In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
CONTENTS:
- What is Jinn?
- Why can't we see Jinn?
- Three sources of whispering:
- Why Allah created Jinn?
- Why Allah made Iblis(leader of jinn) as Shaytan?
- Why Allah allowed shaytan to whisper?
What is Jinn?
Jinn is another creation of Allah like Human and Angels. But angels doesn't have free will like both jinn and human. So angels always obeying Allah, they are perfect model of Allah's servants. But we human and jinns have ultimate free will because we are in a test for the higher prize(paradise) that we both agreed to do. (Click here to know the delails: purpose of life)
The world of the jinn is an independent and separate world, with its own distinct nature and features that are hidden from the world of humans. Jinns and humans have some things in common, such as the possession of understanding and the choice between the way of good and the way of evil. The word 'jinn' comes from an Arabic root meaning 'hidden from sight'. So we can't see them. But Jinns can see us.
“…He (shaytaan) and his tribe surely see you from whence you do not see them…” (Quran 7:27)
Why can't we see Jinn?
Allah has told us in His Book the essence from which the jinn were created. Allah says,
"And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame of fire." (Quran 15:27)
Smokeless fire may mean something other than usual fire. It may be some kind of energy which is not visible because of the spectrum of light, just like we don't see ultraviolet light. So there is a logical idea in 'smokeless flame of fire'. Because this fire mentioned in the Quran is a kind of energy. We know that, we can't see all energies but we can feel it. Our eyes, ears, even brain has limits. Science tells us: there are many things around us on earth that we can't see or hear. Most of them are energies.
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Hydrogen flame vs Propane Flames in Daylight (We can't see Hydrogen flame with naked eyes) |
Allah says in the Quran, Allah made Human from water and also from extract of clay. And Jinns are from Fire (Not usual fire that we know). There are 117 identified elements on earth and all the earthy life forms evolved from some combination of these elements, with water playing a fundamental role. While elements have been identified, and are scientifically verifiable, we do not know how many forms of energy exist in the universe, but known forms include electrical, radiant, thermal, sound, motion, gravitational, chemical, nuclear, mechanical, solar, geothermal, hydro, fossil, biomass, wind, and natural gas. Moreover, since, each of these classes of energy has multiple subclasses, it is estimated that there are hundreds of kinds of energy. For example, visible light has various wavelengths representing numerous colors, each representing a different kind of energy within the visible light class. Within light there are spectra that are invisible to us, i.e. UV and IR lights that we utilize for our benefits (taking x-rays and for sterilizing various objects).
If “smokeless fire” is interpreted to refer to a class of energy, then the Holy Qur’an seems to suggest the possibility that certain life forms have arisen from energy sources: “And indeed, We created man from sounding clay of altered black smooth mud. And the jinn, We created aforetime from the smokeless flame of fire” (Quran 15: 26-27). It stands to reason that our 3-D-limited vision and linear interpretation of time prevents us from seeing life forms that exceed these dimensions, but many people, from many faiths, have insisted that they have felt their influence.
So they are made from energy. So we can't see them but we can feel them. For example :
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| We can't see the electricity. But we can feel it |
An electric shock occurs when a person comes into contact with an electrical energy source. Electrical energy flows through a portion of the body causing a shock. So the same thing is in the case of Jinn. We can't see them but they can impact in our mind through whispering. But we can't imagine that it is like a human coming to us and whispering in our ears. It may be totally different because they are made from energy.
“who whispers into the hearts of humankind, From among the jinn and mankind".(Quran 114:5-6)
The above verse says about shaytan whispers into the hearts of humankind. The shaytan is not only from Jinn but also from Human. The word Shaytan is used to represent the evil advisors. So the whispers are made by both Jinn and Human. But we only have seen it from Human but sometimes we may get some bad thoughts when we approaching to something or somewhere. The kind of whispering which tempts a person to listen to or look at haram (unlawful) things or to commit immoral actions, and makes such things appear attractive to him, comes from three sources: the nafs (or self), which is inclined to evil, the devils among the jinn (demons), and the devils among mankind. We can avoid whispers from jinn easily than from human beings. Theses whispers are something like Positive energy and negative energy. For example sometime people say 'That person is always giving negative energy to us'. This same thing is also related to shaytan.
Three sources of whispering:
Allah says, describing the first source, which is the nafs (ourself)
“And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein(Quran 50:16)
Allah says, describing the second source, which is the devils among the jinn
“Then Satan whispered to him; he said, "O Adam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and possession that will not deteriorate?" (Quran 20:120)
And Allah says, describing the third source, which is the devils among mankind
“who whispers into the hearts of humankind, From among the jinn and mankind".(Quran 114:5-6)
Why Allah created Jinn?
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me” (Quran 51:56)
Allah created jinn and human to worship him alone and obey him. We know that what are the guidelines of Allah for human and what are prohibited by Allah for human. But we don't know exactly what is the law Allah given to Jinns. And that is also none of our business. One thing is clear that one of the great sin after shirk may be whispering to human being. That may be one of the test Allah given to them.
Why Allah made Iblis(leader of jinn) as Shaytan?
Actually Allah didn't chose Iblis to be shythan. But Iblis himself challenged to Allah, he will misguide human to prove that human are not greater than Jinns. And Allah said that Iblis became Shaythan (Evil) because of his arrogance. Allah says in the Quran. Allah asked to souls of all his creations, Do you want to be tested with ultimate free will(full freedom) to get paradise? or do you want to be a perfect slave of Allah? all creations of Allah was rejected to take this task but Human and Jinns are took this task to get full freedom and paradise. “Indeed, we offered the Trust (task in the earth) to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, and they declined to bear it and feared it; but man [undertook to] bear it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant.” Quran (33:72). So Allah gave both of us, the ability of freedom to choose good and bad.
There are some Quran verses about the arrogance of Iblis:
“And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud. And the jinn We created before from scorching fire.” (Quran 15:26-27)
And, when your Lord said to the angels, "I will create a human being out of clay from an altered black mud. (Quran 15:28)
Addressing the Divine angels, He continues: And when I completed the creation process and I blow into him a noble, clean and splendid soul out of My Own, all and each one of you prostrate before him.
The verse says:
“So when I have completed him and I have breathed into him of My Spirit, fall you down, prostrating yourselves unto him.” (Quran 15:29)
The creation of man then was over and man was provided for
with whatever of body and soul was required for him. Everything was
accomplished: At this moment, all angels prostrated without any exceptions
before him.
The objective meaning of the blowing of Allah’s spirit into man is not the state of being alive and to breathe, for animals also do the same thing. However, the purpose is the bestowal of such qualifications as creativity, will, and knowledge from the part of Allah accorded to human beings.
The attributing of spirit to Allah is for the sake of elevation of the position of spirit, such as the words as /bayt-ul-lah/ (House of Allah) and /šahr-ul-lah/ (the month of Allah).
The prostration of the angels before man was not a
ceremonial kind of prostration. It was meant to present the modesty of angels
when confronting man himself and the human generations. That is, the angels are
also at the service of man and submissive to him.
The Quran says:
“So the angels fell prostrate, all of them together,” (Quran 15:30)
The only one who did not obey this order was ’Iblis. Therefore, it adds:
“Except Iblees; he refused to be with those who prostrated.” (Quran 15:31)
It was on this occasion that ’Iblis was interrogated, in the
course of which he was addressed as follows:
“He said: ‘O’ Iblis! What is your reason for not being with those who prostrated (in obedience)?” (Quran 15:32)
Iblis who was selfishly engaged in matters of pride and egoism, so much so that he had lost his wisdom, responded to the Lord in a rude way, as the verse says:
“(’Iblis) said I am not such that I prostrate myself unto a man whom you have created of raw clay, of black mud moulded’.” (Quran 15:33)
He who had not been kept in touch with the secrets of creation due to his pride and egoism, and who fell down suddenly from the climax of his position, was no more eligible to be among the ranks of the angels. Therefore, he was immediately addressed by Allah, as such:
“He said: ‘Then get out of it, for verily you are driven away accursed’.” (Quran 5:34)
And Satan was warned to beware that his arrogance served as the source of his disbelief. This disbelief made his cast off for ever. The verse says:
“And, verily, the curse will be on you until the Day of Judgment.”(Quran 15:35)
As ’Iblis found himself an outcast from the threshold of the Allah’s court and felt that man’s creation caused his misfortune, the flames of hatred started within him so as to take vengeance on the sons of Adam.
It was why, as the verse says:
“(’Iblis) said: ‘O’ Lord! Respite me then till the day when they are raised?” (Quran 15:36)
This the Satan asked not for the sake of repenting, or for the sake of regretting as to what he had done, seeking to compensate for everything, but rather in order to continue his obstinacy, hostility, and his stiff-neckedness. So did Allah accept this request of ’Iblis. The verse says:
“Said He: ‘Then verily you are of the respited ones’.” (Quran 15:37)
However, this respite does not extend in time as far as the
Day of Judgment on which all mankind will be raised, as ’Iblis requested, but
for ‘a definite time’.
The verse says:
“Till the day of the appointed time.” (Quran 15:38)
The objective in mind when mentioning “Till the day of the
appointed time.”, is the end of this world and the rolling up of the designated
duration of the duties.
“(’Iblis) said: ‘O’ Lord! because You have left me to stray, certainly I will adorn (evil) to them on the earth, and certainly I will cause them all to go astray’.” “Except Your chosen servants among them.” (Quran 15:39-40)
Here we find ’Iblis revealed and exposed his true hidden intention, though nothing was hidden from Him, when ’Iblis answered Allah implying that He refused him and it was this ‘man’ who paved the ground for his misfortunes, ’Iblis should be engaged from then on in attracting them to the material blessings of this world by decorating and vanishing them, thus seeking to make them engaged in them. Therefore, ultimately, he would cause them all to be misled.
Nevertheless, he knew well that his mischief would never
leave any impact on the devotee servants of Allah. Therefore, he soon made an
exception to his saying, and said: “Except Your chosen servants among them.” These
are those who have attained the highest levels of Faith and practice which have
been brought about after going through a thorough educational curriculum and
struggle against their ‘egotistic selves’.
Allah never leads anyone astray. However, if someone seeks
willingly to accept the deviant path, Allah may leave him alone. This
abandoning is the utmost case of the Divine punishment and outrage. As ’Iblis
also willingly selected the path of arrogance and obstinacy, Allah left him to
his own means.
Then the objective in saying /’aqwaytani/ (you have left me
to stray) is meant in the same sense. That is, now that You no longer locate me
within the reach of Your blessings and You left me alone to my own devices for
the sake of my obstinate behavior, I will then do this and that.
“Said He: ‘This is for Me a straight path (which I have undertaken)’.”“Verily, (as regards) My (devoted) servants, there is not for you over them any authority, except those who follow you of the deviators.” (Quran 15:41-42)
That is, Allah’s way of treatment is such that He Himself
guarantees their protection, and this does not imply that ’Iblis would have
nothing to do with them. On the contrary, he might not be in a position to
exercise any power over them.
The verse says:
“Said He: ‘This is
for Me a straight path (which I have undertaken)’.”
Thus, the Satan has got no power over those who are devoted
to Allah and are submissive to Him. If we can enter the circle of Allah’s
servants through our worshipping and virtue, we may be insured and can be rest
assure.
The verse says:
“Verily, (as regards)
My (devoted) servants, there is not for you over them any authority, except
those who follow you of the deviators.”
Incidentally, the Satan’s job is engaging man in mischief
and not exercising or exerting his domination:
“…there is not for
you over them any authority…”.
In the resurrection day, the Satan, answering the people’s
protests, will say:
“I only invited you;
I did not put you under any obligation or domination.”
Anyway, in order to despise the Satan and to reinforce the
position of the truth-seeking individuals and those who are the followers of
the path of monotheism, He said that the straight path which He has undertaken
is His usual way of treatment and that Satan will have no authority or
domination over His servants except on those misled ones who may voluntarily
follow his footsteps.
That is, it is not indeed Satan who is able to seduce
people. Rather, it is the deviants who willingly accept Satan’s call and follow
his footsteps.
Why Allah allowed shaytan to whisper?
As I mentioned in beginning, we human and jinn are ourselves chose to be tested in this world (read my article : purpose of life). So Satan is the part of the test, Allah know well that Iblis has arrogance in his heart before Iblis disobeying Allah. And Allah know that even before asking to Human soul: Do you want to take this task?. Because Allah knows past, present and future.
So there may be a doubt: Why Allah allowed Satan to Whisper in human hearts?
If Allah stop Iblis or Adam disobeying Allah then there is no value for their free will. And Allah allowed Satan not only because of Iblis's free will but also to test human and jinn to know who is going to follow Allah's guidance and who is going to follow the way of Satan. So Satan is an important thing to test human being.
For Example: Somebody may pretend to be very smart when they are in a well mannered society or in a good group of people, then the only way is to bring that bad man from the good group is that somebody should go and invite him to do some bad things. Then we can understand is he good or bad.
Evidence is there in the story of Adam, Allah warned him about a particular fruit (that was a test for him) and he stayed away from it. But after the whispering of Satan, He forget about Allah's warning. But Allah forgiven him after the true repentance.
Allah knows what are we concealing in our hearts. But he needs to get evidence to show us on the day of the judgement. And there are divisions or grades in both heaven and hell, so Allah needs to know, who is better in deeds.
“I (Satan) only invited you; I did not put you under any obligation or domination.”
“From the evil of the retreating whisperer- Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind - From among the jinn and mankind" (Quran 114: 4-6)
It is clear that Satan's whispering is not like pushing us to do bad things, They just putting some bad ideas to us when we approaching to somewhere of something. Then choice is our. We can do it or remember Allah. And Allah never consider anybody as astray, if they didn't get enough guidance from Allah through the followers of Allah's guidence.
“And never would We punish until We sent a messenger” (Quran 17:15)
“And Allah will never lead a people astray after He has guided them until He makes clear to them as to what they should avoid”(Quran 9:115)
There may arise a doubt, why did Allah (swa) create creatures with possibilities when you have creatures without them like Angels who do exactly what they are told?” The answer is creation without such free will would have been meaningless. Only with contrasts that value is seen and appreciated. Fish for example doesn’t recognize the concept of water for all of its life lived in one. How lucky (or unlucky depending on your measurement) for the human to be chosen for such a heavy task, to witness and marvel on this astounding creation of God and to do so out of our own free will. would you like to be a slave don't have free will? No definitely not.
Remember that Satan's main goal is to repel a person from the way of Allah. So we need to be alerted when we facing any influence from both human and jinn. And obey Allah.
Allah knows best.
Reference:
Holy Quran
Islamqa.info
Article / fountainmagazine.com
islam.stackexchange.com
Article / al-islam.org
