The World Of Jinn

Revised on 05 Oct. 2011.

بسم الله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله، وبعد

1. Definition:

The word Jinn in `Arabic refers to something that is concealed and hidden.

It says in Lisaan al-`Arab: Janana means to cover or conceal. Everything that is concealed from you is Junna `Anka (concealed from you). Jannahu al-layl means the night covered him. The Jinn is so called because they are concealed and hidden from view. Hence the fetus is called al-Janeen because it is concealed in his mother’s womb.

2. The creation of Jinn (Iblees) preceded that of Man (Aadam):

Allaah تعالى says: {And indeed, We created man from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud; while before him We had created Jinn from smokeless fire.} [Surah al-Hijr (15): 26-27]

3. Purpose of their creation:

Allaah تعالى says: {And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).} [Surah al-Dhaariyaat (51): 56]

4. All the Messengers and Prophets were sent to teach both the Humans and the Jinn:

Allaah تعالى says: {O you assembly of jinn and mankind! Did not there come to you Messengers from amongst you, reciting to you My Verses and warning you of the Meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say: "We bear witness against ourselves." It was the life of this world that deceived them. And they will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers.} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 130]

5. The Qur’aan is guidance for both Humans and Jinn:

Allaah تعالى says: {Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "It has been revealed to me that a group (from three to ten in number) of jinn listened (to this Qur'aan). They said: 'Verily, we have heard a wonderful Recitation (this 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).} [Surah al-Jinn (72): 1-2]

{And (remember) when We sent towards you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) a group (three to ten persons) of the jinn, (quietly) listening to the Qur'aan. 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'aan) sent down after Mûsaa (Moses), confirming what came before it, it guides to the truth and to a Straight Path (i.e. Islaam). "O our people! Respond (with obedience) to Allaah's Caller (i.e. Allaah's Messenger Muhammad [sal-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam]), and believe in him (i.e. believe in that which Muhammad [sal-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam] has brought from Allaah and follow him). He (Allaah) will forgive you of your sins, and will save you from a painful torment (i.e. Hell-fire). "And whosoever does not respond to Allaah's Caller, he cannot escape on earth, and there will be no Auliyaa' (lords, helpers, supporters, protectors) for him besides Allaah (from Allaah's punishment). Those are in manifest error.} [Surah al-Ahqaaf (46): 29-32]

6. Iblees is a Jinn and not a “fallen angel”:

Allaah تعالى says: {And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves to Aadam." So they prostrated themselves except Iblees (Satan). He was one of the jinn; he disobeyed the Command of his Lord. Will you then take him (Iblees) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while they are enemies to you? What an evil is the exchange for the Zaalimûn (polytheists, and wrong doers, etc).} [Surah al-Kahf (18): 50]

Iblees was in Paradise with the angels, but he never was an angel. If Iblees was an angel, he would not have disobeyed Allaah. For the Angels are a creation of Allaah who never disobey Him; rather they obey Allaah precisely in what He تعالى commands: {O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allaah, but do that which they are commanded.} [Surah Al-Tahreem (66):6]

7. Jinn created from fire:

Allaah تعالى says: {And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame of fire.} [Surah al-Hijr (15): 27]

{And the jinn He created from a smokeless flame of fire.} [Surah al-Rahmaan (55): 15]

8. Different categories of Jinns:

a.      Those who are good and are Muslims, will enter Paradise:

Amongst the Jinn there are those who are bad and evil who want to harm man by any means possible. But, then there are those who are Muslims and believe in Allaah and worship Him alone. (One may read the whole of Surah al-Jinn)

Allaah تعالى says: {Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "It has been revealed to me that a group (from three to ten in number) of jinn listened (to this Qur'aan). They said: 'Verily, we have heard a wonderful Recitation (this 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).} [Surah al-Jinn (72): 1-2]

{There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary; we are groups having different ways (religious sects).} [Surah al-Jinn (72): 11]

“Therein are those of modest gaze, whom neither man nor jinn will have touched before them” [Surah al-Rahmaan (55): 56]

{Hoor (beautiful, fair females) guarded in pavilions; Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinn and men) deny? With whom no man or jinni has had touched before them.} [Surah al-Rahmaan (55): 72-74]

b.      Those who dwell in the house are called `Awaamir:

Narrated Ibn `Umar: That he heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم delivering a sermon on the pulpit saying, "Kill snakes and kill Dhu-at-Tufyatain (i.e. a snake with two white lines on its back) and ALBATROSS (i.e. a snake with short or mutilated tail) for they destroy the sight of one's eyes and bring about abortion." ('Abdullaah bin 'Umar further added): Once while I was chasing a snake in order to kill it, Abu Lubaba called me saying: "Don't kill it," I said. "Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم ordered us to kill snakes." He said, "But later on he prohibited the killing of snakes living in the houses." (Az-Zuhri said. "Such snakes are called Al-`Awaamir.") [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3299)]

c.       Those who are evil are called Shaytaan (plural Shayaateen). The term Shaytaan can also be applied to evil men too:

Allaah تعالى says: {And so We have appointed for every Prophet enemies – Shayaateen (devils) among mankind and jinn…} [Surah al-An`aam (6): 112]

Note: Jinns most oftenly are found in abandoned settlements and buildings, the open dessert. They also occupy places of impurity like toilets, garbage – dumps, and graveyards. Soofi (mystic) saints who perform satanic feast often retreat to such places where devils most often reside.

d.      Those who reside in the toilets are known as Khubuth:

Anas reported that when the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم entered the privy he would say, "In the name of Allaah. O Allaah! I seek refuge in you from male (khubuth) and female (khabaa’ith) noxious beings (devils)." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (142) & Muslim (376)]

e.      Those who disturb us in the prayer are called Khanzab:

Narrated `Uthmaan ibn Abul `Aas: `Uthman came to Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and said: Allaah's Messenger, the Satan intervenes between me and my prayer and my reciting of the Qur'an and he confounds me. Thereupon Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said:“That is (the doing of the Satan) who is known as Khanzab, and when you perceive its effect, seek refuge with Allaah from it and spit three times to your left.” I did that and Allaah dispelled that from me. [Saheeh Muslim (4090), Musnad Ahmad (17548)]

f.        The one who are more wicked than the Shaytaan is called Maarid:

Allaah تعالى says: {And to guard against every rebellious devil (Shaytaan maarid).} [Surah al-Saaffaat (37):7]

g.      The most strong amongst them is called `Ifreet:

{(Sulaymaan) said (to his own men): "O Chiefs! Which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?" An 'Ifreet (strong one) from the jinn said: "I will bring it 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 firmly before him he said: "This is by the grace of my Lord! to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And if any is grateful truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is ungrateful truly my Lord is Free of All Needs Supreme in Honor!} [Surah al-Naml (27): 38-40]

Note: These types of Jinn can travel to far off places and come back within the twinkling of an eye. They are also capable of lifting heavy weights. All the magicians and Soofi (mystic) saints who claim to travel to far off places and come back quickly; or those who were seen at two different places at the same time; use the help of `Ifreet to fulfill their task.

h.      Those who are builders or divers in the sea:

{So, We subjected to him the wind; it blew gently by his order whithersoever he willed, and also the Shayaateen (devils) from the jinn (including) every kind of builder and diver.} [Surah Saad (38): 37]

i.        Those who can fly.

Abu Tha`labah said that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “There are three types of jinn: one that flies through the air, one that are snakes and dogs, and one which stay in places and travel about” [This was recorded by al-Tabaraani and al-Haakim and by al-Baihaqi in Al-Asmaa wa as-Sifaat with a Saheeh Isnaad. Shaikh Muhammad Naasir al-Deen al-Albaani authenticated it, Saheeh al-Jaami al-Sagheer # 3114]

9. They live and die too:

{(Iblees) said: "Allow me respite till the Day they are raised up (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)." (Allaah) said: "You are of those respited.} [Surah al-A`raaf (7): 14-15]

{Iblees (Satan) said: "My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected.} [Surah Saad (38): 79]

Iblees asked for respite (delay in death/punishment) which is an indication that he too would have died had Allaah not given him respite. This respite is only for Iblees alone, other than him all the other Jinn are subjected to die.

Narrated Abdullaah bin Umar: Once the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم led us in the 'Isha' prayer during the last days of his life and after finishing it (the prayer) (with Taslim) he said: "Do you realize (the importance of) this night?" Nobody present on the surface of the earth tonight will be living after the completion of one hundred years from this night." (Bukhaaree & Muslim)

10. They live in communities, have offspring, have animals, and eat food too:

{…Will you then take him (Iblees) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while they are enemies to you?...} [Surah al-Kahf (18): 50]

Narrated Abu Hurairah: That once he was in the company of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم carrying a water pot for his ablution and for cleaning his private parts. While he was following him carrying it (i.e. the pot), the Prophet said, "Who is this?" He said, "I am Abu Hurairah." The Prophet said, "Bring me stones in order to clean my private parts, and do not bring any bones or animal dung." Abu Huraira went on narrating: So I brought some stones, carrying them in the corner of my robe till I put them by his side and went away. When he finished, I walked with him and asked, "What about the bone and the animal dung?" He said, "They are of the food of Jinns. The delegate of Jinns of (the city of) Nasibin came to me--and how nice those Jinns were--and asked me for the remains of the human food. I invoked Allaah for them that they would never pass by a bone or animal dung but find food on them." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3860)]

Narrated `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood: Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Don't cleanse yourself with dung or with bones for that is the food of your brothers from amongst the Jinn.” [Tirmidhi (3258) and authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Dawud reported from `Aamir who said: I asked Alqamah if Ibn Mas`ood were present with the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم on the night of the Jinn (the night when the Holy Prophet met them). He (Ibn Mas'ud) said: No, but we were in the company of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم one night and we missed him. We searched for him in the valleys and the hills and said: He has either been taken away (by Jinn) or has been secretly killed. He (the narrator) said: We spent the worst night that people could ever spend. When it was dawn we saw him coming from the side of Hira'. He (the narrator) reported: We said: Messenger of Allaah, we missed you and searched for you, but we could not find you and we spent the worst night that people could ever spend. He (the Holy Prophet) said: “There came to me petitioner on behalf of the Jinn and I went with him and recited the Qur'an to them.” He (the narrator) said: He then went with him and showed us their tracks and the traces of their embers (at their camp). They (the Jinn) asked him (the Holy Prophet) about their provision and he said: “Every bone on which the name of Allaah is recited is your provision. The time it falls in your hand it shall be covered with flesh, and the dung of (the camels) is fodder for your animals.” The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Don't perform istinja with these (things) for these are the food of your brothers (Jinn).” [Saheeh Muslim (450)]

11. Jinn cannot be seen by Humans in their original form:

Allaah تعالى says: {O Children of Aadam! Let not Shaitaan (Satan) deceive you, as he got your parents [Aadam and Hawwaa'] out of Paradise, stripping them of their raiments, to show them their private parts. Verily, he and his soldiers (from the jinn) see you from where you cannot see them. Verily, We made the Shayaateen (devils) Auliyaa' (protectors and helpers) for those who are disbelievers.} [Surah Al`Araaf (7): 27]

The only ones who were allowed to see the Jinns in their original form were the Prophets and Messengers عليهم السلام.

12. Jinn can be seen in other forms:

Jinn can take the form of humans, snakes or black dogs as is mentioned in the following Ahaadeeth…

Narrated Abu Hurairah: Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم deputized me to keep Sadaqa (al-Fitr) of Ramadan. A comer came and started taking handfuls of the foodstuff (of the Sadaqa) (stealthily). I took hold of him and said, "By Allaah, I will take you to Allaah's Apostle." He said, "I am needy and have many dependents, and I am in great need." I released him, and in the morning Allaah's Apostle asked me, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I said, "O Allaah's Apostle! The person complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so, I pitied him and let him go." Allaah's Apostle said, "Indeed, he told you a lie and he will be coming again." I believed that he would show up again as Allaah's Apostle had told me that he would return. So, I waited for him watchfully. When he (showed up and) started stealing handfuls of foodstuff, I caught hold of him again and said, "I will definitely take you to Allaah's Apostle. He said, "Leave me, for I am very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not come back again." I pitied him and let him go. In the morning Allaah's Apostle asked me, "What did your prisoner do?" I replied, "O Allaah's Apostle! He complained of his great need and of too many dependents, so I took pity on him and set him free." Allaah's Apostle said, "Verily, he told you a lie and he will return." I waited for him attentively for the third time, and when he (came and) started stealing handfuls of the foodstuff, I caught hold of him and said, "I will surely take you to Allaah's Apostle as it is the third time you promise not to return, yet you break your promise and come." He said, "(Forgive me and) I will teach you some words with which Allaah will benefit you." I asked, "What are they?" He replied, "Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi-- 'Allaahu la ilaha illa huwa-l-Haiy-ul Qaiyum...' till you finish the whole verse. (If you do so), Allaah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no satan will come near you till morning." So, I released him. In the morning, Allaah's Apostle asked, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I replied, "He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allaah will benefit me, so I let him go." Allaah's Apostle asked, "What are they?" I replied, "He said to me, 'Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi from the beginning to the end --'Allaahu la ilaha illa huwa-lHaiy-ul-Qaiyum...' He further said to me, '(If you do so), Allaah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no satan will come near you till morning.' (Abu Huraira or another sub-narrator) added that they (the companions) were very keen to do good deeds. The Prophet said, "He really spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar. Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Abu Huraira?" Abu Huraira said, "No." He said, "It was Satan." [Bukhaaree (2311)]

Abu Sa`eed al-Khudree said: The Apostle of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Some snakes are jinn; so when anyone sees one of them in his house, he should give it a warning three times. If it return (after that), he should kill it, for it is a devil.” [Saheeh Muslim (4158), Sunan Abu Dawood (5258)]

Malik related to me from Safiyy, the mawla of Ibn Aflah that Abu's-Saib, the mawla of Hisham ibn Zuhra said, "I went to Abu Saeed: al-Khudri and found him praying. I sat to wait for him until he finished the prayer. I heard a movement under a bed in his room, and it was a snake. I stood up to kill it, and Abu Said gestured to me to sit. When he was finished he pointed to a room in the house and said, 'Do you see this room?' I said, 'Yes.' He said, 'There was a young boy in it who had just got married. He went out with the Messenger of Allaah صلى اله عليه وسلم to al-Khandaq, (the ditch which the Muslims dug in the 5th year of the Hijra to defend Madina against the Quraysh and their allies). When he was there, the youth came and asked his permission, saying, "Messenger of Allaah. Give me permission to return to my family." The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم gave him permission and said, "Take your weapons with you, for I fear the Banu Quraydha tribe. They may harm you." The youth went to his family and found his wife standing between the two doors. He lifted his spear to stab her as jealousy had been aroused in him. She said, "Don't be hasty until you go in and see what is in your house." He entered and found a snake coiled up on his bed. He transfixed it with his spear and then went out with it and pitched it into the house. The snake stirred on the end of the spear and the youth fell dead. No one knew which of them died first, the snake or the youth. That was mentioned to the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم and he said, "There are jinn in Madina who have become Muslim. When you see one of them, call out to it for three days. If it appears after that, then kill it, for it is a shaytan." [Muwatta Imam Malik] and Saheeh Muslim (4157)]

Narrated Abu Dharr: The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “When any one of you stands for prayer and there is a thing before him equal to the back of the saddle that covers him and in case there is not before him (a thing) equal to the back of the saddle, his prayer would be cut off by (passing of an) ass, woman, and black dog.” I said: O Abu Dharr, what feature is there in a black dog which distinguishes it from the red dog and the yellow dog? He said: O son of my brother, I asked the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم as you are asking me, and he said: “The black dog is a devil.” [Saheeh Muslim (512)]

13. Humans cannot control the Jinn:

{(Sulaymaan) said: "My Lord! Forgive me, and bestow upon me a kingdom such as shall not belong to any other after me. Verily, You are the Bestower." So, We subjected to him the wind; it blew gently by his order whithersoever he willed, and also the Shayaateen (devils) from the jinn (including) every kind of builder and diver, and also others bound in fetters. [Allaah said to Sulaimaan:] "This is Our Gift, so spend you or withhold, no account will be asked of you.} [Surah Saad (38): 35-39]

Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Last night a demon from the Jinns came to me to disturb my prayer, but Allaah gave me the power to overcome him. I intended to tie him to one of the pillars of the mosque till the morning so that all of you could see him, but then I remembered the Statement of my brother Solomon: {My Lord! Forgive me and bestow on me a kingdom such as shall not belong to any other after me.}” [Surah Saad (38):35] [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (461, 3423, 4808) & Saheeh Muslim (543)]

Narrated Abu Darda: Allaah's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم stood up (to pray) and we heard him say: "I seek refuge in Allaah." Then he said: "I curse thee with Allaah's curse" three times, then he stretched out his hand as though he were taking hold of something. When he finished the prayer, we said: Messenger of Allaah, we heard you say something during the prayer, which we have not heard you say before, and we saw you stretch out your hand. He replied: "Allaah's enemy, Iblees, came with a flame of fire to put it in my face, so I said three times: "I seek refuge in Allaah from thee." Then I said three times: "I curse thee with Allaah's full curse." But he did not retreat on (any one of these) three occasions. Thereafter I meant to seize him. I swear by Allaah that had it not been for the supplication of my brother, Sulayman, he would have been bound and made an object of sport for the children of Medina." [Saheeh Muslim (544)]

Note: All the stories which we use to hear when we were kids - that there are people who can control Jinn – are all lies. The power to control Jinn was only granted to Prophet Sulaimaan عليه السلام as a gift by Allaah. No other Prophet after him was granted such dominion. The jinn which help the black magicians only deceive them into believing that they (the jinn) are under their (magician’s) control.

14. Jinn do not see the angels nor do they know the unseen:

{And to Sulaimaan (We subjected) the wind, its morning (stride from sunrise till midnoon) was a month's (journey), and its afternoon (stride from the midday decline of the sun to sunset) was a month's (journey, i.e. in one day he could travel two months' journey). And We caused a fount of (molten) brass to flow for him, and there were jinn that worked in front of him, by the Leave of his Lord. And whosoever of them turned aside from Our Command, We shall cause him to taste of the torment of the blazing Fire. They worked for him as he desired, (making) high rooms, images, basins as large as reservoirs, and (cooking) cauldrons fixed (in their places). "Work you, O family of Daawûd, with thanks!" But few of My slaves are grateful. Then when We decreed death for him [Sulaimaan], nothing informed them (jinn) of his death except a little worm (termite) of the earth which kept (slowly) gnawing away at his stick. So when he fell down, the jinn saw clearly that if they had known the Unseen, they would not have stayed in the humiliating torment.} [Surah al-Sabaa’ (34): 12-14]

15. Worst enemy of man:

Allaah تعالى says: {Did I not command you, O Children of Aadam, that you should not worship Shaitaan (Satan)? Verily, he is a plain enemy to you.} [Surah Yaseen (36): 60]

{And (remember) when We said to the angels: "Prostrate yourselves to Aadam." They prostrated themselves (all) except Iblees (Satan); he refused. Then We said: "O Aadam! Verily, this is an enemy to you and to your wife. So, let him not get you both out of Paradise, so that you will be distressed. Verily, you have (a promise from Us) that you will never be hungry therein nor naked. And you (will) suffer not from thirst therein nor from the sun's heat. Then Shaitaan (Satan) whispered to him, saying: "O Aadam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a kingdom that will never waste away?" Then they both ate of the tree, and so their private parts became manifest to them, and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of Paradise for their covering. Thus did Aadam disobey his Lord, so he went astray. Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance.} [Surah Taha (20): 116-122]

16. A big deceiver:

{And Shaitaan (Satan) will say when the matter has been decided: "Verily, Allaah promised you a promise of truth. And I too promised you, but I betrayed you. I had no authority over you except that I called you, and you responded to me. So blame me not, but blame yourselves. I cannot help you, nor can you help me. I deny your former act in associating me (Satan) as a partner with Allaah (by obeying me in the life of the world). Verily, there is a painful torment for the Zaalimûn (polytheists and wrong doers).} [Surah Ibraheem (14): 22]

{(Their allies deceived them) like Shaitaan (Satan), when he says to man: "Disbelieve in Allaah." But when (man) disbelieves in Allaah, Shaitaan (Satan) says: "I am free of you, I fear Allaah, the Lord of the 'آlameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!} [Surah al-Hashr (59): 16]

17. Most active at night:

Narrated Jaabir bin `Abdullaah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "Cover your utensils and tie your water skins, and close your doors and keep your children close to you at night, as the Jinns spread out at such time and snatch things away. When you go to bed, put out your lights, for the mischief-doer (i.e. the rat) may drag away the wick of the candle and burn the dwellers of the house." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3316, 5623) and Saheeh Muslim (2015)]

18. The Jinn teach magic and sorcery:

{And they followed what the Shayaateen (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaimaan (Solomon). Sulaimaan did not disbelieve, but the Shayaateen (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Haaroot and Maaroot, but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allaah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew.} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 102]

19. The Jinn help the magicians and fortunetellers, and how they steal the news from the Heavens:

Allaah تعالى says: {And indeed, We have put the big stars in the heaven and We beautified it for the beholders. And We have guarded it (near heaven) from every outcast Shaitaan (devil). Except him (devil) who steals the hearing then he is pursued by a clear flaming fire (comet).} [Surah al-Hijr (15): 16-18]

Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "When Allaah has ordained some affair in the Heaven, the angels beat with their wings in obedience to His statement, which sounds like a chain dragged over a rock. ('Ali and other sub-narrators said, 'The sound reaches them.') Until when fear is banished from their (angels) hearts, they (angels) say, {What was it that your Lord said?' They say, 'The truth; And He is the Most High, the Most Great.} (34.23) Then those who gain a hearing by stealing (i.e. devils) will hear Allaah's Statement: 'Those who gain a hearing by stealing, (stand one over the other like this).' (Sufyaan, to illustrate this, spread the fingers of his right hand and placed them one over the other horizontally.) A flame may overtake and burn the eavesdropper before conveying the news to the one below him; or it may not overtake him till he has conveyed it to the one below him, who in his turn, conveys it to the one below him, and so on till they convey the news to the earth. (Or probably Sufyaan said, 'Till the news reaches the earth.') Then the news is inspired to a sorcerer who would add a hundred lies to it. His prophecy will prove true (as far as the heavenly news is concerned). The people will say, 'Didn't he tell us that on such-and-such a day, such-and-such a thing will happen? We have found that is true because of the true news heard from heaven.'" [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (4800, 7481) and Saheeh Muslim (2232)]

Allaah تعالى says: {Verily, We have adorned the near heaven with the stars (for beauty). And to guard against every rebellious devil. They cannot listen to the higher group (angels) for they are pelted from every side.} [Surah al-Saaffaat (37): 6-8]

Narrated `Aaishah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "While the angels talk amidst the clouds about things that are going to happen on earth, the devils hear a word of what they say and pour it in the ears of a soothsayer as one pours something in a bottle, and they add one hundred lies to that (one word)." [Bukhaaree (3210, 3288) and Saheeh Muslim (2230)]

Narrated `Aaishah: Some people asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم regarding the soothsayers. He said, "They are nothing." They said, "O Allaah's Apostle! Some of their talks come true." The Prophet said, "That word which happens to be true is what a Jinn snatches away by stealth (from the Heaven) and pours it in the ears of his friend (the foreteller) with a sound like the cackling of a hen. The soothsayers then mix with that word, one hundred lies." [Bukhaaree (6213, 7561) and Saheeh Muslim (2231)]

Narrated Ibn `Abbaas: The Prophet set out with the intention of going to Suq `Ukaaz (market of `Ukaaz) 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 `Ukaaz and the Prophet was offering the Fajr prayer with his companions. When they heard the Qur'an they listened to it and said, "By Allaah, 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." Allaah revealed the following verses to his Prophet (Sura 'Jinn') (72): {Say: It has been revealed to me.} And what was revealed to him was the conversation of the Jinns. [Bukhaaree (773, 4921) and Saheeh Muslim (450)]

20. Every human being has been assigned a companion from the Jinn:

Describing the Day of Judgment Allaah says: {His (the man’s) companion (devil) will say: "Our Lord! I did not push him to transgression, but he was himself in error far astray.} [Surah Qaaf (50): 27]

Narrated Abdullaah ibn Mas'ud: Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Every one of you has been assigned a companion from the Jinn.” They (the Companions) said: Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم with you too? Thereupon he said: “Yes, but Allaah helps me against him and so I am safe from his hand and he does not command me but for good.” [Saheeh Muslim (5093)]

Note: Every human, either a man or a woman, has been assigned with him a companion from amongst the Jinn. Sometimes, this Jinn is good and help’s his companion from amongst the humans to do good. Then there are evil ones, who incite their companions (humans) to do evil.

This Hadeeth also explains all the claims for re-births, and how people can narrate of what took place with them in their “previous lives”. Firstly, there is no such thing as birth and re-birth. There is only one life in this world, and no one would come back to it after his/her death. The only life after this life is the life of the hereafter.

Secondly, all the false claim of “re-birth” can be understood with the above text from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. When a person dies, his Jinn gets in touch with some other human being and tells him of what has taken place in the life of the deceased. Thus, this person puts up a claim that he is the deceased reborn and informs the people of all what the Jinn had told him.

21. Possession and exorcism:

a. Qur’aanic Evidence:

Allaah says: {Those who live on usury will not rise up before Allaah except like those who are driven to madness by the touch of Shaitan.} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 275]

Ibn Katheer in his exegesis on the afore mentioned ayah says: “This Ayah means, on the Day of Resurrection, these people will get up from their graves just as the person afflicted by insanity or possessed by a demon would. Ibn `Abbaas said, "On the Day of Resurrection, those who consume Riba (usury) will be resurrected while insane and suffering from seizures.'' Ibn Abee Haatim also recorded this and then commented, "This Tafseer was reported from `Awf bin Malik, Sa`eed bin Jubayr, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabee` bin Anas, Qatadah and Muqaatil bin Hayyan.''

Imam Qurtubi (in his exegesis) said: “This verse shows that those who deny the epilepsy can be caused by the jinn and that it is caused only by physical factors and that the Shaytaan cannot affect man or cause insanity, are wrong.”

Imam Tabaaree (in his exegesis) said: “They will not rise from their graves in the hereafter except in the manner of one who has been beaten by the Shaytaan and driven to insanity. What is meant by that is that the Shaytaan beats him in this world, causing insanity.”

b. Evidence from the Sunnah:

Narrated Yu`laa bin Murrah: …and a woman approached the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and said: This son of mine has traces of insanity for the past seven years, and it overtakes him twice every day. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Bring him close to me.” So he was brought him to him. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم spat into his mouth and said: “Come out, enemy of Allaah, I am the Messenger of Allaah.” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then said to her: “When we come back, inform us of what happens.” When the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم returned, she entertained him and she had two rams, some yoghurt and butter. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said to me: “Take (one of these) ram.” So I chose whichever I wished. Then she said: By the One who has honored you! We have not seen anything (wrong) with him (the boy) since you left us. [al-Haakim in his Mustadrak (4163) and said the chain of narration is “Saheeh” and al-Dhahabee agreed with him. Imaam Ahamd also reported it with a different chain in his Musnad (4/170, 171, 172). Al-Mudhiree said in “al-Targheeb” (3/158), its chain is “Jayyid” (good). Shaikh al-Albaanee said in “al-Saheehah” (485): “Overall, the Hadeeth, with all these supporting chains, is “Jayyid” (good), and Allaah knows best.”]

`Uthmaan bin al`Aas رضي الله عنه said: When Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم appointed me as the governor of al-Taaif, something began to occur to my mind during the course of my prayer till I did not know what I was praying. When I felt this (state), I rode to Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم upon which he said: “(Is it) Ibn Abi al-`Aas?” I said: Yes, Allaah’s Messenger. He said: “What has brought you?” I said: Allaah’s Messenger, something occurs to my mind during my prayer till I do not know what I pray. He صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “This is (the act of) the devil. Come near.” Then I drew near him and sat down on my toes. Upon this he struck my chest with his hand and put his saliva in my mouth and said: “Come out, O enemy of Allaah!” He said this thrice and then said: “Assume your job (in al-Taaif).” The sub-narrator added that `Uthmaan later said: In all his time, I do not remember it (the Shaytaan) confounding me after it.” [Sunan Ibn Majah (3548) and authenticated by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh Ibn Majah (2874) and also in “al-Saheehah” (2918). Shaikh al-Albaanee further said: This narration has been reported through four different chains. Firstly: by al-Tabaraanee in “Mu`jam al-Kabeer (8347) and al-Haithamee (9/3) with a “Hasan” (good) chain. Secondly: by al-Baihaqee in “Dalaail al-Nubuwah (5/308) with a Saheeh chain. Thirdly: by Abu Na`eem in “al-Dalaail” and al-Baihaqee with a Saheeh chain. The fourth: is the above narration of Ibn Majah and it is Saheeh]

It was narrated that Matr bin Abdul Rahman said: Umm Abaan told me, from her father that her grandfather brought a son of his – or a son of his sister’s – to the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم. My grandfather said: When we came to Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم in Madeenah, I said: “O Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم, I have with me son of mine – or a son of my sister’s – who is insane. I have brought him to you so that you may pray to Allaah for him.” The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Bring him to me.” So, I went to him (the child) who was with the caravan, took off his travelling garments and dressed him in two good clothes. Then I took him by the hand and brought him to the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم. He said: “Bring him close to me and turn his back towards me.” Then he took hold of his garment at the top and bottom, and started hitting his back, until I could see the whiteness of his (the Prophet’s) armpits, and he was saying: “Come out, enemy of Allaah; come out enemy of Allaah.” Then the child’s eyes started to look different than they had before. The Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم sat him down in front of him and prayed for him, and wiped his face. After the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم prayed for him, there was no one among the delegation who was better than him (the child). [Al-Tabaraani]

It was narrated that Jaabir bin `Abdullaah said: We went out with the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم on the campaign of Dhaat al-Riqaa`. When we were in Harrat Waaqim (name of a place), a Bedouin woman brought a son of hers to the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم and said: “O Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم, the Shaytaan has got hold of this son of mine and I cannot do anything.” He said: “Bring him close to me.” So she brought him close to him, and he said: “Open his mouth.” So, she opened it and the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم spat into it, then he said: “be gone, enemy of Allaah, for I am the Messenger of Allaah.” He said that three times and he said: “Take your son, there is nothing wrong with him (now), and the problem that he suffered will not come back to him.” [Al-Tabaraani in al-awsat and Al-Bazzaar]

Saffiyah inb Huyay narrated that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The Shaytaan flows through the son of Aadam like his blood.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2035, 2038, 2039, 3101, 3281) and Saheeh Muslim (4047, 4048)]

Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "When any human being is born, Shaytaan touches him at both sides of the body with his two fingers, except Jesus, the son of Mary, whom Satan tried to touch but failed, for he touched the placenta-cover instead." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3286, 3431, 4548) and Saheeh Muslim (4370, 4371, 4813)]

c. From the saying of the scholars:

`Abdullaah ibn Ahmad al-Hanbal رحمهم الله said: I said to my father: There is someone who claims that the jinn cannot enter human bodies. He said: O my son, he is lying; the jinn is speaking through him.

Shaikh al-Islaam ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said: The fact that the jinn can enter human bodies is proven according to the consensus of Ahlus-Sunnah. This is something that has been seen and witnessed by those who examined the matter. The jinn enters the body of the epileptic and he says things of which he is not aware and that he does not remember.

Shaikh al-Albaanee رحمه الله said: “And in this Hadeeth, there is clear evidence that the Shaitaan can characterize a person and can enter inside him, even if he were a believer.” He further said: “It is the aqeedah of some of the Ashaa`irah and Mu`tazilah (two deviant groups who deny the entering of the Shaitaan inside the human) and they (wrongly) interpret the word “Mass” (touch) in ayah of Surah al-Baqarah to mean “waswas” harmful whisper of the Shaitaan.” He continues: “It does not go against the intellect to believe that the Jinn can enter the human body and make it do what it (the Jinn) wants and harm it from the inside. Also there is no denying the fact that it can come out of it. These two matters (of the jinn going in and coming out) has been proven from the Hadeeth and we believe in it. And we do not deny it as what the Mu`tazilah and their likes from the people of desires have done.” He also said: “And in the end, I say: It is not my purpose, from what has preceded, except to affirm what the Sharee`ah has affirmed from the affairs of the unseen and to respond to those who deny it. And on the other hand, I strongly object to those who go in excess in this `Aqeedah – those who evoke the jinn and address them, as the way of treating the Jinn possession, and while doing so, they exceed the limits (set by the Sharee`ah) of reciting the Qur’aan and utilize such ways for which Allaah has not sent down any authority – like hitting the person severely, which sometimes lead to the death of the person.” [al-Saheehah (2918)]

The reply of Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله can be read in detail from the following link:

http://alifta.com/Fatawa/FatawaChapters.aspx?View=Page&PageID=208&PageNo=1&BookID=14