The World of the Jinn

March 31, 2010

Continued from Page 3

Protection from the Jinn

Because the Jinn can see us while we cannot see them, the Prophet Muhammad taught us many ways to protect ourselves from their harm, such as seeking refuge in Allah (God) from the accursed Satan, reciting chapters 113 and 114 of the Holy Quran, and reciting the words taught by God in the Quran: "Say: ‘My Lord! I seek refuge with You from the whisperings (suggestions) of Satan (devils). And I seek refuge with You, my Lord, lest they may attend (or come near) me'" (Quran 23:97-98).

Saying Bismillah (in the Name of Allah [God]) before entering one's home, before eating or drinking, and before having intercourse will also keep Satan from entering the house or partaking with a person in his food, drink, and sexual activity. Similarly, mentioning the name of Allah before entering the toilet or taking off one's clothes will prevent the Jinn from seeing a person's private parts or harming him, as the Prophet said. Strength of faith and religion in general will also prevent the Jinn from harming a person.

Reciting Al-Kursi verse in Arabic (Quran 2:255) also provides a strong protection against the Jinn, as we learned from the story of Abu Hurairah (one of Muhammad's companions) with a devil. [2]

Also the Prophet Muhammad said: "Do not make your houses like graves, for Satan runs away from a house in which al-Baqarah chapter [chapter 2] is recited." (Narrated by Saheeh Muslim)

These Arabic verses and prophetic sayings were some examples of how a Muslim would get protection from the Jinn. Islam teaches us how to deal with all of God's creation, and not just the Jinn. A true Muslim should not fear Satan or the Jinn, because Islam taught us about them and how to get protection from their harm.

The world of the Jinn is one that is both sinister and intriguing. By knowing of this world we can explain many of the mysteries and issues that bother us. By doing this we can avoid the extremes that the people have gone to, nothing being more extreme then worshipping others besides God. By learning the monotheism of God, we defend ourselves from these hidden allies of Satan:

"Indeed he (Satan) and his tribe watch you from a position where you cannot see them" (Quran 7:27).

Footnotes:

[1] Unlike Christianity, Islam maintains that Satan (Lucifer) was from the Jinn and not an angel. Angels do not have a free will to disobey.

[2] Abu Hurairah (a companion of Muhammad) said: "The Prophet Muhammad put me in charge of guarding compulsory charity collected in the month of Ramadan. Somebody came and began to take away some food-stuff from it. I caught him and said, ‘I must take you to the Prophet of God.' He replied, ‘I am a needy man with a large family, and so I have a pressing need.' So I let him go. When I saw the Prophet next morning, he asked me, ‘O Abu Hurairah! What did your captive do last night?' I said, ‘O Prophet of God! He complained of a pressing need and a big family. I felt pity for him and I let him go.' The prophet said, ‘He told you a lie and he will return.' I was sure according to the saying of the Prophet that he would return. I waited for him. He sneaked up again and began to steal food-stuff from the charity. I caught him and said, ‘I must take you to the Prophet.' He replied, ‘Let go of me, I am a needy man. I have to bear the expenses of a big family. I will not come back.' So I took pity on him and let him go. I went at dawn to the Prophet who asked me, ‘O Abu Hurairah! What did your captive do last night?' I replied, ‘O Prophet of God! He complained of a pressing need and the burden of a big family. I took pity on him and so I let him go.' The Prophet replied, ‘He told you a lie and he will return.' (That man) came again to steal the food-stuff. I arrested him and said, ‘I must take you to the Prophet of God, and this is the last of three times. You promised that you would not come again but you did.' He replied, ‘Let go of me, and I shall teach you some words with which God may benefit you.' I asked, ‘What are those words?' He replied, ‘When you go to bed, recite Al-Kursi verse (Quran 2:255), for there will be a guardian appointed over you from God, and no devil will be able to approach you till morning.' So I let him go. Next morning the Prophet of God asked me, ‘What did your prisoner do last night?' I answered, ‘He promised to teach me some words which he claimed will benefit me before God. So I let him go.' The Prophet asked, ‘What are those words that he taught you?' I said, ‘He told me: When you go to bed, recite Al-Kursi verse from the beginning to the end and that by reciting it, there will be a guardian appointed over you from God who will protect you during the night, and no devil will be able to come near you until morning.' The Prophet said, ‘Verily, he has told you the truth though he is a liar. O Abu Hurairah! Do you know with whom you were speaking for the last three nights?' I said, ‘No.' The prophet replied, ‘That was a devil.'" (Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari)

This article was first published at IslamReligion.com and is reprinted with permission.

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