is what is stopping us from hearing news from heaven.' When they went back to their people, they said, 'O our people, we have heard a wonderful Recital (the Qur`aan). It guides to the Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we shall never join (in worship) anything with our Lord (Allaah). [al-Jinn 72:2 - interpretation of the meaning]. Then Allaah revealed to His Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam the words (interpretation of the meaning):

"Say (O Muhammad): 'It has been revealed to me that a group of jinns listened (to this Qur`aan).' [al-Jinn 72:1], and Allaah revealed to him what the jinn had said." (reported by al-Bukhaari, 731).

Their reckoning on the Day of Resurrection

There is no doubt that the jinn die, for they are included in the words of Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala (interpretation of the meaning): "Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish" [al-Rahmaan 55:26]

The jinn will be called to account on the day of Resurrection. Mujaahid radhiallaahu`anhu said, concerning the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): ". but the jinns know well that they have indeed to appear (before Him) (i.e., they will be brought to account)" [al-Saffaat 37:158]: "They will be brought to judgement." Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Baab Dhikr al-Jinn wa Thawaabihim wa `Iqaabihim.

Protection from the harm of the jinn

Because the jinn can see us while we cannot see them, the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam taught us many ways to protect ourselves from their harm, such as seeking refuge with Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala from the accursed Shaytaan, reciting Soorat al-Falaq and Soorat al-Naas (the last two Soorahs of the Qur`aan), and reciting the words taught by Allaah Subhaanahuwa Ta'aala in the Qur'aan (interpretation of the meaning): "Say: 'My Lord! I seek refuge with You from the whisperings (suggestions) of the shayaateen (devils). And I seek refuge with You, my Lord, lest they may attend (or come near) me.'" [al-Mu`minoon 23:97-98]

Saying Bismillaah before entering one's home, before eating or drinking, and before having intercourse will also keep the Shaytaan from entering the house or partaking with a person in his food, drink and sexual activity. Similarly, mentioning the name of Allaah before entering the toilet or taking off one's clothes will prevent the jinn from seeing a person's `awrah or harming him, as the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said, "To put a barrier that will prevent the jinn from seeing the 'awrah of the sons of Aadam, let any one of you say 'Bismillaah' when entering the toilet." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 551; Saheeh al-Jaami', 3611).

Strength of eemaan and deen in general will also prevent the jinn from harming a person, so much so that if they were to fight, the one who has faith would win. `Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood radhiallaahu`anhu said: "A man from among the Companions of Muhammad met a man from among the jinn. They wrestled, and the human knocked down the jinn. The human said to him, 'You look small and skinny to me, and your forearms look like the front paws of a dog. Do all the jinn look like this, or only you?' He said, 'No, by Allaah, among them I am strong, but let us wrestle again, and if you defeat me I will teach you something that will do you good.' The human said, 'Fine.' He said, 'Recite, 'Allaah! None has the right to be worshipped but He, the Ever-living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists.' [Aayat al-Kursi - al-Baqarah 2:255 - interpretation of the meaning]. The human said, 'Fine.' He said, 'You will never recite this in your house but the Shaytaan will come out of it like a donkey breaking wind, and he will never come back in until the next morning.'" (Reported by al-Daarimi, 3247). - unquote.

2. On the Shaytaan's existence, Imaam al-Shawkaani said in his tafseer of this aayah:

Till the Day of the time appointed.'" [Saad 38:79-81 - interpretation of the meaning]

The day which Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has decreed for the death of all creatures, which is when the last blast of the Trumpet will be sounded, or it was said the first blast. It was said that Iblees asked to be given a respite until the Day of Resurrection so that he might avoid death, because if he were given respite until the Day of Resurrection, he would not die before the resurrection; when the resurrection came, he would thus have avoided death. But Allaah responded in a manner that denied him his desire and thwarted his aims, which was by giving him respite until the day of the time appointed, which is known only to Allaah, and no one else knows it. (Fath al-Qadeer, 4/446)

This indicates that Iblees (may Allaah curse him) is still alive and that he is still spreading mischief on earth and misguiding people away from the path of Allaah. But he is not immortal and will not live until the Day of Resurrection, rather there is an appointed time when he will die - and Allaah knows best when that appointed time will be. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Everyone shall taste death" [Aali 'Imraan 3:185]

"Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will remain forever". [al Rahmaan 55:26-27]

There are also reports which indicate that Iblees (may Allaah curse him) was alive at the time of the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam:

Iblees appeared on the day of Badr in the form of Suraaqah ibn Maalik. Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala says (interpretation of the meaning):

"And (remember) when Shaytaan made their (evil) deeds seem fair to them and said, 'No one of mankind can overcome you this day (of the battle of Badr) and verily, I am your neighbour (for each and every help).' But when the two forces came in sight of each other, he ran away and said 'Verily, I have nothing to do with you. Verily, I see what you see not. Verily, I fear Allaah for Allaah is Severe in punishment'" [al-Anfaal 8:48]

Ibn Katheer said in his tafseer of this aayah:

He (may Allaah curse him) made attractive to them the reason why they came and what they wanted to do. He raised their hopes that they would not be overwhelmed by anybody on that day, and calmed their fears that their homes might be attacked by their enemies Banu Bakr. He said, "and verily, I am your neighbour (for each and every help)" - because he appeared in the form of Suraaqah ibn Maalik ibn Ja'sham, the leader of Banu Mudlij and the leader of that region. All of that came from him, as Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aal says (interpretation of the meaning):

"He (the Shaytaan) makes promises to them, and arouses in them false desires; and Shaytaan's promises are nothing but deceptions." [al-Nisaa' 4:120]

Ibn Juraij said: Ibn`Abbaas radhiallaahu`anhu said concerning this aayah: When the day of Badr came, Iblees marched with his flags and his troops alongside the mushrikeen, and gave the mushrikeen the notion that no one would defeat them and that he was their neighbour. But when the (enemies) met in battle, and the Shaytaan saw the angelic reinforcements (on the Muslims' side), he ran away, i.e., he turned on his heels and fled, saying, Verily, I see what you see not. (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 2/318)

� He also (may Allaah curse him) appeared on the day of Uhud. It was reported in a saheeh hadeeth that`Aa'ishah radhiallaahu`anha said: On the day of Uhud, the mushrikeen were defeated. Then Iblees shouted out, 'O slaves of Allaah! Beware the ones behind you!' So the front ranks attacked the ones behind. Hudhayfah looked and saw his father al-Yamaan. He cried out, 'O slaves of Allaah, my father, my father!' By Allaah, they did not stop until they killed him [al-Yamaan]. Hudhayfah said, 'May Allaah forgive you.' `Urwah [one of the narrators] said: By Allaah, because of this, Hudhayfah remained in a good state until he met Allaah [i.e., died]. (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 3047)

� It was narrated in the saheeh ahaadeeth that the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam saw Iblees. It was narrated in a saheeh hadeeth that Abu`l-Dardaa' radhiallaahu`anhu said: The Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam stood up, and we heard him say: "I seek refuge in Allaah from you." Then he sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam said: "I curse you with the curse of Allaah" three times, and he spread out his hand as if reaching for something. When the prayer was over, we said, "O Messenger of Allaah, we heard you saying something in the prayer that we have never heard you say before, and we saw you stretching out your hand." He said, "The enemy of Allaah Iblees came with a flame of fire to throw in my face, and I said, 'I seek refuge with Allaah from you' three times. Then I said, 'I curse you with the complete curse of Allaah' three times, but he did not retreat. Then I wanted to seize him. By Allaah, were it not for the prayer of our brother Sulaymaan, he would have been tied up this morning and the children of the people of Madeenah would have played with him." (Narrated by Muslim, no. 843; al-Nasaa`i, no. 1200)

It was narrated from Aboo Sa`eed al-Khudri that the Messenger of Allaah sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam prayed Subh (Fajr) prayer and he [Aboo Sa`eed] was behind him. He recited and got confused in his recitation. When the prayer was over, he said, 'If only you could have seen me and Iblees. I grabbed him and kept on trying to strangle him until I felt the coldness of his saliva on these two fingers, the thumb and the one next to it. Were it not for the prayer of my brother Sulaymaan, he would have been tied to one of the pillars of the mosque this morning, and the children of Madeenah would have played with him. Whoever among you can prevent him from coming between him and the qiblah, let him do that." (Narrated by Ahmad, no. 11354).

� It was narrated that Jaabir radhiallaahu`anhu said: I heard the Prophet sall Allaahu`alayhi wa sallam say: "The throne of Iblees is on the sea and he sends out his troops to spread mischief (fitnah) among the people. The greatest of them in his sight is the one who causes the most fitnah." (Narrated by Muslim, 5031; Ahmad, no. 1427)

So Iblees (may the curse of Allaah be upon him) is still alive, and he will die on the Day of the time appointed, until which Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta`aala has given him a respite, which according to the most correct scholarly view is the Day of the first blast on the Trumpet. And Allaah knows best. [By Shaykh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (Islam Q&A - #10034)]