Understanding the Nature of Jinn

The jinn are real beings, created by Allah from smokeless fire, as mentioned in the Qur’an. They exist in a parallel realm to humans, possessing intellect and free will. Some among them are believers, while others are disbelievers. Like humans, they can choose to obey or disobey Allah.

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin’s Explanation

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin (rahimahullah) was once asked: “Do the Jinn have any influence on people? How can one protect oneself from this?”

He replied:

“Undoubtedly, the Jinn can harm people. This can even come to murder and it is also possible for them to throw stones at you and frighten you in various ways, which has been authentically transmitted in the Sunnah and points to the reality.

The Prophet ﷺ said that during the battle of the trench, he allowed some companions to return to their families. One of them, a young man recently married, came home to find his wife standing at the door. Displeased, he entered to see a snake on the bed. He struck it with his spear, killing it, but he too died instantly. When this reached the Prophet ﷺ, he forbade killing snakes found inside homes, except two specific kinds.”

This incident demonstrates that the jinn can take physical forms and cause harm, sometimes even death, by Allah’s decree.

Evidence from the Qur’an

الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ
“Those who devour interest shall not stand other than as one seized by Satan and driven to madness.”
(Surah al-Baqarah, 2:275)

This verse clearly affirms that the Shaytan can influence a human’s body and mind, causing states similar to madness or possession. Scholars have cited this ayah as evidence that jinn can physically affect humans, through harm, fear, or even possession.

How to Protect Yourself from Jinn

Protection from the harm of jinn is found in authentic Sunnah. The most effective means include:

• Reciting Ayatul Kursi (2:255) every night, it protects you until morning, as no Shaytan can approach.
• Reciting the last two verses of Surah al-Baqarah before sleeping.
• Reciting Surah al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq, and an-Nas thrice each morning and evening.
• Maintaining regular remembrance (adhkar) and staying in a state of wudu.

As the Shaykh concluded: “Whoever reads Ayatul Kursi at night, Allah appoints a guardian over him, and no Shaytan can approach him until morning. And Allah is the true protector.”

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