The Jinn

« on: February 03, 2010, 07:05:42 PM »

The Qur'an and Sunnah indicate that the jinn exist and they are part of the creation of Allah.

Shaykhu'l-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said: “All nations believe in the jinn and they have had many encounters
with them, which it would take too long to describe. No one denies the existence of the jinn except for a very
few ignorant philosophers and doctors and the like.” (Majmu al-Fatawa, 19/32)

Ibn Hazm said: “The jinn are real, and they are creatures created by Allah. Among them are kafirs and
believers. They can see us but we cannot see them. They eat, have children and die. Allah says: “O you
assembly of jinn and Mankind!” (al-Anam 6/130); “And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless
flame of fire.” (al-Hijr 15/27); “And of us some are Muslims (who have submitted to Allah, after listening to
this Qur'an), and of us some are al-Qaasitun (disbelievers those who have deviated from the Right Path)’.
And whosoever has embraced Islam (i.e. has become a Muslim by submitting to Allah), then such have
sought the Right Path. And as for the Qaasitun (disbelievers who deviated from the Right Path), they shall be
firewood for Hell.” (al-Jinn 72/14-15); “Verily, he and Qabiluhu (his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe) see
you from where you cannot see them.” (al-Araf 7/27); “Will you then take him (Iblis) and his offspring as
protectors and helpers rather than Me.” (al-Kahf 18/50); “Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish.” (al-
Rahman 55/26); “Everyone shall taste death.” (Al-i Imran 3/185).” (al-Muhalla, 1/34-35)

Allah created them from fire before He created Adam: “And indeed, We created man from dried (sounding)
clay of altered mud. And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame of fire.” (al-Hijr 15/26-
27); “And the jinns did He create from a smokeless flame of fire.” (al-Rahman 55/15) 

It was narrated from Aishah (raa) that RasulAllah (saw) said: “The angels were created from light, the jinn
were created from fire, and Adam was created from that which has been described to you.” (Muslim)

Just as Adam (as) had descendents, so Iblis had descendents too): “Will you then take him (Iblis) and his
offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while they are enemies to you? What an evil is the
exchange for the zalimun (polytheists, and wrongdoers, etc).” (al-Kahf 18/50)

Allah created the jinn and mankind to worship Him with no partner or associate. Whoever obeys Him will
enter Paradise and whoever disobeys Him will enter Hell: “And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind
except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them (i.e. provision for
themselves or for My creatures) nor do I ask that they should feed Me (i.e. feed themselves or My creatures).
Verily, Allah is the All Provider, Owner of Power, the Most Strong.” (adh-Dhariyat 51/56); “O assembly of
jinns and mankind! Did there not come to you Messengers from amongst you, reciting unto you My Verses?”
(al-Anam 6/130)

The jinn are slaves of Allah who are accountable and subject to commands and prohibitions, just like human
beings. There are believers, disbelievers and evildoers among them who obey Allah and those who disobey
Him. Those of them who do good will enter Paradise and those who do evil will deserve to be punished just
like mankind. Allah (swt) commands:

“There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary; we are groups having different ways
(religious sects).” (al-Jinn 72/11); “And of us some are Muslims (who have submitted to Allah, after listening
to this Qur'an), and of us some are al-Qaasitun (disbelievers those who have deviated from the Right Path).
And whosoever has embraced Islam (i.e. has become a Muslim by submitting to Allah), then such have
sought the Right Path. And as for the Qaasitun (disbelievers who deviated from the Right Path), they shall be
firewood for Hell.” (al-Jinn 72/14-15)

With regard to their being accountable and subject to commands and prohibitions, the scholars are
unanimously agreed that they are accountable. Some of the scholars suggested that the accountability to
which they are subject is exactly the same as that to which human beings are subject, whilst others suggested
that their accountability is in accordance with their abilities and capabilities.

Shaykhu'l-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said: “They are enjoined concerning basic matters and minor issues
according to their nature; they are not like human beings in essence and reality, so the commands and
prohibitions to which they are subject are not like those to which humans are subject, but they have in
common with humans, the fact that they are subject commands and prohibitions, and rulings on what is
permitted and what is forbidden. Concerning this I know of no dispute among the Muslims” (Majmu al-
Fatawa, 4/233)

The jinn and mankind will all be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection before the Lord of the
Worlds. The jinn will be called to account on the day of Resurrection. Mujahid said, concerning the ayah:
“… but the jinns know well that they have indeed to appear (before Him) - (i.e., they will be brought to
account).” (al-Saffat 37/158): “They will be brought to judgement.” (Bukhari)

Whoever among the jinn or mankind tries to flee from the Reckoning will never be able to do so. None of
them will be able to postpone that or flee from it: “O assembly of jinn and men! If you have power to pass
beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, then pass beyond (them)! But you will never be able to pass
them, except with authority (from Allah)!” (al-Rahman 55/33); “There will be sent against you both,
smokeless flames of fire and (molten) brass, and you will not be able to defend yourselves.” (al-Rahman
55/35)

When RasulAllah (saw) was in Makkah, a group of the jinn came to him; they heard the Qur'an and were
moved by it: “And (remember) when We sent towards you (Muhammad) a group (three to ten persons) of the
jinn, (quietly) listening to the Qur'an. When they stood in the presence thereof, they said: “Listen in silence!”
And when it was finished, they returned to their people, as warners.” (al-Ahqaf 46/29)

Some of the jinn believed when they heard the Qur'an: “Say (O Muhammad): ‘It has been revealed to me that
a group (from three to ten in number) of jinn listened (to this Qur'an). They said: “Verily, we have heard a
wonderful Recitation (this Qur'an)! It guides to the Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we shall
never join (in worship) anything with our Lord (Allah).” (al-Jinn 72/1-2)

The story of how the first jinn of this ummah became Muslim was narrated by Abd-Allah ibn Abbas (ra),
who said: “RasulAllah (saw) went out with a group of his Companions heading for the marketplace of
Ukaaz. This was when the shayatin were prevented from getting any news from heaven, and shooting stars
had been sent against them. The shayatin went back to their people, who said, ‘What is the matter with you?’
They said, ‘We cannot get news from heaven, and shooting stars were sent against us.’ Their people said,
‘Nothing is stopping you from hearing news from heaven except some new event that must have happened.
Go and look in the east and the west of the earth, and see if you can find out what it is that is stopping you
from hearing news from heaven.’ Those who went out in the direction of Tihaamah came upon RasulAllah
(saw) in Nakhlah, when he was on his way to Ukaaz, and found him leading his Companions in Fajr prayer.
When they heard the Qur'an, they listened to it and said, ‘By Allah, this is what is stopping us from hearing
news from heaven.’ When they went back to their people, they said, ‘O our people, we have heard a
wonderful Recital (the Qur'an). It guides to the Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we shall never
join (in worship) anything with our Lord (Allah). (al-Jinn 72/2) Then Allah revealed to RasulAllah (saw) the
words: “Say (O Muhammad): ‘It has been revealed to me that a group of jinns listened (to this Qur'an)…’ (al-
Jinn 72/1), and Allah revealed to him what the jinn had said.” (Bukhari)

Both Adam and Iblis fell into sin, but Adam regretted it and repented, and Allah accepted his repentance:
“Then Adam received from his Lord Words. And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily,
He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful.” (al-Baqarah 2/37)

But Iblis refused and was arrogant, so he was one of the disbelievers: “And (remember) when We said to the
angels: ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam.’ And they prostrated except Iblis (Satan), he refused and was
proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allah).” (al-Baqarah 2/34)

Whoever disobeys Allah out of pride and arrogance, among the jinn and mankind, is following the shaytan
and will be gathered with him in the Fire of Hell if he does not repent, as Allah said to Iblis: “(Allah) said:
‘The truth is; and the truth I say That I will fill Hell with you (Iblis) and those of them (mankind) that follow
you, together.” (Sad 38/84-85)

The friends of Allah, among the jinn and mankind, co-operate in righteousness and piety, and the friends of
the shaytan, among the jinn and mankind, co-operate in sin and transgression: “And so We have appointed
for every Prophet enemies; Shayaatin (devils) among mankind and jinn, inspiring one another with adorned
speech as a delusion (or by way of deception). If your Lord had so willed, they would not have done it; so
leave them alone with their fabrications.” (al-Anam 6/112)

The jinn used to have places near the heavens where they would sit to eavesdrop on the inhabitants of the
heavens, but when Allah sent RasulAllah (saw) they were no longer allowed to do that. Whoever among
them tries to listen is burned with a flaming fire, as Allah tells us that the jinn said: “And we have sought to
reach the heaven; but found it filled with stern guards and flaming fires. And verily, we used to sit there in
stations, to (steal) a hearing, but any who listens now will find a flaming fire watching him in ambush.” (al-
Jinn 72/8-9)

The jinn eat and drink. Ibn Mas’ud (ra) said: “RasulAllah (saw) said: ‘Someone from among the jinn called
me, and I went with him and recited Qur'an for them.’ He took us and showed us the traces of where they had
been and the traces of their fires. They asked him for food and he said, ‘You can have every bone on which
the name of Allah has been mentioned that comes into your possession, as meat, and all the droppings as
food for your animals.’ RasulAllah (saw) said: ‘So do not use (these things) for cleaning yourselves (after
relieving oneself), for they are the food and provision of your brothers.” (Muslim). According to another
report: “A delegation of jinn from Nasibin came to me, and what good jinn they are! They asked me for food
and I prayed to Allah for them, so that they would not pass by bones or droppings, but they would find food
on them.” (Bukhari). The believing jinn may eat any bone on which the name of Allah has been mentioned,
because RasulAllah (saw) did not permit them to have anything on which Allah’s name has not been
mentioned; those are for the kuffar among the jinn.

With regard to their lives and dwelling places, they are like all other creatures, they have their own lives, they
get married and produce offspring: “Will you then take him (Iblis) and his offspring as protectors and helpers
rather than Me while they are enemies to you?” (al-Kahf 15/50)

With regard to their dwellings they live on this earth where we do, they often gather in ruins and unclean
places like toilets, bathrooms, dunghills, garbage dumps and graveyards. Hence RasulAllah (saw) taught us
to take precautions when entering such places, by reciting the adhkaar (prayers) prescribed by Islam. One of
these was reported by Anas ibn Malik (ra), who said: “When RasulAllah (saw) entered the toilet, he would
say: ‘Allahumma innee a’udhu bika min al-khubuthi wa’l-khabaa’ith (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from
the evil ones, male and female).” (Bukhari; Muslim) RasulAllah (saw) adviced his ummah to do the same:
“These toilets are haunted (inhabited by devils), so when anyone of you goes to the toilet let him say:
“Audhu Billahi min al-khubthi wa’l-khabaa’ith (I seek refuge Allah from the male and female devils).” (Abu
Dawud)

With regard to the phrase al-khubthi wa’l-kabaa’ith (translated above as “male and female devils”), al-
Khattabi explained that khubuth is the plural of khabith (evil or dirty – masculine form), and khabaa’ith is the
plural of khabithah (evil or dirty – feminine form), and that what is meant is male and female shayatin.
Therefore al-khubth may mean evil and al-khabaa’ith may mean evil spirits, which includes both male and
female devils.

Allah has created different types of jinn. it is proven in the Sunnah and from real life that the jinn appear in
different forms. Among them are some who can take on different forms, such as dogs and snakes; some who
are like flying winds with wings; and some who can travel and rest.

Abu Tha’labah al-Khushani said: “RasulAllah (saw) said: ‘The jinn are of three types: a types that has wings,
and they fly through the air; a type that looks like snakes and dogs; and a type that stops for a rest then
resumes its journey.” (Tahawi, Mushkil al-Athaar, 4/95; Tabarani; al-Kabir, 22/214)

Among the clearest evidence of that from the Sunnah is the story of Abu Hurayrah (ra) who said:
“RasulAllah (saw) put me in charge of guarding the zakaah of Ramadan. Someone came to me and started
scooping up some of the food, and I said, “By Allah, I will take you to RasulAllah (saw).” He complained of
being in need and having dependents, so Abu Hurayrah took pity on him and let him go. This happened three
times, and on the third occasion, Abu Hurayrah said: “I will take you to RasulAllah. This is the third time and
each time you say that you will not come back, then you come back.” He said, “Let me go and I will teach
you something by means of which Allah will benefit you.” I said: “What is it?” he said: “When you go to
bed, recite Ayat al-Kursi, ‘Allah! Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), Al-
Hayyul-Qayyum (the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists)…’ (al-Baqarah 2/255)
until you complete the verse, then you will always have a protector from Allah, and no devil will come near
you until morning comes. So I let him go, and the next morning I told RasulAllah (saw) what had happened.
RasulAllah (saw) said: “He told you the truth, although he is a liar. Do you know who you have been
speaking to for three nights, O Abu Hurayrah?” He said: “No.” He (saw) said: “That was a devil (a shaytan).”
(Bukhari)

Ibn Hajar said: “This hadith teaches us a number of things…that one of the characteristics of the shaytan is
lying, and that he may appear in various forms that may be seen, and that the words of Allah, “Verily, he and
Qabiluhu (his soldiers from the jinn or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them.” (al-Araf 7/27),
apply to when he is in the form with which he was created.” (Fathu'l-Bari)

It was narrated that the shaytan appeared to Quraysh in the form of Suraaqah ibn Malik ibn Ju’sham and
encouraged them to fight RasulAllah (saw). That happened during the battle of Badr. Ibn Jarir al-Tabari
narrated in his Tafsir (12564) that Urwah ibn al-Zubayr said: “When Quraysh decided to march, mention was
made of what was between them and Bani Bakr – i.e., war – and that almost made them change their minds.
Then Iblis appeared to them in the form of Suraaqah ibn Ju’sham al-Madlaji, who was one of the nobles of
Banu Kinaanah, and said: “I will protect you against Kinaanah so that Kinaanah will not be able to do you
any harm.” So they went ahead with their plan. This was also quoted by Ibn Kathir in al-Bidaayah wa’l-
Nihaayah, (5/62).

It is narrated that Abu Sa’ed al-Khudri (ra) said: “I heard RasulAllah (saw) say: “In Madinah there is a group
of the jinn who have become Muslim, so whoever sees any of these creatures let him give it a warning three
times, then if it appears after that he may kill it, for it is a devil.” (Muslim)

The word translated as “creatures” here refers to kinds of snakes that appear in houses; they are not to be
killed until they have been given a warning three times, because they may be jinn. (Ibnu'l-Athir, Gharib al-
Hadith)

Imam Nawawi said: “What this means is that if they do not disappear after being warned, then they are not
the kind of creatures that inhabit houses and they are not among the jinn who have become Muslim, rather
that is a devil so there is no sin on you if you kill it and Allah will never give the shaytan a way to prevail
over you by taking revenge, unlike the creatures (snakes) and jinn who have become Muslim. And Allah
knows best.” (Sharh Sahih Muslim, 14/236)

There have been many such incidents. Shaykhu'l-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said: “The jinn may appear in human
and animal form, so they may appear as snakes and scorpions etc, or in the form of camels, cattle, sheep,
horses, mules and donkeys, or in the form of birds, or in the form of humans, as the shaytan came to Quraysh
in the form of Suraaqah ibn Malik ibn Ju’sham when they wanted to set out for Badr.” (Majmu al-Fatawa,
19/44)

The jinn have led many people astray by appearing in the forms of awliya of Allah and righteous people.
Shaykhu'l-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said: “The shaytan often appears in the form of the person who is being
called upon and asked for help, if he is dead or sometimes if he is alive, without the person who called upon
him realizing it. Indeed the shaytan may appear in his form and the misguided mushrik who is seeking that
person’s help may think that the person himself has responded to him when in fact it is the shaytan. This also
happens to the kuffar who seek the help of those of whom they think well, whether they are dead or alive,
such as the Christians who seek the help of George or others of their saints, and it happens to those so-called
Muslims who commit shirk and follow misguidance by seeking the help of those who are dead or absent. The
shaytan appears to them in the form of the one upon whom they call, without him realizing that…More than
one person has told me that they sought my help, and each of them told me a different story. I told each one
of them that I did not answer any one of them and I did not know that they were seeking my help. It was said
that this was an angel, but I said: Angels do not help mushriks, rather that was a devil who wanted to
misguide him.” (Majmu al-Fatawa, 19/47-48)

Shaykhu'l-Islam ibn Taymiyyah quoted an incident about Abdul-Qadir Jilani: “I was once in worship when I
saw a magnificent throne with a light in it. The light said: O Abdul-Qadir, I am your lord and I have made
permissible for you what I have prohibited for others. I said: “Are you Allah - other than whom there is no
other deity?! Away with you O enemy of Allah!” So the throne crumbled and the light became darkness and
said: “O Abdul-Qadir, you have escaped from me because of your understanding of the religion and your
knowledge of your status. Indeed I have corrupted seventy men in this way.” He (Abdul-Qadir) was later
asked: ‘How did you know it was a shaytan?” He responded: “He said to me; ‘I have made permissible for
you what I have prohibited for others.’ And I knew that Muhammad’s (saw) legislation does not change and
cannot be abrogated, and because he was able to say; ‘I am your lord.’ but was not able to say; ‘I am Allah -
other then whom there is no other deity.” (Qa’idah Jaliyyah fi at Tawassul wa'l-Wasilah, 44)

Allah clearly states that Iblis was one of the jinn, and the jinn are not angels. The most clear evidence
concerning this matter, the evidence cited by those who said that he was not an angel because of the ayah:
“He (Iblis) was one of the jinn; he disobeyed the Command of his Lord.” (al-Kahf 18/50) This is the clearest
text from the revelation that proves this point. 

Among those who stated that he was not originally one of the angels based on the apparent meaning of this
ayah was Hasan al-Basri, who was supported by al-Zamakhshari. (Kashshaf) Qurtubi said in his tafsir of
Surat al-Baqarah: “The idea that he was one of the angels is the view of the majority, Ibn Abbas, Ibn Mas’ud,
Ibn Jurayj, Ibn al-Musayyib, Qatadah and others. It is the view chosen by Shaykh Abu’l-Hasan and regarded
as more correct by Tabari, and it is the apparent meaning of the phrase “except Iblis” (al-Kahf 18/50)

What the mufassirin have quoted from a group of the salaf, such as Ibn Abbas and others, that he was one of
the noblest of the angels, one of the keepers of Paradise, and that he controlled the affairs of the first heaven,
and that his name was Azaazil (Azazel) is all taken from the Isra’iliyyaat (reports narrated from Jewish
sources) and is not reliable.

Ibliss – may Allah curse him– is no doubt one of the jinn. He was not an angel for a single day, not even for
an instant. The angels were created noble; they never disobey Allah when He commands them to do
something and they do what they are commanded. This is clearly stated in the Qur'anic texts which indicate
that Iblis is one of the jinn and not one of the angels. These texts include the following:

Allah says: “And (remember) when We said to the angels: “Prostrate yourselves unto Adam.” So they
prostrated themselves except Iblis (Satan). He was one of the jinn; he disobeyed the Command of his Lord.
Will you then take him (Iblis) and his offspring as protectors and helpers rather than Me while they are
enemies to you? What an evil is the exchange for the Zalimun (polytheists, and wrongdoers, etc).” (al-Kahf
18/50)

Allah stated that He created the jinn from fire, as we mentioned above: “And the jinn, We created aforetime
from the smokeless flame of fire.” (al-Hijr 15/27); “And the jinn He created from a smokeless flame of fire.”
(al-Rahman 55/15)

And it was narrated in a sahih hadith that Aishah (raa) said: RasulAllah (saw) said: “The angels were created
from light, the jinn were created from smokeless fire and Adam was created from that which has been
described to you.” (Muslim; Ahmad, Musnad; Bayhaqi, al-sunnan al-Kubra, # 18207; Ibn Hibban, # 6155)

One of the attributes of the angels is that they were created from light, and the jinn were created from fire. It
was mentioned in the Qur'an that Iblis was created from fire. This is what Iblis himself said when Allah
asked him the reason for his refusal to prostrate to Adam when Allah commanded him to do so. Iblis said: “I
am better than him (Adam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay.” (al-Araf 7/12; Sad
38/76) This indicates that he was one of the jinn.

Allah has described the angels in His Book, where He says: “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 Allah, but do that which
they are commanded.” (at-Tahrim 66/6); “And they say: ‘The Most Gracious (Allah) has begotten a son (or
children).’ Glory to Him! They (whom they call children of Allah i.e. the angels, Isa  son of Maryam, Uzair
(Ezra)], are but honoured slaves. They speak not until He has spoken, and they act on His Command.” (al-
Anbiya 21/26-27); “And to Allah prostrate all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth, of the moving
(living) creatures and the angels, and they are not proud (i.e. they worship their Lord who is Allah, with
humility). They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.” (an-Nahl 16/49-50)

So it is not possible for the angels to disobey their Lord, because they are protected from sin and they are
naturally inclined to obey Allah.
The fact that Iblis is not one of the angels means that he is not compelled to obey Allah. He has freedom of
will just as we humans do. Allah says: “Verily, We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or
ungrateful.” (al-Insan 76/3

There are also Muslims and kafirs among the jinn. He says: “Say (O Muhammad): ‘It has been revealed to
me that a group (from three to ten in number) of jinn listened (to this Qur'an). They said: ‘Verily, we have
heard a wonderful Recitation (this Qur'an)! It guides to the Right Path, and we have believed therein, and we
shall never join (in worship) anything with our Lord (Allah).” [al-Jinn 72/1-2]

In the same surah, it states that the jinn said: “And indeed when we heard the Guidance (this Qur'an), we
believed therein (Islamic Monotheism), and whosoever believes in his Lord shall have no fear, either of a
decrease in the reward of his good deeds or an increase in the punishment for his sins. And of us some are
Muslims (who have submitted to Allah, after listening to this Qur'an), and of us some are al-Qaasitun
(disbelievers those who have deviated from the Right Path).” (al-Jinn 72/13-14)

Ibn Kathir said: “Hasan al-Basri said: Iblis was not one of the angels, not even for a single moment. He is the
father of the jinn, just as Adam (as) is the father of mankind. This was narrated by Tabari with a sahih
isnaad.” (Tafsir, 3/89)

Some of the scholars said that Iblis was one of the angels, that he was the peacock of the angels, that he was
the one among the angels who strove the hardest in worship…and other reports, most of which come from
the Isra’iliyyaat (stories and reports from Jewish sources), and some of which contradict the clear texts of the
Qur'an.

Ibn Kathir said, explaining this: “A lot of these reports were transmitted from the Salaf, and most of them
come from the Isra’iliyyaat, which may be been transmitted in order to be examined (i.e., as opposed to being
accepted as is). Allah knows best about the veracity or otherwise of many of them. Some of them are
definitely to be rejected, because they go against the truth which we hold in our hands. In the Qur'an we have
sufficient so that we have no need of previous reports, because hardly any of them are free of distortions,
with things added or taken away. Many things have been fabricated in them, for they did not have people
who had memorized things precisely by heart (huffaaz) who could eliminate the distortions created by
extremists and fabricators, unlike this ummah which has its imams, scholars, masters, pious and righteous
people, brilliant critics and men of excellent memory who recorded the hadiths and classified them, stating
whether they were sahih (sound), hasan (good), da’if (weak), mawdu (fabricated), matruk (to be ignored).
They identified the fabricators and liars, and those about whom nothing was known, and other kinds of men
(i.e., narrators). All of this afforded protection to RasulAllah (saw), the Seal of the Messengers and the
Leader of Mankind, so that nothing would be attributed to him falsely and nothing would be transmitted from
him that he did not say or do. May Allah be pleased with them and make them pleased (by rewarding them),
and make the Paradise of al-Firdaws their eternal abode.” (Tafsir al-Qur'an il-‘Azim, 3/90)

Iblis is the father of all of the jinn. The devils (shayatin) are the kuffar of the jinn. Allah says of the accursed
Iblis: “except Iblis (Satan). He was one of the jinn; he disobeyed the Command of his Lord.” (al-Kahf 18/50)

Many scholars are of the view that Iblis is the father of all of the jinn, both the believing and disbelieving
ones among them. He is their origin and they are his offspring. This view was narrated from Ibn Abbas (ra),
Mujahid, Qatadah, Hasan al-Basri and others. (Tabari, Tafsir, 1/507; Suyuti, al-Durr al-Manthur, 5/402)
There is a weak hadith concerning that Iblis is the father of all jins, which is attributed to RasulAllah (saw).
(Tabarani, al-Mu’jam al-Awsat, 6/197) Shaykhu'l-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah called Iblis the father of the jinn in
more than one place. (Majmu al-Fatawa, 4/346, 235) as did his student Ibn Qayyim, then Ibn Hajar. (Fathu'l-
Bari, 6/369)

There is no doubt that the jinn die, for they are included in the words of Allah: “Whatsoever is on it (the
earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will remain forever.” (al-Rahman
55/26-27)

Ibn Kathir said: “Here Allah tells us that all the inhabitants of the earth will perish and die, as will all the
inhabitants of heaven, except for whomsoever Allah wills, and nothing will be left except His Noble Face,
for the Lord does not die, rather He is the Ever-Living who will never die.” (Tafsir al-Qur'an il-Azim, 4/273)
It was narrated from Ibn Abbas (ra) that RasulAllah (saw) used to say, “Allahumma inni a’udhu bi ‘izzatika
laa ilaaha illa anta an tadillani, anta al-hayyu alladhi laa yamut wa’l-jinn wa’l-ins yamutun (O Allah, I seek
refuge in Your glory, there is no god but You, against being led astray, for You are the Ever-Living Who
does not die, but the jinn and mankind will die).” (Bukhari; Muslim)

The world of the jinn is an independent and separate world, with its own distinct nature and features that are
hidden from the world of humans. Jinns and humans have some things in common, such as the possession of
understanding and the choice between the way of good and the way of evil. The word jinn comes from an
Arabic root meaning “hidden from sight”. The jinn are with us on this earth, but by the mercy of Allah they
see us and we do not see them, as Allah says of Iblis and his tribe: “Verily, he and Qabiluhu (his soldiers
from the jinn or his tribe) see you from where you cannot see them.” (al-Araf 7/27)

It should be noted that the world of the jinn is the world of the unseen, and we do not know anything about it
except that which Allah has told us in His Book or on the lips of RasulAllah (saw). Based on this, we cannot
say anything about them except that which has been narrated in the texts of Islam; anything other than that is
hidden from us. Allah says: “And follow not (O man, i.e., say not, or do not, or witness not) that of which
you have no knowledge. Verily, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart of each of those ones will be
questioned (by Allah).” (al-Isra 17/36)

Whoever can see you when you cannot see him, and he is your enemy, is more dangerous. So you must
always beware of him and protect yourself from the devils among the jinn and mankind.

Logged

"O my people! Truly I do fear for you something like the Day (of disaster) of the
Confederates (in sin)! Something like the fate of the People of Nuh, the Ad, and the Thamud,
and those who came after them: but Allah never wishes injustice to His servants."

Abu Isra'il Re: The Jinn

Global « Reply #1 on: February 05, 2010, 01:26:42 AM »
Moderator
Sr. Member There is something which is called the qarin, which Allah has caused to accompany every
human being. Every individual among the sons of Adam has a jinn who has been appointed
Posts: 344 to be his constant companion (qarin). This qarin pushes a person to do evil things and to
disobey Allah, with the exception of RasulAllah (saw), Allah says:

“His companion (qarin) will say: ‘Our Lord! I did not push him to transgression, (in
disbelief, oppression, and evil deeds), but he was himself in error far astray.’ Allah will
say: ‘Dispute not in front of Me, I had already in advance sent you the threat. The Sentence
that comes from Me cannot be changed, and I am not unjust to the slaves.” (Qaf 50/27-29)

Ibn Kathir said: “His companion (qarin) will say’ Ibn Abbas (ra), Mujahid, Qatadah and
others said: this refers to the devil who is appointed to accompany him. ‘Our Lord! I did
not push him to transgression’ means, he will disown that person on the Day of Judgement,
and will say, ‘Our Lord! I did not push him to transgression’ meaning, I did not lead him
astray. ‘but he was himself in error far astray’ means, he was misguided in himself,
receptive to falsehood and resistant to the truth –as Allah says elsewhere: “And shaytan
will say when the matter has been decided: “Verily, Allah 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 (shaytan) as a partner with
Allah (by obeying me in the life of the world). Verily, there is a painful torment for the
Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers).” (Ibrahim, 14/22) The phrase ‘Dispute not in front
of Me’ refers to what Allah will say to the human and his companion from among the jinn,
when they dispute before Him, and the human says, ‘O Lord, this one led me astray from
the Reminder after it had come to me’ and the devil will say, ‘Our Lord! I did not push him
to transgression, (in disbelief, oppression, and evil deeds), but he was himself in error far
astray’ i.e., from the path of truth. Allah will say, ‘Dispute not in front of Me’ meaning, in
My presence. ‘I had already in advance sent you the threat’ means, I sent the warning on
the lips of the Messengers, and I sent down the Books, so proof and evidence was
established against you. ‘The Sentence that comes from Me cannot be changed’ Mujahid
said, this means I have passed My judgement. ‘and I am not unjust to the slaves’ means, I
do not punish anyone for the sin of another, and I only punish a person for his sin after
proof has been established against him.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 4/227)

It was narrated from Abd-Allah Ibn Mas’ud (ra) that RasulAllah (saw) said: “There is not
one of you who does not have a jinn appointed to be his constant companion. They said,
‘And you too, O RasulAllah?’ He (saw) said, ‘Me too, but Allah has helped me and he has
submitted (he became Muslim), so that he only helps me to do good.” (Muslim). According
to another report RasulAllah (saw) said: “…There is assigned to him a companion from
among the jinn and a companion from among the angels.” (Muslim)

There is a difference of scholarly opinion as to the meaning of the word “fa aslama” in this
hadith. This dispute and the most correct view was mentioned by Nawawi in his
commentary on this hadith. Imam Nawawi included this in a chapter which he called: Baab
Tahrish al-shaytan wa Ba’thihi Saraayaahu li Fitnat il-Naas wa anna ma’a kulli insaanin
qarin (Chapter on the evil of the shaytan and his sending his troops to tempt the people, and
the fact that there is a jinn-companion with every human being).

Imam Nawawi said: "With regard to the words of RasulAllah (saw): “There is none of you
who does not have a companion (qarin) appointed for him from among the jinn.” They
said, “Even you?” He said, “Even me, but Allah helped me against him fa aslama (or fa
aslamu), so he only tells me to do that which is good. There are two well-known views that
have been reported. Those who read the phrase as fa aslamu said that it means, “So I am
safe (aslamu) from his evil and temptation.” Those who read it as fa aslama said that it
means, “The qarin became Muslim (aslama) and became a believer, so he only tells me to
do that which is good. They differed as to which view is correct. Khattabi said: The correct
version is fa aslamu (so I am safe from him). Qadi Iyad thought that fa aslama (so he
became Muslim) was correct, and this is the preferred version, because he (saw) then said,
“so he only tells me to do that which is good.” And they differed concerning the report that
says fa aslama. It was said that it means he (the qarin) submitted in the sense of
surrendering, and it appears in this form (fa astaslama – so he gave up and surrendered) in
reports narrated elsewhere than in Sahih Muslim. And it was said that it means that he
become a Muslim and a believer. This is the apparent meaning. Qadi said: Know that the
ummah is agreed upon the fact that RasulAllah (saw) was protected from shaytan,
physically and mentally, and with regard to his speech. This hadith contains a reference to
the warning against the fitnah (temptation, trial) and whispers of the qarin (constant
companion from among the jinn). We know that he is with us so we should beware of him
as much as possible.” (Sharh Sahih Muslim, 17/175)

It was narrated from Abd-Allah ibn Umar (ra) that RasulAllah (saw) said: “If anyone of
you is praying, he should not let anyone pass in front of him; if that person insists then he
should fight him for there is a qarin with him.” (Muslim)

Shawkani said: “The phrase ‘for there is a qarin with him’according to al-Qaamus (an
Arabic-language dictionary) the word qarin refers to a companion; the shaytan always
accompanies man and never leaves him. This is what is referred to here.” (Nayl al-Awtaar,
3/7)

Having one’s qarin become a Muslim was something that was unique to RasulAllah (saw).
It was mentioned by Abu Na’im al-Asbahaani: "It was said aslama meaning he believed.
RasulAllah (saw) was the only one whose qarin became a Muslim and a believer." (Dalaa’il
al-Nubuwwah, 1/185)

Allah has given the jinn powers that he has not given to humans. Allah has told us about
some of their powers, such as the ability to move and travel quickly. An ifrit from among
the jinn guaranteed to the Prophet Sulayman (as) that he would bring the throne of the
Queen of Yemen to Jerusalem in a moment faster than that needed for a man to get up from
where he was sitting. Allah says:

“An ifrit (strong one) from the jinns said: ‘I will bring it (her throne) 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 Sulayman saw it placed before him, he said, ‘This is by
the Grace of my Lord…” (al-Naml 27/39-40)

It is proved in the sunnah that the jinn are stealing from humankind. It was narrated from
Jaabir ibn Abd-Allah (ra) that he heard RasulAllah (saw) say: “When a man enters his
house, and mentions Allah (awj) when he enters and when he eats, the shaytan says: ‘You
have no place to stay and no dinner.’ But if he enters and does not mention Allah when he
enters, the shaytan says, ‘You have found a place to stay.’ And if he does not mention
Allah when he eats, he says: ‘You have found a place to stay and dinner.” (Muslim)

It was narrated from Jaabir (ra) that RasulAllah (saw) said: “Cover vessels, tie up water-
skins, close doors and extinguish lamps, for the shaytan does not undo water-skins or open
doors or uncover vessels. If one of you cannot find anything but a stick to place over his
vessels, or to mention the name of Allah, let him do so…” (Muslim)

It was also narrated with the following wording: “Shut your door and mention the name of
Allah; extinguish your lamps and mention the name of Allah; tie up your water-skins and
mention the name of Allah; cover your vessels and mention the name of Allah, even if you
just place something on top of it.” (Bukhari)

Ibn Hajar said, concerning the lessons learned from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (ra) and his
conversation with the jinni who was stealing from the zakaah dates which we had
mentioned above: “The jinn eat human food, and they speak human words, and they steal
and cheat. It also points to the virtue of Ayat al-Kursiy and the virtue of the last verses of
Surat al-Baqarah, and tells us that the jinn can get food over which the name of Allah has
not been mentioned.” (Fathu'l-Bari)

Jinn can enter human being, Allah says: “Those who eat Ribaa will not stand (on the Day
of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by shaytan leading him to
insanity. That is because they say: ‘Trading is only like Ribaa…” (al-Baqarah 2/275)

Qurtubi said: “This ayah is proof that those people are wrong who deny that epilepsy is
caused by the jinn and claim that its causes are only physical, and that the shaytan does not
enter people or cause madness.” (Tafsir al-Qurtubi, 3/355)

Ibn Kathir said: “They will not rise from their graves on the Day of Resurrection except
like the way in which the epileptic rises during his seizure, when he is beaten by the
shaytan. This is because they will rise in a very bad state. Ibn Abbas (ra) said: the one who
consumes ribaa will rise on the Day of Resurrection crazy and choking.” (Tafsir, 1/32)

It was narrated from Abu’l-Yusr, RasulAllah (saw) used to pray: “Allahumma inni a’udhu
bika min al-taraddi wa’l-haraam wa’l-gharaq wa’l-harq, wa a’udhu bika an yatakhabatani
al-shaytan ind al-mawt (O Allah, I seek refuge with You from being thrown from a high
place, old age, drowning and burning; and I seek refuge with You from being beaten by the
shaytan at the time of death).” (Nasai)

al-Manaawi said: “(The phrase) ‘and I seek refuge with You from being beaten by the
shaytan at the time of death’ means, lest he should wrestle with me and play with me, and
damage my religious commitment or mental state (at the time of death) by means of his
insinuating whispers which cause people to slip or lose their minds. The shaytan could take
control of a person when he is about to depart this world, and misguide him or stop him
from repenting…” (al-Fayd al-Qadir, 2/148)
Ibn Taymiyyah said: “For this reason, a group of the Mu’tazilah, such as al-Jabbaa’i, Abu
Bakr al-Raazi and others, denied that the jinn enter the body of the epileptic, although they
do not deny the existence of the jinn, because that is not as clearly mentioned in the reports
narrated from RasulAllah (saw) as their existence is mentioned. They were mistaken in this
matter. Hence al-Ash’ari mentioned in Maqaalaat Ahlu's-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah that they
(i.e., Ahlu's-Sunnah) believe that the jinn may enter the body of the epileptic, as Allah says:
‘Those who eat Riba will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of
a person beaten by shaytan leading him to insanity…’ (al-Baqarah 2/275)” (Majmu al-
Fatawa,19/12)

Ibn Taymiyyah said: “The fact that jinn can enter human bodies is proven by the consensus
of Ahlu's-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah. Allah says: ‘Those who eat Ribaa will not stand (on the
Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by shaytan (Satan) leading
him to insanity. That is because they say: ‘Trading is only like Ribaa…’ (al-Baqarah 2/275)
And in as-Sahih it is narrated that RasulAllah (saw) said: ‘The shaytan flows through the
son of Adam as the blood flows through his veins.” (Majmu al-Fatawa, 24/276-277)

Abd-Allah ibn al-Imam Ahmad said: I told my father that some people claim that the jinn
do not enter the body of a human. He said, O my son, they are lying, for a jinn may speak
with the tongue of a person who is lying on his sick-bed.” (Majmu al-Fatawa,19/12)

Ibn Qudamah said: “What he said is well known, because a person may suffer an epileptic
seizure and speak in a language that no one understands, and his body may be beaten with
blows that would fell a camel, but the epileptic does not feel them at all, and he is also
unaware of the words he is saying. The epileptic and others may be dragged about, or the
carpet on which he is sitting may be pulled, and utensils may be moved about from place to
place, and other things may happen. Anyone who witnesses such a thing will know for sure
that the one who is speaking through the person and moving these things is not
human...There is no one among the imams of the Muslims who denies that jinn may enter
the body of the epileptic and others. Anyone who denies that and claims that Islam denies it
is lying about Islam. There is nothing in the proofs of shari’ah to show that it does not
happen.”

Ibn Taymiyyah said: “When the jinn touch a person with epilepsy, it may be because of
desire or love, just as happens between one human and another…or it may –as is usually
the case– be because of hatred and punishment, such as when a person has harmed them or
they think that he has harmed them deliberately, either by urinating on them or pouring hot
water on them or killing them, even if the person did that unknowingly. There are ignorant
and wrongdoing ones among the jinn who may punish a person more than he deserves, or
they may be playing with him and mistreating him, like foolish people among mankind.”
(Majmu al-Fatawa, 19/39)

He also said: “When the jinn attack a person, they should be told of the rulings of Allah and
His Messenger, proof should be established against them, and they should be commanded
to do what is good and told not to do what is evil, just as should be done in the case of
people, as Allah says: ‘And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give
warning).’ (al-Isra 17/15)...If the jinn does not leave after being addressed in this manner,
then it is permissible to rebuke him, tell him off, threaten him and curse him, as RasulAllah
(saw) did with the shaytan when he came with a falling star to throw it in his face, and
RasulAllah (saw) said: “I seek refuge with Allah from you and I curse you with the curse of
Allah” three times. (Bukhari).We may also seek help against the jinn by remembering
Allah (dhikr) and reciting Qur'an, especially Ayat al-Kursiy. RasulAllah (saw) said:
“Whoever recites it will remain under the protection of Allah and no shaytan (devil) will be
able to approach him until the morning.” (Bukhari). And al-Mu’wadhatayn (the last two
surahs of the Qur'an) may also be recited.” (Majmu al-Fataawa, 19/42)

Because the jinn can see us while we cannot see them, RasulAllah (saw) taught us many
ways to protect ourselves from their harm, such as seeking refuge with Allah from the
accursed shaytan, reciting particular surahs of the Qur'an, and reciting the words taught by
Allah in the Qur'an, reciting the adhkaar taught by RasulAllah (saw).

Saying Bismillah (in the Name of Allah) before entering one’s home, before eating or
drinking, and before having intercourse will also keep the shaytan 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 awrah or harming him, as RasulAllah (saw) said: “To put a barrier
that will prevent the jinn from seeing the awrah of the sons of Adam, let any one of you say
‘Bismillah’ when entering the toilet.” (Tirmidhi)

Strength of faith and religion in general will also prevent the jinn from harming a person,
so much so that if they were to fight, the one who has faith would win. Abd-Allah ibn
Mas’ud (ra) said: “A man from among the Companions of Muhammad (saw) met a man
from among the jinn. They wrestled, and the human knocked down the jinn. The human
said to him, ‘You look small and skinny to me, and your forearms look like the front paws
of a dog. Do all the jinn look like this, or only you?’ He said, ‘No, by Allah, among them I
am strong, but let us wrestle again, and if you defeat me I will teach you something that
will do you good.’ The human said, ‘Fine.’ He said, ‘Recite, ‘Allah! None has the right to
be worshipped but He, the Ever-living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists…’
(Ayat al-Kursiy – al-Baqarah 2/255). The human said, ‘Fine.’ He said, ‘You will never
recite this in your house but the shaytan will come out of it like a donkey breaking wind,
and he will never come back in until the next morning.” (Darimi)

Seeking refuge Allah from the cursed shaytan. Allah (swt) says: “Say: ‘My Lord! I seek
refuge with You from the whisperings (suggestions) of the shayatin (devils). And I seek
refuge with You, my Lord, lest they may attend (or come near) me.’” (al-Mu’minun 23/97-
98)

Reciting al-Mu’wadhatayn (the last two Surahs of the Qur'an, al-Falaq and al-Nas) will
protect one from the harm of shaytan bi idniAllah. It was narrated that Abu Sa’ed al-Khudri
(ra) said: “RasulAllah (saw) used to seek refuge with Allah from the jinn and from the evil
eye until the Mu’wadhatayn were revealed, and when they were revealed he started to
recite them and not anything else.” (Tirmidhi; Nasai; Ibn Maajah) And it was narrated that
Uqbah ibn Aamir said: RasulAllah (saw) said: “Have you not seen the verses that were
revealed tonight, the like of which has never been seen? Qul a’udhu bi Rabb il-falaq and
Qul audhu bi Rabb il-naas.” ( Muslim)

Reciting Surat al-Ikhlas, Surat al-Falaq and Surat al-Nas. RasulAllah (saw) used to recite
them when going to sleep, and he would blow into his hands and then wipe them over
whatever he could reach of his body.  It was narrated from Aishah (raa) that every night
when RasulAllah (saw) went to bed, he would cup his hands together, blow into them then
recite into them Qul Huwa Allahu ahad, Qul a’udhu bi Rabb il-falaq and Qul audhu bi
Rabb il-nas, then he would wipe as much as he could reach of his body, starting with his
head and face and the front of his body. And he would do that three times.” (Bukhari)

Reciting Ayat al-Kursiy (al-Baqarah 2/255) is another ayah which prevents the harm of the
jinn. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (ra) said: “RasulAllah (saw) put me in charge of
guarding the zakaah of Ramadan. Someone came to me and started grabbing handfuls of
the food. I took hold of him and said, ‘I will take you to RasulAllah (saw).’ He said, ‘I will
teach you some words by means of which Allah will benefit you.’ I said, ‘What are they?’
He said, ‘When you go to your bed, recite this ayah: “Allah! Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none
has the right to be worshipped but He), al-Hayyul-Qayyum (the Ever Living, the One Who
sustains and protects all that exists)…” (al-Baqarah 2/255)  until he completed the ayah.
Then Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no shaytan (devil) will
come near you until morning.’ RasulAllah (saw) asked me, ‘What did your prisoner do last
night?’ I said, ‘O RasulAllah, he taught me something, and claimed that Allah would
benefit me by it.’ He said, ‘What was it?’ I said, ‘He taught me to recite Ayat al-Kursiy
when I go to bed, and said that no shaytan would come near me until morning, and that
Allah would appoint a guard for me who would stay with me.’ RasulAllah (saw) said, ‘He
told you the truth, although he is an inveterate liar. That was the shaytan.” (Bukhari)

Reciting Surat al-Baqarah in general. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that
RasulAllah (saw) said: “Do not make your houses like graves, for the shaytan runs away
from a house in which Surat al-Baqarah is recited.” (Muslim)

The last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah every night. It was narrated from al-Nu’maan ibn
Bashir (ra) that RasulAllah (saw) said: “Allah inscribed a book two thousand years before
He created the heavens and the earth, from which the last two ayahs of Surat al-Baqarah
were revealed. If they are recited for three nights, no shaytan (devil) will remain in the
house.” (Tirmidhi) 

It was narrated that Abu Mas’ud al-Ansaari said: “RasulAllah (saw) said: ‘Whoever recites
the last two verses of Surat al-Baqarah at night, that will suffice him.” (Bukhari; Muslim)

Imam Nawawi said: “With regard to the words of RasulAllah (saw) ‘they will be sufficient
for him,’ it was said that it means they will suffice instead of praying qiyaam al-layl; and it
was said, they will suffice him against the shaytan, or against harm. It may be understood
as meaning all of these things.” (Sharh Sahih Muslim)

Reciting “Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdahu laa sharika lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd wa
huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir (There is no god except Allah Alone with no partner or
associate; His is the Sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things)” one
hundred times. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that RasulAllah (saw) said:
“Whoever says “Laa ilaaha ill-Allah wahdahu laa sharika lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd
wa huwa ala kulli shay’in qadir” one hundred times in the day, will have a reward
equivalent to that of freeing ten slaves, one hundred hasanahs (good deeds) will be
recorded for him, and one hundred sayi’ahs (bad deeds) will be erased from his record, and
it will be protection for him from the shaytan for that day, until evening comes. No one
could achieve any better than him except the one who does more than he did.” (Bukhari;
Muslim)

Remembering Allah often (dhikr). It was narrated from al-Haarith al-Ash’ari that
RasulAllah (saw) said: “Allah commanded Yahya ibn Zakariyah (as) five things to follow
and to enjoin upon the Children of Isra'il…and he commanded them to remember Allah,
and the likeness of that is a man who was being pursued by the enemy, until he reached a
strong fortress in which he found protection; similarly a man cannot find protection from
the shaytan except by remembering Allah...” (Tirmidhi)

Reciting the adhaan. It was narrated that Suhayl ibn Abi Saalih said: “My father sent me to
Bani Haarithah, and there was with me a slave of ours, or a companion of ours. Someone
called out his name from a garden, and the one who was with me looked into the garden
and did not see anything. I mentioned that to my father, and he said, ‘If I had known that
this was going to happen to you, I would not have sent you. But if you hear a voice then
make the call for prayer, for I heard Abu Hurayrah (ra) narrating that RasulAllah (saw)
said: “When the shaytan hears the call to prayer, he runs away (or farts) fast.” (Muslim)

Reciting Qur'an offers protection against the shaytan. Allah says: “And when you
(Muhammad) recite the Qur'an, We put between you and those who believe not in the
Hereafter, an invisible veil (or screen their hearts, so they hear or understand it not).” (al-
Isra 17/45)

There are many du’as which if a Muslim recites them, they will be a means of protecting
him from evil and evil people.

It was narrated that Ibn Abbas (ra) said: RasulAllah (saw) used to seek protection for Hasan
and Husayn and say: “Your father (i.e., Ibrahim) used to seek protection by means of them
(these words) for Ismail and Ishaq: A’udhu bi kalimaat-Allah il-taammah min kulli
shaitanin wa haammah wa min kulli ‘aynin laammah (I seek refuge in the perfect words of
Allah from every devil and poisonous reptile, and from every envious evil eye).” (Bukhari)

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (ra) that when RasulAllah (saw) was on a journey and
got up or ended his journey in the last part of the night, he would say, “Sami’a saami’un bi
hamdi Lillaah wa husni balaa’ihi alayna. Rabbana saahibna wa afdil alayna aa’idhan
Billaahi min al-naar (May a witness bear witness to our praise of Allah for His favours and
bounties upon us. Our Lord, protect us, show favour upon us and deliver us from every
evil. I seek refuge in Allah from the Fire).” (Muslim)

It was narrated that Khawlah bint Hakim al-Sulamiyyah said: I heard RasulAllah (saw) say:
“Whoever makes a stop on a journey and says, ‘A’udhu bi kalimaat Allah il-tammaati min
sharri ma khalaqa (I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of that which
He has created),’ nothing will harm him until he moves on from that place.” (Muslim)

It was narrated from Musa al-Ash’ari that when RasulAllah (saw) was afraid of some
people he would say, “Allahumma inna naj’aluka fi nuhurihim wa na’udhu bika min
shururihim (O Allah, we ask You to repel them and we seek refuge in You from their
evil).” (Abu Dawud)

Abd al-Azim Abaadi said: “What is meant is: We ask You to repel them, ward off their
evil, deal with them and prevent any evil reaching us from them.” (Awn al-Ma’bud, 4/277)