Can Jinn Be Controlled? An Islamic Perspective

Source: Fatawa Ulama-e-Hadith, Volume 09

❖ Question​

Can jinn be controlled? If so, can we control them? People often say their child is possessed by a jinn — how should this be treated? Is it permissible to summon jinn? Please explain this in detail.

✔ Answer​

Alḥamdulillāh! Jinn are among Allah’s creations and have been created from fire, as stated in several places in the Qur’an:

❝ And the jinn We created before from scorching fire. ❞
(Surah Al-Hijr: 27)

❝ And He created the jinn from a smokeless flame of fire. ❞
(Surah Ar-Rahman: 15)

➊ Types of Jinn​

The Qur’an confirms that some jinn are righteous and Muslim, while others are unjust and wicked:

❝ And among us are the righteous, and among us are others not so. ❞
(Surah Al-Jinn: 11)

❝ And among us are Muslims, and among us are the unjust. ❞
(Surah Al-Jinn: 14)

➋ Can Jinn Be Controlled?​

Yes, jinn can be controlled — as was the case with Prophet Sulayman عليه السلام, to whom Allah subjected the jinn and they obeyed his commands:

❝ And (We subjected to him) the devils — every builder and diver. ❞
(Surah Sad: 37)

❝ And among the jinn were those who worked under him by permission of his Lord. ❞
(Surah Saba’: 12)

➌ The Prophet ﷺ and the Jinn​

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once intended to capture a jinn but let it go, remembering the supplication of Sulayman عليه السلام.
(Sahih Bukhari, Tafsir of Surah Sad)

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه once encountered a jinn who taught him Ayat al-Kursi and was captured twice.
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Wakala)

➍ Islamic Ruling on Controlling Jinn​

It is not permissible for ordinary people to control or seek help from jinn. The control over jinn was a specific miracle granted to Sulayman عليه السلام. There is no legitimate evidence that common people can or should attempt to do the same. Forming relationships or seeking assistance from jinn is strictly prohibited:

❝ And that there were men from mankind who sought refuge in men from the jinn, so they [only] increased them in burden. ❞
(Surah Al-Jinn: 6)

➎ Protection Against Jinn​

If someone is affected by jinn, or it is claimed that jinn are involved, treatment should be according to the Qur’an and Sunnah. This includes reciting:

• Ayat al-Kursi
• Surah Al-Fatiha
• Surah Al-Baqarah
• Surah Al-Ikhlas
• Surah Al-Falaq
• Surah An-Nas

The Prophet ﷺ said:
❝ Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi will remain under Allah’s protection, and no jinn or devil can come near him. ❞
(Sahih Bukhari)

➏ Ruling on Summoning Jinn or Consulting Them​

It is impermissible for ordinary people to summon, control, or question jinn. Such actions are discouraged and could lead to shirk (polytheism) or deviance. Treatment should be spiritual and based on Qur’anic recitation and prescribed prophetic supplications.

➐ Summary​

◄ Jinn can be controlled, but this power was uniquely granted to Sulayman عليه السلام and is not permissible for ordinary people.
◄ Treatment for jinn-related issues must be based on Qur’an and Sunnah, avoiding un-Islamic methods.
◄ Summoning jinn or seeking help from them is forbidden and contrary to Islamic teachings.