What Is a Jinn? How to Protect Yourself and What Jinns Are Scared Of ?
How the Quran Explains Jinns: Created from Fire for Worship
Islam teaches that jinns jinn were created before man from fire “And the jinn We created before from scorching fire”Quran (15:27) … Just like humanse, jinns were created with a purpose: to worship God. “I have not created the jinns and men but to worship Me.”Quran (51:56)
In the Islamic texts, Prophet Solomon (Sulaiman) is known for his wisdom and his unique ability to communicate with animals and jinns. This ability was granted to him by God, making Solomon a special figure in Islam, as well as in Jewish and Christian traditions.
Solomon Communicates and Commands Jinns: Stories from Islam
One of the most famous stories involving Solomon and the jinns is related to the construction of the Temple of Solomon. According to Islamic texts, Solomon had control over jinns and used their help in the building process. These jinns were not only laborers but also skilled craftsmen, contributing significantly to the grandeur of the temple. The Quran mentions that Solomon could command the jinns to perform various tasks, including diving into oceans to retrieve treasures or constructing expansive structures.
Another notable story involves the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis). Solomon heard of her and her kingdom’s prosperity and wanted to invite her to worship God. To impress her and show the extent of his God-given power, Solomon ordered a jinn named Ifrit to bring her magnificent throne to him before she arrived. This feat was accomplished with astonishing speed, demonstrating the jinns’ extraordinary abilities and Solomon’s control over them. This story highlights not only the power that Solomon held but also the obedience of the jinns under his command, all by the will of God.
Every Person Has a Jinn Companion: Teachings from Hadith
According to the hadith, which is the second most important source after quran, every person is believed to have a jinn companion, known as a “Qareen.” The concept of the Qareen is fascinating because it introduces the idea that alongside every human, there is an invisible companion from the world of the jinn. This companion is with a person throughout their life, witnessing their actions and, according to some interpretations, influencing their choices towards good or bad depending on the nature of the Qareen itself.
The Prophet Muhammad is said to have spoken about this, emphasizing that even he had a Qareen. However, in his case, he mentioned that Allah helped him over his companion so that it accepted Islam and only incited him to do good.
Living with Jinns: Dos and Don’ts in Popular Culture
In many Islamic cultures, jinns are seen as a real and integral part of existence. People believe that these invisible entities can significantly impact health, attributing some illnesses or odd behaviors to jinn possession. It’s quite common to hear individuals recount experiences of friends or family members being influenced by jinns.
Jinns are also believed to guard certain places or treasures, increasing the likelihood of encounters in abandoned or unclean areas, or during treasure hunts. Their ability to assume human or animal forms makes their presence in an area suspect.
There are specific actions thought to either attract or ward off jinns, including:
- Not pouring boiling water down the drain without mentioning Allah’s name, to avoid harming a jinn or provoking its vengeance.
- Mentioning Allah’s name upon entering places thought to be inhabited by jinns, such as abandoned buildings, as a protective measure.
- Avoiding stepping on blood.
- Performing a ritual sacrifice before moving into a new house to cleanse it of any jinn presence.
Religious figures, like fkihs or imams, are sometimes sought to perform exorcisms with Quranic verses to liberate individuals from jinn possession. However, they’re cautioned against “burning” the jinn during exorcism, as this could lead to retaliation from the jinn’s kin.
What are jinns scared of?
The beliefs surrounding jinns not only vary widely but are also deeply embedded in cultural practices and folklore, making it difficult to pinpoint one universally acknowledged set of fears. However, there are a few things that are commonly believed to deter or scare jinns:
- Recitation of the Quran: It’s widely believed in Islamic tradition that the recitation of the Quran, especially verses like Ayat al-Kursi (The Throne Verse, Quran 2:255) and Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow, Quran 2), can protect individuals from jinns and drive them away.
- Mention of God (Allah) and His Names: Regularly mentioning God’s name and reciting prayers are believed to safeguard individuals from the harm of jinns.
- Iron: In some cultures, iron is considered to have the ability to ward off jinns, similar to folklore in other traditions where iron is believed to protect against fairies or supernatural beings.
- Salt: Salt is often considered a purifying element and is believed in some traditions to deter jinns and protect homes from their influence.
- Ruqyah (Islamic exorcism): This refers to the practice of reciting certain Quranic verses and supplications to protect against or expel jinns.
It’s important to note that these beliefs can vary significantly between different cultures and interpretations of Islamic texts. The concept of jinns is deeply rooted in Islamic theology and cultural folklore, and thus, the practices and beliefs regarding them can be quite diverse.