Question
Can jinn be brought under control? If they can, can we control them or not? Also, sometimes people say that jinn have attached themselves to our child, so how should it be treated? Can jinn be summoned or not? Please explain this topic in detail.
Answer
Al-hamdu lillah! The jinn are also among the creatures of Allah, and Allah the Exalted created them from fire, as mentioned in many places in the Holy Quran:
﴿وَالْجَانَّ خَلَقْنَاهُ مِن قَبْلُ مِن نَّارِ السَّمُومِ﴾
“And We created the jinn before that from the fire of scorching wind.”
﴿وَخَلَقَ الْجَانَّ مِن مَّارِجٍ مِّن نَّارٍ﴾
“And He created the jinn from a smokeless flame of fire.”
➊ Types of jinn
The Holy Quran makes clear that among the jinn some are righteous and Muslim, while others are wicked and unjust:
﴿وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الصَّالِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ﴾
“Among us are the righteous, and among us are those of a lesser standing.”
﴿وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الْمُسْلِمُونَ وَمِنَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ﴾
“Among us are Muslims, and among us are those who deviate from justice.”
➋ Jinn being brought under control
Jinn can be brought under control, as Allah says about Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) that the jinn were under his control and followed his commands:
﴿وَالشَّيَاطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّاءٍ وَغَوَّاصٍ﴾
“And the devils, every builder and diver.”
Also, He said:
﴿وَمِنَ الْجِنِّ مَن يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِ﴾
“And among the jinn were those who worked before him by the permission of his Lord.”
➌ The Prophet ﷺ and the jinn
The Prophet ﷺ once also intended to bring a jinn under control, but he remembered the supplication of Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) and let the jinn go:
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An incident also occurred with Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), in which he caught a jinn twice, and that jinn taught him Ayat al-Kursi:
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➍ The Shariah ruling on controlling jinn
In Islamic Shariah, it is not permissible for ordinary people to control jinn or seek help from them. Sulayman (peace be upon him) had control over the jinn, but this was a special miracle that Allah granted him. For ordinary people, there is no clear evidence of controlling jinn or benefiting from them. Rather, forming a connection with jinn or seeking their help is strictly forbidden:
﴿وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ رِجَالٌ مِّنَ الْإِنسِ يَعُوذُونَ بِرِجَالٍ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ فَزَادُوهُمْ رَهَقًا﴾
“And that some people from mankind used to seek refuge with some men from the jinn, which only increased them in arrogance.”
➎ Protection from the effects of jinn
If someone is affected by a jinn, or people claim that jinn have attached themselves, then treatment can be done in accordance with the Shariah, through the methods mentioned in the Quran and Hadith. Recite over the person the Ayat al-Kursi, Surah al-Fatihah, Surah al-Baqarah, Surah al-Ikhlas, Surah al-Falaq, and Surah an-Nas and blow over them.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi remains under the protection of Allah, and no jinn or devil comes near him.”
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➏ The Shariah ruling on controlling jinn or questioning them
Ordinary people are not permitted to control jinn, summon them, or question them. This practice is disliked in the Shariah, and there is a fear of shirk or misguidance in it. Such patients should be treated spiritually to free them from jinn, such as by reciting the Quran and reciting the prescribed supplications.
➐ Summary
◄ Jinn can be brought under control, but this power was given to Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him); it is not permissible for ordinary people to do so.
◄ The treatment of jinn should be in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah, not through unlawful methods.
◄ It is not permissible to summon jinn or seek help from them; rather, this practice is against the Shariah.
