As Muslims we should have belief in the Unseen (that which cannot be seen). A part of the Unseen is the Jinn. Not believing in their existence is an opening to the path of disbelief in Islam itself.
*Both the Qur’an and the Sunnah confirm Jinn’s existence and it is one of the traits of the believer to believe in their existence. Complete search shows that the Jinn are mentioned in more than forty verses of the Qur’an, which are spread in ten of its Surahs.
**Surah al-Jinn is one of the prime surahs telling of the existence of Jinn. We have no choice to believe in some parts of the Qur’an and not others according to our whims! a whole surah that specially talks about a group/caravan of Jinns who overheard Muhammad (S. A. W. W.) recite a portion of The Holy Book (Al-Qur’an Al-Majeed).
***”Say: ‘It has been revealed to me that a group of Jinn listened and said, ‘We have heard a most amazing Recitation.’”
“O you assembly of Jinns and men! if it be you can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, pass you! Not without authority shall you be able to pass!” (Surah Ar-Rehman: 33)
In Surah Ar-Rehman the Jinns are called Al-Jaan, which is the Arabic plural of Jinn. Janana means to cover or conceal. Jannahu Al-layl means the night covered him. Similarly, the Jinns are so called because they are covered from us (unseen). Interestingly, the foetus is called Al-Janeen in Arabic, as it is hidden from us.
Some of the different terms used for Jinns are as follows:
1. In Arabic when Jinn are mentioned in general terms they call them with the word Jinni.
2. Jinns dwelling in houses are called ‘Aamir (dweller). [do not mistake it with the name Aamir that is derived from the name/word ‘Amr, meaning longevity.]
3. Those Jinns that interact with children are called Arwaah(spirits).
4. An evil Jinn is called Shaytaan (devil).
5. If the Jinn is worse than Shaytaan he/she is called Maarid (demon).
6. If he/she is worse than that as well, he/she is called ‘Ifreet.
Generally people are afraid of all that is not visible to them. People are so afraid of Jinns that they do not even mention its name! If they do they follow it quickly with a fearful ‘Bismillah’.
Mujahid (may Allah (SWT) be pleased with him), a student of Ibn Abbas (r.a.) had said :- “After Ibn Abbas’s death a shaytaan would constantly appear before me in the form of Ibn Abbas whenever I started salaah. This got so worse that at times I was forced to break my salaah. So I decided to confront him next time he appeared and so I hid a dagger in my pocket and started salaah. When he came in front of me, I took out the dagger and jumped on him. He disappeared instantly and thereafter he never came back.”
The Jinns are as afraid of human beings as human beings are of them. However, when human beings portray their immense fear of the Jinns, the Jinns are encouraged and start pestering the person in all forms so that his fear would further intensify.
****One of those people, who are most likely to come under the possession of Jinn are those who fear them a lot.
If a person has full faith in Allah (SWT) he/she would know that no one can harm except by the Will of Allah. Even those people who do black magic, their magic is just a means of a person having a problem or problems in life. Complete faith is the path to bravery because the one can bow down to Allah (SWT) can stand up to anything, insha’Allah.
Allama Iqbal’s one poem contains a similar verse regarding Faith in Allah (SWT) alone.
“woh aik sajda jissay tuu giraan samajhta hai
hazaar sajdon se deta hai aadmi ko nijaat”
If the Arabs of Jahiliyah had used their heads in this regard they wouldn’t have been asking for the protection of Shaytaan before retiring for the night in uninhabited places.
Another point to take note of is that the more a person fears Jinn and Black Magic, the more it will have its effect. That doesn’t mean one should deny its being. Instead one should have full faith in Qadar (Fate) good or evil and always remember Allah (SWT). Without doubt, Islam is the remedy of all problems.
*Ahlus-Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah are unanimously agreed that whosoever denies the existence of the Jinn is a Kaafir as such a person is rejecting what is reported in the Holy Qur’an.
**Reciting Surah Jinn is a cure form black magic as well.
***Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas (r.a.):
“The Prophet (S.A.W.W.) set out with the intention of going to Suq ‘Ukaz (market of ‘Ukaz) along with some of his companions. At the same time, a barrier was put between the devils and the news of heaven. Fire commenced to be thrown at them. The Devils went to their people, who asked them, “What is wrong with you?” They said, “A barrier has been placed between us and the news of heaven. And fire has been thrown at us.” They said, “The thing which has put a barrier between you and the news of heaven must be something which has happened recently. Go eastward and westward and see what has put a barrier between you and the news of heaven.” Those who went towards Tuhama came across the Prophet at a place called Nakhla and it was on the way to Suq ‘Ukaz and the Prophet was offering the Fajr prayer with his companions. When they heard the Qur’an they listened to it and said, “By Allah, this is the thing which has put a barrier between us and the news of heaven.” They went to their people and said, “O our people; verily we have heard a wonderful recital (Qur’an) which shows the true path; we believed in it and would not ascribe partners to our Lord.” Allah revealed the following verses to his Prophet (Surah ‘Jinn’): “Say: It has been revealed to me.” And what was revealed to him was the conversation of the Jinns.” [Sahih Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 12, Number 740]
****The following usually are the other reasons for possession. It must, however, be noted that possession can also happen due to black magic or simply a being a test in one’s life.
1. Jinn falling in love with a human being
2. If the Jinns are oppressed (pouring hot water in sinks, defecating or urinating in their homes (caves, holes etc))
3. When a person is under extreme anger
4. When a person is under extreme fear
5. When a person is indulging in prohibited acts.
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