Compiled by:
11. What Are the Forms of Jinn?
Answer:Allah Almighty states in the Qur'an:
طَلْعُهَا كَأَنَّهُ رُءُوسُ الشَّيَاطِينِ [As-Saffat 65]
"its fruit [i.e., of the Tree of Zaqqum] is as if they were heads of devils."
This verse likens the heads of devils to the thorns of Zaqqum, signifying their detestable and horrifying appearance. The hair of devils stands upright like the thorns of Zaqqum, indicating that devils have a frightful appearance.
12. Is It Possible to See Jinn?
Answer:Seeing jinn in their original form is impossible because Allah has said:
إِنَّهُ يَرَاكُمْ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا تَرَوْنَهُمْ ۗ [Al-A'raf: 27]
"Indeed, he (Satan) and his tribe see you from where you do not see them."
However, authentic hadiths indicate that jinn can appear in transformed forms. For example, the Prophet (ﷺ) once appointed Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) as a guard over charity wealth, during which a jinn appeared to steal from the charity for three consecutive nights, attempting to plead poverty. On the third night, the jinn instructed Abu Hurairah to recite Ayat al-Kursi before sleeping, and no harm would come to him. The Prophet (ﷺ) confirmed this advice, adding, "He told the truth even though he is a liar; he was a devil."
Jinn can also appear in the forms of animals like black dogs, scorpions, camels, snakes, black cats, and donkeys. A notable instance occurred when a jinn appeared in the form of Suraqah ibn Malik during the Battle of Badr. Jinn have also visited prophets in human form, such as to Prophets Nuh, Musa, and Isa (peace be upon them).
13. Are There "Ifrit" (Powerful Mischievous Jinn)?
Answer:Yes, there are. Allah states in the Qur'an:
قَالَ عِفْرِيتٌ مِّنَ الْجِنِّ أَنَا آتِيكَ بِهِ [An-Naml: 39]
"An ifrit from the jinn said, 'I will bring it to you.'"
This verse is proof that there exists a class of powerful jinn known as "ifrit."
14. How Strong Are the Ifrit Jinn?
Answer:15. Is Iblis (Satan) Among the Jinn?
Answer:Yes, Iblis is among the jinn. Allah states:
إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ كَانَ مِنَ الْجِنِّ [Al-Kahf: 50]
"Except for Iblis, he was among the jinn and departed from his Lord’s command."
This verse confirms that Iblis belongs to the jinn.
16. Do Jinn Have Messengers Among Them?
Answer:Messengers were only sent from among humans, not jinn. The Qur'an states:
يَا مَعْشَرَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ [Al-An'am: 130]
"O assembly of jinn and men, did there not come to you messengers from among yourselves, reciting My verses to you?"
Ibn Kathir explains that “messengers from among yourselves” refers to human messengers sent to both jinn and humans, but there were no jinn messengers.
17. Do Jinn Know the Unseen?
Answer:Only Allah is the Knower of the Unseen. Anyone claiming knowledge of the unseen is lying. Allah states:
وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَصَابِيحَ [Al-Mulk: 5]
"We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with stars... and We have made them missiles for the devils."
This verse implies that stars prevent jinn from accessing the secrets of the heavens. Additionally, the story of Prophet Solomon's death revealed that jinn did not know the unseen, as they continued working unaware of his death until a termite gnawed his staff and he fell.
18. Is the Rank of Humans Higher than That of Jinn?
Answer:Humans have a higher rank. Allah states:
وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ [Al-Isra: 70]
"We have certainly honored the children of Adam."
This verse illustrates that humans hold an elevated status, while no such honor is indicated for the jinn in Allah’s book or any prophetic tradition.
19. Can Jinn Be Killed?
Answer:Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah stated that unjust killing of jinn is prohibited. Killing is allowed only if they pose harm, such as when a jinn appears in the form of a snake or scorpion in one’s home. The Prophet (ﷺ) advised giving such creatures three days to leave, and if they remain, they may be killed. This is based on the hadith in Sahih Muslim:
"Some jinn of Madinah accepted Islam. If you see one of them in your home, give it a warning for three days. If it persists, then kill it."
20. Do Jinn Eat With Humans?
Answer:The Prophet (ﷺ) narrated that if a person neglects to say “Bismillah” before eating, Satan eats with them. Once, when a man was about to eat and failed to say “Bismillah,” the Prophet (ﷺ) mentioned, "Satan has been eating with him." When the man remembered to say “Bismillah” before taking his last bite, Satan vomited all he had eaten. This emphasizes the importance of mentioning Allah's name before eating to prevent jinn from partaking in the meal.