Jinn in Islam: their creation, their world and protection

الجِنّ

Jinn are invisible creatures created from smokeless fire. The Quran devotes an entire surah to them, Al-Jinn.

Jinn in Islam: their creation from smokeless fire, Iblis and protection through the Quran, on Muslim Alim
Jinn in Islam: a desert at night with a smokeless campfire under a starry sky
Jinn were created from smokeless fire.

The creation of the jinn

وَخَلَقَ الْجَانَّ مِن مَّارِجٍ مِّن نَّارٍ
Wa khalaqal-janna min marijin min nar

“And He created the jinn from a smokeless flame of fire.”

Surah Ar-Rahman, 55:15

Jinn were created before humans (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:27). They eat, marry, have offspring and will die. They see us while we do not see them (Surah Al-A‘raf, 7:27). They will be judged like humans on the Day of Resurrection.

Jinn, angels and humans

AngelsJinnHumans
Created fromLightSmokeless fireClay
Free willNo, they obeyYesYes
VisibleNoNoYes
JudgedNoYesYes
A living room lit at night with an open Quran on a wooden stand
The house where Al-Baqarah is recited is protected from Satan.

Surah Al-Jinn

Surah 72, Al-Jinn, tells how a group of jinn listened to the Prophet ﷺ reciting the Quran and said: “We have heard an amazing recitation, which guides to the right course; we have believed in it and we will never associate anyone with our Lord” (72:1-2).

Everyday protection

  1. Read Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping.
  2. Recite Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas morning and evening.
  3. Read Surah Al-Baqarah at home.
  4. Say Bismillah when entering your home, when eating and before closing doors at night.
  5. Avoid fortune-tellers, talismans and sorcerers: protection comes from Allah alone. See ruqyah.
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Frequently asked questions

You may be wondering…

What are jinn created from?

From a smokeless fire (Surah Ar-Rahman, 55:15). The Prophet ﷺ said: “The angels were created from light, the jinn from smokeless fire, and Adam from what has been described to you” (Sahih Muslim, 2996).

Are all jinn evil?

No. Like humans, they have free will: among them are believers and disbelievers (Surah Al-Jinn, 72:11-14). A group of jinn heard the Quran and believed (72:1-2). Disbelieving jinn are called devils (shayatin).

Is Iblis an angel or a jinn?

A jinn: “He was of the jinn and departed from the command of his Lord” (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:50). He refused to prostrate to Adam out of arrogance. See the story of Adam.

How do you protect yourself from jinn?

With Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping (Sahih al-Bukhari, 2311), Surahs Al-Falaq and An-Nas, Surah Al-Baqarah at home (Sahih Muslim, 780), saying “Bismillah” when entering, eating and undressing, and the morning and evening supplications.

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