Learning More About the Jinn

The jinn are an important realm of created beings whom Allah mentioned in many places in the Quran. One of the most significant of these passages is that in which Allah tells us, in Surat al-Jinn, about the great wisdom and powers of reasoning with which many of them are blessed, even though they are different from human beings. They were astounded when they heard the word of truth and faith and verses from heaven recited on the lips of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). So they were sincere towards Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, and they were sincere towards themselves; they could not but submit to the truth that they were listening to and put aside all arrogance and stubbornness, doubts and hesitation. They took their decision to believe in the Seal of the Prophets, who was foretold by ‘Isa ibn Maryam (peace be upon him), without paying any attention to the specious arguments and doubts of the polytheists. For the truth cannot be sullied by sinful attempts or concealed by flawed arguments that are aimed at driving people away from the main purpose for which Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was sent, which was to confirm the message brought by the noble messengers who came before him, which was the message of Tawheed (affirmation of the Oneness of Allah), to spread sublime values and attitudes among the people, and to complete the mission of all the prophets who came before him, the aim of all of whom was to bring people forth from the worship of other people to the worship of the Lord of people, from the constraints of this world to the abundance of the Hereafter, from the injustice of distorted man-made religions to the justice and mercy of Islam. 

Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And (remember) when We sent towards you (Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)) Nafaran (three to ten persons) of the jinns, (quietly) listening to the Quran, when they stood in the presence thereof, they said: "Listen in silence!" And when it was finished, they returned to their people, as warners.

They said: O our people! Verily! We have heard a Book (this Qur’an) sent down after Musa (peace be upon him), confirming what came before it, it guides to the truth and to a Straight Path (i.e. Islam).

O our people! Respond (with obedience) to Allah’s Caller (i.e. Allah’s Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)), and believe in him (i.e. believe in that which Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has brought from Allah and follow him). He (Allah) will forgive you of your sins, and will save you from a painful torment (i.e. Hell-fire).

And whosoever does not respond to Allah’s Caller, he cannot escape on earth, and there will be no awliya (protectors) for him besides Allah (from Allah’s punishment). Those are in manifest error.” [46:29-32]. 

Prof. Sayyid Qutb (may Allah have mercy on him) said: 

These verses speak, as does the present surah (chapter), of the great surprise felt by the jinn when they first listened to the Quran. It had such a great effect on their minds, hearts and feelings. They were filled with emotion, resulting in their travel in great haste to tell their people. Their report expresses such overflowing emotions. Indeed, it is stated in an exceptionally fluent, warm, charged and joyful style. The surprise for them was great and their reaction was only natural. 

“We have heard a wondrous discourse.” (Verse 1) The first thing they realise about the Quranic discourse is that it is unfamiliar and that it makes the listener wonder. This is how the Quran is received by anyone who listens with an open and positive mind. He will find that the Quran contains intrinsic power, strong appeal and beautiful rhythms that touch hearts and feelings. It is ‘wondrous’ indeed, which tells us that the group of jinn listening to it had refined literary tastes. 

“Giving guidance to what is sagacious.” (Verse 2) This is the second prominent feature of the Quran which the jinn immediately felt within their hearts. That they use the word ‘sagacious’ to describe it is particularly significant. It is true that the Quran guides to what is right and sensible, but the term ‘sagacious’ also connotes maturity and wisdom that distinguishes right from wrong. It adds an element of awareness that naturally guides to the truth and to what is right and good. It establishes a bond with the source of light and guidance, as well as harmony with major universal laws. In doing so, the Quran guides to what is sagacious, as indeed it does by providing a code of living the like of which has never been experienced by any other human community. Yet this system enabled individuals and communities to attain sublime standards in personal morality and values as well as in social relations and interactions. 

“And we have come to believe in it.” (Verse 2) This is the natural and sound reaction to listening to the Quran and understanding its nature. The surah puts this response to the unbelievers in Makkah who used to listen to the Quran but who would not believe in it. They even attributed it to the jinn, alleging that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was a soothsayer, a poet or a madman, influenced by the jinn. Here we see the jinn wondering at the Quran, profoundly influenced by its discourse, unable to resist it. We see them able to discern the truth and submit to it: “We have come to believe in it.” They could not turn away from the truth they clearly felt. 

“We shall never associate partners with our Lord.” (Verse 2) Theirs, then, is a case of complete faith, and not tainted by any element of polytheism, delusions or superstitions. It is faith based on understanding the truth presented by the Quran, i.e., the truth of God’s absolute oneness.

 End quote from (In the Shade of the Qur’an).

This group of jinn were saved when they responded to a voice deep inside their hearts, asking them about the reason for refusing to believe in the Seal of the Prophets (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who was sent to complete and perfect noble characteristics, and to call people to affirm the oneness of Allah, may He be glorified, and believe in all the messengers and prophets who had come before. Although this voice sometimes becomes strong when the soul is pure and calm and at other times it becomes weak when the soul indulges in worldly distractions, they passed the test and deserved to be commemorated forever when Allah mentioned them in the Holy Quran. 

On our website we have previously discussed many details of the world of the jinn, which you can read about in the following fatwas: 

The realm of the jinn: 2340, 13378, 20666

Do the jinn read the Quran?  166892

Do the jinn have the ability to change their form? 157606

Companions from among the jinn: 149459

Were any messengers sent from among the jinn? 140629

Differences between the jinn and the shaytan 108679

Was Iblees the father of all the jinn? 102373

Can we see the jinn? 40703

Every human has a jinn companion: 26226

She thinks that the jinn are stealing things from the house: 101681

How we can protect ourselves from the jinn? 10513

And Allah knows best.