The existence of "jinn": An analysis in light of the Quran
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Peace all,
As you are aware, to determine (uncover) he true meaning of word "jinn" in the quran, it's essential to look at all of its occurences. By identifying every verse in which the word "jinn" appears, one can clearly see how it is used in different contexts. Comparing, cross-referencing and interpreting these verses in their contexts leads to a clearer and more accurate understanding of the meaning of the word "jinn." In addition, looking at the root meaning of the word "jinn" helps reveal its core concept. It is also important to consider the grammatical structure and original form of the word "jinn" in Classical Arabic, as these features directly shape its meaning. Finally, carefully looking at multiple Qur'an translations, along with lexicons, dictionaries, concordances, and lexical tools, brings the word’s meaning into full clarity and provides a factual understanding based in reality.
According to Arabian mythology, folklore, and traditional Islamic hadith and scholarly commentaries (tafsir), jinn are considered unseen (invisible) and supernatural beings with great powers who inhabit the earth. In mythology and folklore, and in some traditional Islamic writings and scholarly commentaries (tafsir), they are described as having shape-shifting abilities, capable of taking on various forms, including animal forms and even human shapes. Is this explanation of the word "jinn" rational (logical) and scientific? Is it necessary to use external sources such as Arabian mythology, folklore and hadith to explain and interpret the word "jinn" in the quran? Or is it more prudent to interpret the quran by its own light (namely "scripture interprets scripture")? If the quran is its own interpreter, isn't it paramount to interpret the meaning of the word "jinn" by using the quran itself, rather than relying on external sources such as Arabian mythology, folklore and hadith for interpreting the word "jinn"?
Some information about the word "jinn from the quran":
- Concerning the word "jinn", it appears to be mentioned/used about 32 times accross 31 verses in the quran.
- The word "jinn" is mentioned with humans about 10 times in the quran, using the phrase "al-ins wa-l-jinn" (humans and jinn).
- The root word of "jinn" (جِنّ) comes from the arabic root جَنَنَ (j-n-n), which means "to conceal" or "to hide."
- The word "jinn" seems to refer to something which is "concealed" or "hidden". Something which is concealed or hidden isn't necessarily (inherently) "invisible". Something which is concealed or hidden is deliberately concealed or kept out of sight, but if someone knows where to look for it, it can still be visible or be found.
- The word "jinn" appears to be left untranslated (kept in its arabic forms) in most translations of the quran.
- "Jinn" were created before humans from "from a smokeless fire" (15:27). The arabic words مِّن مَّارِجٍ مِّن نَّارٍ "min mārijin min nārin" are commonly/traditionally translated as "from a smokeless fire". Note that the arabic word مّارِجٍ (Mārij) is commonly/traditionally translated as "a flame" or a blazing fire". Also, note that the arabic word "nār" (نَارٍ) is commonly/traditionally translated as "fire". Alternative translations of the arabic word "marij", based on its root can be translated to "intensity", "purification", "light" or "wrath". Also, alternative translations of the arabic word "nar", based on its root can be translated as "a restless element", "a stirring force, "a mixture" (combination of elements), "a flicker" or "a flare".
- A group of "jinn" heard the recitation of the quran, then belived in it and became monotheists (72:1-5).
- A group of men among humankind sought help from men among the "jinn", but it increased them in wrongdoing (72:6).
- "Jinn" tried to touch the heavens/sky/universe (outer space), but were unable to do it, due to it being full of guards and projectiles (72:8 ).
- "Jinn" used to reside in the heavens/sky/universe (outer space), but can no longer do it, due to the powerful projectiles that are there (72:9).
- "Jinn" don't know what God intends for humankind on earth, whether humankind will be guided/fortunate or not in the future (72:10).
- Some "jinn" are righteous and some are not righteous, they follow various paths (72:11).
- "Jinn" live on earth and they acknowledge that they can't escape God on earth (72:12).
- "Jinn" have free will as stated by the quran (72:14).
- "Jinn" received messengers from their own kind, just as humans received messengers from their own kind, reciting God's signs to them and warning them of the meeting on the Day of Judgment (6:130 and 7:35).
- Humans and "jinn" are the only beings in the world which explicitly have been described as being capable of submitting to God (i.e. becoming "muslim" by submitting to God's will). Among the "jinn" there are muslim (submitters) and non-muslims (72:14-15).
- "Jinn" have been given faculties to understand. The quran explicitly mentions that they have eyes, ears and hearts, similar to humans. But among the "jinn", there are those who choose to not use their faculties and remain heedless (7:179).
- Hell will be filled with "humans" and "jinn" as stated by the quran, but not with other beings (11:119).
- Iblis was a "jinn" and disobeyed God by refusing to prostrate to adam, thus becoming a wrongdoer (18:50).
- Solomon's forces were comprised of "jinn", "humans" and "birds" (27:17).
- Some "jinn" performed work for Solomon (34:12).
- A powerful being from among the "jinn" offered to bring Queen of Sheba's throne swiftly - with high speed (27:38-39).
- Just like humans, "jinn" can't know the unseen/future as illustrated by the story of Solomon (34:14).
- Earlier communities of "jinn" and humans were destroyed for their wrongdoing, after they were warned (41:25).
- A group of "jinn" listened to the quran, returned to their people, and warned them (46:29).
- Humans are critisized for worshipping/serving "jinn" as deities (6:100).
- "Jinn" and humans are challenged to cross the heavens/sky/universe (outer space) and to cross the earth, and will not be able to do it without authority (55:33).
- There were "humans" and "jinn" that inspired falsehood, becoming enemies to prophets (6:112).
- "Jinn" and humans are created solely to worship/serve God as stated by the quran (51:56).
- The verses in the last chapter of the quran provide instruction/guidance on seeking refuge from the whisperer who whispers into hearts, from among "jinn" and human (114:1-6).
From my research, and as mentioned earlier, "jinn" are considered as unseen (invisible) and supernatural beings with great powers, who inhabit the earth, according to Arabian mythology, folklore, and traditional Islamic hadith and scholarly commentaries (tafsir). Also, Arabian mythology, folklore and traditional islamic writings hold that "jinn" have shape-shifting abilities and are able to take on various forms including animal forms and even human shapes. In addition, in Arabian mythology, folklore, certain interpretations of Hadith, and some tafsir (commentaries), jinn are believed to have the ability to possess humans or influence the behavior of humans. Furthermore, my research reveals that the islamic scholar Umar Sulaiman Al-Ashqar seemed to suggest that "jinn" are connected to UFOs. Also, the islamic scholar Ali Riza Demirkan, seem to suggest that UFOs are technologies related to "jinn". There is also an islamic scholar known as Imran Nazar Hosein, which seem to suggest that UFOs or aliens are manifestations of "jinn", which is consistent with Arabian mythology and folklore that "jinn" can take many forms. By contrast, several modernist muslims argue that "jinn" represents unseen forces (natural phenomena), psychological states or metaphors, rather than physical beings. They often emphasize a logical/rational approach to quran's view on "jinn", and they distance themselves from superstition and literalism. For instance, Ghulam A. Parwez seemed to relate "jinn" to qualities such as fiery temperament or nomads in a metaphorical sense, rather than distinct creatures. He seemed to suggest that "jinn" emphasize psychological tendencies and social phenomena, rather than physical entities.
Ghulam A. Parwez's explanation seems to be very rational/logical, IMHO. I think the other views regarding "jinn" are without clear evidence. By way of illustration, the view on "jinn" based on Arabian mythology, folklore and some traditional islamic writings appear to be superstitious, irrational/illogical and unscientific (without clear evidence). As regards to the crazy conspiracy theories regarding "jinn" being connected to UFOs (according to certain islamic scholars), these conspiracy theories have been debunked countless times online. In the past, I have examined some articles and videos about crazy UFO conspiracy theorists with regard to flying saucers. Because in order to refute/dismantle/debunk their claims, one have to be willing to read their articles and watch their videos. A recurring theme in conspiracy theories is that all of them are crazy, and most of them tend to be fictious and absurd.
Also, all conspiracy theories can easily be debunked. Examples of conspiracy theories concerning UFOs/UAPs and aliens that have been debunked are the Roswell Incident (1947), The Westall UFO incident (1966), Rendlesham forest incident (1980), the Bob Lazar case (1989), Ariel School UFO incident (1994), the Varginha UFO incident (1996), Turkey Kumburgaz UFO and alien sightings (2007-2009), and the Skinny bob case (2011).
Lastly, one of the the most crazy conspiracy theories I have read about in this forum and in other places is the flat earth theory. This theory has been debunked numerous times online. From what I have read, flat earthers refuse to accept the scientific concensus that Earth is a planet. Instead, they believe in the absurd notion that there is a seperation between the earth and the universe through a dome (firmament). They also claim that there are hidden continents and lands beyond or above an ice wall of their flat earth, which they identify as Antarctica. Despite their claims, they have not been able prove their flat earth theory with scientific proof or with verses from the quran. Also, from what I have read, instead of, or in addition to believing in extraterrestrials, some of these individuals believe in cryptoterrestrials (ultraterrestrials) that supposedly possess flying saucers, cigar-shaped (cylindrical) spacecraft, and other types of highly advanced spacecraft. In addition, they seem to believe in the crazy and absurd conspiracy theory that these beings or creatures live underground, underwater, and in remote areas on Earth. They probably believe that these beings or creatures are hidden in fictional continents and lands beyond Antarctica too. Lol.
I think the only thing which is positive about conspiracy theories is that they provide entertainment value. Lol.
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Peace Ronin.
Thank you for sharing your take on Jinns. I agree about your info on them from Qoran.We can know for sure two things about Jinns according to Qoran
1- they are a different race and in a different dimension/environment/world- They see us,but we cannot see them.
2- They are on trial life/experience like we are.When "Iblis" rebelled he became a Jinn and took his tribe down the rebellion cause with him. They were created before the humans to undergo their final chance at repentance as Jinns.
We also believed his lies and doubted GOD s absolute authority as the only deity and power and rebelled in our past life with Iblis and other souls , hence our turn was next to come down to earth for our final chance to redeem ourselves and live on earth as humans.
We are advised to stay away from Iblis and his tribe and to beware them. i.e they have the power- if we decide to let them or turn away from GOD and His message- to take us down the "Taghut path" and distract us from GOD s straight path.
Iblis and his tribe influence the majority with this world s distractions, immorality, material things and loyalties to the human devils. " Iblis and his tribe can see us from where we can never perceive.
We have our form- body and soul- , Jinns have their form or forms- we cannot know any of these form or forms -
Humans , like Jinns are only created to see if they can repent and redeem themselves back to GOD s kingdom.These verses may help to shed the light on the influence of the Jinn/devils and the human
First , our creation and set up as humans
Were we too burdened by the first creation? Is this why they doubt resurrection?
أَفَعَيينا بِالخَلقِ الأَوَّلِ بَل هُم فى لَبسٍ مِن خَلقٍ جَديدٍ
We created the human, and we know what he whispers to himself. We are closer to him than his jugular vein.
وَلَقَد خَلَقنَا الإِنسٰنَ وَنَعلَمُ ما تُوَسوِسُ بِهِ نَفسُهُ وَنَحنُ أَقرَبُ إِلَيهِ مِن حَبلِ الوَريدِ
Two recording (angels), at right and at left, are constantly recording.
إِذ يَتَلَقَّى المُتَلَقِّيانِ عَنِ اليَمينِ وَعَنِ الشِّمالِ قَعيدٌ
Not an utterance does he utter without an alert witness.
ما يَلفِظُ مِن قَولٍ إِلّا لَدَيهِ رَقيبٌ عَتيدٌ
Finally, the inevitable coma of death comes; this is what you tried to evade.
وَجاءَت سَكرَةُ المَوتِ بِالحَقِّ ذٰلِكَ ما كُنتَ مِنهُ تَحيدُ
The horn is blown; this is the promised day.
وَنُفِخَ فِى الصّورِ ذٰلِكَ يَومُ الوَعيدِ
Every soul comes with a herder and a witness.
وَجاءَت كُلُّ نَفسٍ مَعَها سائِقٌ وَشَهيدٌ
You used to be oblivious to this. We now remove your veil; today, your vision is (as strong as) steel.
لَقَد كُنتَ فى غَفلَةٍ مِن هٰذا فَكَشَفنا عَنكَ غِطاءَكَ فَبَصَرُكَ اليَومَ حَديدٌNow the influence of the Jin to each person and vice versa.- If no repentance from either-
The companion said, "Here is my formidable testimony."*
وَقالَ قَرينُهُ هٰذا ما لَدَىَّ عَتيدٌ
Throw into Gehenna every stubborn disbeliever.
أَلقِيا فى جَهَنَّمَ كُلَّ كَفّارٍ عَنيدٍ
Forbidder of charity, aggressor, full of doubt.
مَنّاعٍ لِلخَيرِ مُعتَدٍ مُريبٍ
He set up besides God another god. Throw him into severe retribution.
الَّذى جَعَلَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلٰهًا ءاخَرَ فَأَلقِياهُ فِى العَذابِ الشَّديدِ
His companion said, "Our Lord, I did not mislead him; he was far astray."
قالَ قَرينُهُ رَبَّنا ما أَطغَيتُهُ وَلٰكِن كانَ فى ضَلٰلٍ بَعيدٍ
He said, "Do not feud in front of Me; I have sufficiently warned you.
قالَ لا تَختَصِموا لَدَىَّ وَقَد قَدَّمتُ إِلَيكُم بِالوَعيدِ
"Nothing can be changed now. I am never unjust towards the people."
ما يُبَدَّلُ القَولُ لَدَىَّ وَما أَنا۠ بِظَلّٰمٍ لِلعَبيدِThat is my view about Jinns in relation to humans..
Thanks
GOD bless you.
Peace. -
Peace all!
In an earlier post in this thread, I mentioned that conspiracy theories concerning UFOs and aliens have been debunked. I referenced incidents like the Roswell Incident (1947), the Westall UFO incident (1966), the Ariel School UFO incident (1994), the Varginha (Brazilian Roswell) UFO incident (1996) and so on.
In this post, I'd like to share some more information regarding conspiracy theories about UFOs and aliens. As is obvious the conspiracy theories regarding UFOs and aliens can be effectively debunked. There is no solid evidence such as physical artifacts or clear, verifiable footage to support such claims. Most UFO sightings are easily explained by misidentifying common objects like weather balloons, aircraft, or natural phenomena, or by optical illusions. Psychological factors, such as cognitive biases, also explain why many people report similar experiences. The vast distances between stars make interstellar travel highly improbable, further weakening UFO and alien claims. Without direct evidence or clear communication from extraterrestrials, it's reasonable to conclude that UFO and alien phenomena are the result of human error, misperception, or other psychological factors.
As a skeptic and a critical thinker, I believe it's crucial to investigate UFO and alien claims in order to effectively debunk such conspiracy theories. For skeptics, such documentaries are like protein for bodybuilders (vital for strengthening critical thinking). While conspiracy theories are crazy, absurd and can be debunked, some are harder to debunk than others. Although many might argue that "The Phenomenon (2020)" by James Fox is the hardest UFO documentary to debunk, I want to focus on two other documentaries in this post. Here, I'll mention what I believe are two of the most difficult UFO documentaries to debunk.
"Out of the Blue (2003)" by the American filmmaker James Fox is considered one of the most comprehensive and well-researched UFO documentaries ever made. The film is praised for its global investigation, interviews with high-ranking military and government officials, and its use of eyewitness accounts, photos, and documentary evidence to explore the UFO phenomenon. I think it's one of the hardest UFO documentaries to debunk. Another excellent and hard-to-debunk film is "Moment of Contact" (2022) by James Fox, which delves into the 1996 Varginha (Brazilian Roswell) UFO incident, which is one of the most investigated modern UFO and alien encounter cases of all time. I think this film is also one of the hardest to debunk.
Both "Out of the Blue" and "Moment of Contact" offer a fascinating, well-researched exploration of the UFO phenomenon. I personally believe they are two of the best UFO documentaries available, and they're free to watch online on the French video-sharing platform DailyMotion (dailymotion.com), with english subtitles available for "Out of the Blue." While UFO and alien conspiracy theories are crazy, outlandish and amusing, these documentaries are definitely worth watching. I've seen both, and I can confidently say they offer far more entertainment value than fantasy films like "The Lord of the Rings", "Star Wars", "The Matrix", or "The Chronicles of Narnia."
If you have more time, I also recommend the documentary "Witness of Another World (2018)" by Argentine filmmaker Alan Stivelman. It's truly priceless in terms of entertainment value and available for free on YouTube. In my opinion, "Witness of Another World" is the third best UFO documentary, after the two aforementioned films. If you have already watched "Out of the Blue" and "Moment of contact", then taking the time to watch this one is definitely worth it. Grab some popcorn and a drink (tea, juice, or whatever you prefer), sit down, relax, and enjoy the film.
More importantly, watching these aforementioned UFO and alien documentaries (particularly "Out of the Blue" and "Moment of contact") can help skeptics become much better critical thinkers. For me, these two aforementioned UFO and alien documentaries have probably forged my skepticism and sharpened my critical thinking skills more than any other documentaries. Furthermore, I believe they can equip skeptics with supreme tools to expose falsehoods and superstitions and inspire a relentless search for truth unlike ever before.
If you don't have time to watch these aforementioned UFO and alien documentaries, I recommend reading short summaries of them online instead. However, while summaries are a quicker alternative, they can never replicate the immersive experience or provide the deeper understanding that watching these documentaries offers. That's why I highly recommend finding the time to watch them, even if it's just 5 minutes per day until you've seen all of them. Without a doubt, doing so is an invaluable investment of your time.
Note: The witness's claims about space-traveling humanoid creatures with a cigar-shaped (cylindrical) spacecraft in the film "Moment of Contact" are so outrageous, wild and absurd that fictitious, ludicrous, and superstitious beliefs in vampires, magic-wielding witches, werewolves, fairies, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, mermaids, ghosts, dragons, and thunderbirds look like stone-cold historical facts by comparison.
One last thing, the link to the following video (which is only a little more than 5 minutes long) provides a brief summary of the 2018 documentary "Witness of Another World."
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Just a side thought since UFOs and aliens were mentioned.
Putting aside conspiracy theories, the bigger question is: what do we actually think about life beyond Earth?
From what I understand, the Quran does not give us detailed information on this. We know Allah is Lord of all worlds, and knowledge of the unseen belongs to Him alone.
So is it possible that there are other ‘earth-like’ worlds, or even other forms of life (humans or aliens) with their own guidance, prophets etc.? Maybe. Or maybe not. We simply do not know.
Curious to hear how others here look at this
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Peace Fusion and all!
The Qur'an doesn't provide detailed information about life beyond Earth. However, it subtly hints at the existence of extraterrestrial life and beings that surpass humans, as mentioned in my article on this forum, "Selected verses that reveal profound quranic insights about life and the universe."
I'd like to share the verses mentioned in that article here.
42:29 And from among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the creatures He spreads in them. And He is able to gather them, if He wills.
Note: The "creatures" (dabbatin) mentioned in verse 42:29, that are spread throughout the heavens, refer to all kinds of living, moving beings in the heavens. They don't refer to birds or flying insects found on Earth. Verse 42:29 implies a clear distinction between creatures that exist in the heavens and those that exist on Earth.
17:70 And We have honored the Children of Adam and carried them in the land and the sea, and We have provided for them of the good things, and We have preferred them over many of those We created in a marked preference.
37:11 So ask them: "Are they the more powerful creation, or the others We created?" We have created them from a clay that is sticky.
The Qur'an provides detailed information about other forms of life, such as jinn, who have their own guidance and messengers (rusul), as mentioned in verses 6:130 and 7:35. But they don't live beyond Earth. They live on Earth (55:33 and 72:12). Although the Qur'an mentions that the Jinn have their own messengers (rusul), it doesn't explicitly mention that they have their own prophets (anbiya). However, verse 6:112 leaves open the possibility that the jinn had their own prophets, since it refers to jinn among those who opposed and plotted against the prophets through deceptive words. This might indicate that there are prophets within the community of the jinn. Furthermore, jinn cannot be biological beings because they are made of fire, which is not a solid, living substance. Biological life depends on stable, physical structures (cells, tissues, and organs) while fire is a chemical reaction composed of gases and heat, with no solid form. Since biological life requires a physical, cellular structure, and fire doesn't have a physical form like that, jinn appear to be beings beyond the scope of biological life as we understand it.
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Peace Fusion and all!
In response to one of your questions in the last post, where you asked, "Is it possible that there are other Earth-like worlds?" I think this is possible and that the Qur'an confirms it.
Verse 65:12 describes seven heavens (samawatin) and from the earth their like (wa-mina al-ardi mithlahunna), which indicates that there are seven earths. Moreover, the seven heavens are created in layers (67:3 and 71:15).
