Surah Al-Jinn (72) — Ayah 1

Say: It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn listened (to this Qur’an), and then said (to their people): “Indeed, we have heard a wondrous Qur’an.”

[1] In this regard, consider the following hadith: Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) says that once the Prophet ﷺ set out with some of his companions intending to go to the market of ‘Ukaz. In those days, the devils were prevented from receiving news from the heavens, and flaming firebrands were thrown at them. They returned (to the earth) and said among themselves, “What has happened? We are prevented from receiving news from the heavens and firebrands are thrown at us. Surely, something new has occurred because of which we are prevented from receiving news from the heavens. Now do this: travel throughout the east and west of the earth and see what new thing has happened.” Some of those devils also came towards Tihamah (Hijaz) and reached the Prophet ﷺ. At that time, the Prophet ﷺ was in Nakhla and intended to go to the market of ‘Ukaz. The Prophet ﷺ was leading his companions in the Fajr prayer when those jinn heard the Quran and listened attentively. Then they said, “This is the very thing because of which we have been prevented from receiving news from the heavens.” Then at that time, they returned to their people and said to them ﴿يَا قَوْمَنَا انَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْاٰنًا عَجَبًا.. اَحَدًا﴾ and Allah Almighty revealed this Surah to you. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the conversation of the jinn was made known to the Prophet ﷺ through revelation. [بخاري۔ كتاب التفسير]

The Jinn Listening to the Quran on Different Occasions:

Prior to this, in verses 29 to 32 of Surah Al-Ahqaf, the mention of the jinn listening to the Quran has also passed. But from the very subjects of the Quran, it is known that these are two separate incidents. According to the incident mentioned in Surah Al-Ahqaf, the jinn who listened were not polytheists; rather, they believed in Sayyiduna Musa ؑ and the Torah, and after listening to the Quran, those jinn believed in the Quran and in the Prophethood of the Prophet ﷺ. Whereas in this Surah, the jinn mentioned were polytheists. The summary of the facts about the jinn that are mentioned repeatedly in the Quran is as follows:
(1) Besides humans, jinn are the only creatures who are accountable to the Shariah.
(2) Jinn are a fiery creation, created from a swift flame or a blaze of fire, whereas humans are an earthly creation.
(3) Before the creation of humans, jinn inhabited this earth, and among them too, the chain of Prophethood continued. But after the creation of humans, the chain of Prophethood was transferred to Sayyiduna Adam ؑ and his progeny. Now, whichever Prophet is sent for humans is also sent for the jinn.

The Attributes of the Jinn:

(4) Jinn can see humans, but humans cannot see jinn. In this Surah as well, the jinn mentioned were not seen by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ; rather, later, through revelation, the Prophet ﷺ was informed of their listening to the Quran and their being affected and coming to faith.
(5) Jinn also speak and understand the regional languages of humans; this is why, as soon as the jinn heard the Quran, they immediately understood it and believed.
(6) Like humans, among them are some who are righteous, and some who are wicked and disobedient. Also, the kinds of beliefs, whether good or bad, found among humans are also found among the jinn.
(7) Wicked jinn are called devils (shayatin), and in the Quran, this term is used synonymously in this sense.
(8) Like humans, among them too, the process of procreation and reproduction continues.