Peace,
I have had the opportunity to re-write the Jinn article based on some exchanges on the subject and better analysis.
http://free-minds.org/articles/satan/jinn.htmWho are the Jinn? All cultures and peoples, without exception, have beliefs and experiences of the existence of extraterrestrial beings be they called \"ghosts, spirits, aliens, demons, etc.\" In the Arabic culture, these extraterrestrial beings have been given the name \"Jinn\" and are believed to be invisible creatures that possess superhuman powers and even the ability to possess human beings.
While the above paragraph would be written off as \"non-sense\" or \"tall tales\" by most modern critics, we are confronted with a clear reason for examination since God\'s Scripture indeed confirms the existence of these extraterrestrial beings known as Jinn!
\"I did not create the Jinn and the humans except to serve Me.\" (51:56)
This article will attempt to examine the concept of Jinn using the light of the Quran to understand what and who these creatures are.
Jinn Created From Fire\"He created the human from a clay, like pottery. And the Jinn He created from a smokeless fire.\" (55:14-15)
\"And We have created man from a clay hardened and shaped. And the Jinn, We created him before that from the flames of fire.\" (15:26-27)
The first clue we are given about the Jinn is the nature of their composition. God tells us that these beings are created from a \'smokeless fire\' whereas man is created from mud/clay.
Science tells us that the Earth was nothing but a volcanic mass of fire when it was first created, and that water, which is the core element for biological life, did not appear on this planet until after it had cooled for many millions of years. Therefore, if the creation and evolution of man began with the presence of water on Earth, then it is reasonable to assume that the creation of the Jinn began when the Earth was still a hot fiery mass many millions of years ago.
In-fact, the description the Quran gives of Jinn being made from a \'smokeless fire\' fits perfectly with the energy matter known as \"Plasma\" that makes up 99% of the known universe.
\"Plasma is by far the most common form of matter known. Plasma in the stars and in the tenuous space between them make up over 99% of the visible universe and perhaps most of that which is not visible. On earth we live upon an island of \"ordinary\" matter. The different states of matter found on earth are solid, liquid, and gas. We have learned to work, play, and rest using these states of matter. Sir William Crookes, an English physicist, identified another, more fundamental, state of matter in 1879. In 1929, Nobel Laureate Irving Langmuir gave this state a name, plasma. He borrowed the term from medical science because the matter with which he worked resembled life itself. It formed cells through bifurcation and often acted in a complicated and unpredictable manner. Plasma is defined as an assemblage of charged particles called electrons and ions that react collectively to forces exerted by electric and magnetic fields.\"
http://public.lanl.gov/alp/plasma/ubiquitous.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics) Jinn Travel Space \"And we touched the heavens, but found it full of powerful guards and projectiles. And we used to sit in it in places of listening, but anyone who sits now finds a projectile seeking him.\" (72:8-9)
The Quran tells us that Jinn used to move freely about in the galaxy until God restricted their movement to our universe only. As we are talking of energy/plasma beings, then it is reasonable to understand this movement across space at the speed of light or greater since the Jinn are not subject to the restrictions that biological organism are subject to (air, water, gravity, etc.).
Jinn Invisible to Human Eye \"O Children of Adam, do not let the devil afflict you as he evicted your parents from the paradise; he removes from them their garments to show them their lusts. He and his tribe see you from where you do not see them. We have made the devils as allies for those who do not believe.\" (7:27)
\"But the devil whispered to him, he said: \'O Adam, shall I lead you to the tree of immortality and a kingdom which will not waste away?\'\" (20:120)
We are told by the Almighty that, while Jinn are able to see us, we are not able to see them with the naked eye. However, the Jinn are able to communicate \"whisper\" into the human mind as long as the host allows such contact to occur.
Jinn and Human Rivalry \"And We created you, then We shaped you, then We said to the Angels: \'Yield to Adam;\' so they yielded except for Satan, he was not of those who yielded. He said: \'What has prevented you from yielding when I have ordered you?\' He said: \'I am far better than him, You created me from fire and created him from clay!\'\" (7:11-12)
While the Jinn were created long before mankind to uphold God\'s commands and serve Him alone, the Jinn had failed in their task and the mantle of responsibility was passed on from the Jinn to the humans by God\'s decree.
The Jinn, being able to travel the galaxy and eavesdrop, were able to listen to God\'s command that was issued to His angels informing them of the new authority given to the being called \"man\". This knowledge resulted in an exchange between the Jinn (represented by Satan) and the Almighty whereby the Satan seeks permission to remain on Earth and prove that mankind is not fit for the task and is no better than his people.
God\'s Conditions Upon Jinn\"And we touched the heavens, but found it full of powerful guards and projectiles. And we used to sit in it in places of listening, but anyone who sits now finds a projectile seeking him.\" (72:8-9)
\"And entice whoever you can of them with your voice, and mobilize all your forces and men against them, and you may share with them in their money and children, and promise them.? But the devil promises nothing but deceit. \'As for My servants, you will have no power over them.\' And your Lord suffices as a Caretaker.\" (17:64-65)
Although God grants Satan his request to remain on Earth with humans, the following conditions are placed upon the Jinn:
1. Jinn can no longer move about in the galaxy and eavesdrop, they are now restricted to movement in this universe only.
2. Jinn can only whisper/entice the humans that allow themselves to be influenced (i.e. humans may invoke God\'s protection from the whispers/influence of the Jinn).
Good Jinn & Bad Jinn\"And among us are those who are good doers, and some of us are opposite to that, we are in many paths. And we acknowledge that we cannot escape God on Earth, nor can we escape Him if we run. And when we heard the guidance, we believed in it. So whoever believes in his Lord, then he will not fear a decrease in reward, nor a burdensome punishment. And among us are those who submitted, and among us are the compromisers. As for those who have submitted, they have sought what is correct. And as for the compromisers, they are firewood for Hell.\" (72:11-15)
After having related the negative history between mankind and Jinn, it is imperative to note that the Jinn (with the exception of Satan) were given a chance by the Almighty to reflect upon their decision and to repent to God before the Day of Judgment approaches. Indeed, according to the events in sura 72, many Jinn have already repented and accepted to follow the way of God rather than follow the arrogance of Satan and be punished for eternity with him.
Solomon and the Jinn\"And for Solomon the wind was given, traveling one month coming and one month going, and We caused a spring of tar to flow for him. And from among the Jinn are those that worked for him by his Lord\'s leave; and any one of them who turns from Our commands, We shall cause him to taste the retribution of the Fire. They made for him what he desired of enclosures, and statues, and pools of deep reservoirs, and heavy pots. ?O family of David, work to show thanks.? Only a few of My servants are appreciative. Then, when We decreed death for him, nothing informed them of his death until a worm kept eating from his staff, so when he fell down, the Jinn realised that if they had known the unseen, they would not have remained in the humiliating retribution.\" (34:12-14)
The most famous story of the Jinn is that of the prophet Solomon and the power he was given by God over them. The story reveals many things about these beings which can be summarized as follows:
- Jinn and humans can communicate;
- Jinn do not follow human will/instructions unless forced by God to do so;
- Jinn can affect the material world (i.e. they can move physical items or even craft objects);
- Jinn do not follow the same concept of time as humans (i.e. Jinn can stay for days without moving as evidenced by the Jinn not noticing Solomon\'s death until a worm finished eating its way through his staff for the staff to break).
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Conclusion1. Jinn are beings made of energy \"Plasma\" that is derived from smokeless fire;
2. Jinn were created before mankind to serve God and uphold his commands;
3. Jinn were able to travel the galaxy and listen-in on God\'s commands to His angels;
4. Jinn failed in the task of upholding God\'s commands and were replaced in authority by mankind;
5. Satan pleaded with God to remain on Earth and prove that mankind is unworthy;
6. God granted Satan\'s request, with restriction on the movement of Jinn to this universe only;
7. Jinn camp is split between those who repented to God and those who insist on Satan\'s way;
8. Human messengers are sent not only to revert mankind, but also to revert Jinn;
9. Jinn may whisper to all humans, except those who invoke God\'s protection;
10. Jinn may move physical objects, possess artistic as well as construction abilities.