S72. SURATUL JINN

NAME: This Surah quotes the statement of Jinns which has given the name “Surat-ul- Jinn” to it.
TIME OF REVELATION : It is Makki and was revealed before Surah Ahqaf. The contents give a hint that it might have been revealed in the first phase of the Makkan stage.
CENTRAL THEME : To explain that the Holy Quran itself is the testimony (evidence ) of its being the WORD OF ALLAH. So when a group of Jinns heard this Divine Word their conscience cried out that this is the Word of God and they at once declared their belief in it. They rejected polytheism as untruth and said that the call of monotheism mentioned in the holy Quran was absolute Truth. Similarly they also expressed their belief in the prophethood, reward and punishment.
ORDER OF VERSES : Ayah 1 to 15 quote the statement of a group of Jinns wherein they have given testimony to the truth of the Holy Quran’s being the Word of Allah and of its message’s being right.
In ayah 16 to 19 the address has turned toward the polytheists of Makkah and they have been admonished.
In ayah 20 to 28 some important points regarding the responsibility of a messenger has been explained and a warning of severe punishment in Hell has been given to those who disobey the Prophet.
DISTINCT FEATURE: This Surah is so well put together and there is such a wonderful fluency in it that man goes on reciting it continuously. The flow of river water too is nothing compared to the fluency of Quran because, while the former, after dashing with a mountain takes a turn itself for advancing, the fluent flow of the holy Quran crushes untruth to dust and makes the Truth victorious. Moreover, the rhythm of this Surah is such that on the one hand it is very sweet to the ears and on the other it moves hearts. In addition to this some such secrets of the unseen have been revealed which attract hearts for listening, thereby creating a sense of certainty.

72. SURATUL JINN Ayah : 28

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

1. (O Prophet ! ) say: It is revealed to me that a group of the jinn 1 listened (to the Quran) and said: We have heard a very wondrous Quran.2

2. Which leads to the guidance 3 so we believed in it 4 and we will never ascribe any partner to our Lord.5

3. And that the grandeur of our Lord is very high. HE has taken neither a wife for HIM nor any children.6

4. And that the ignorant among us used to say untruth against Allah. 7

5. And that we thought that men and jinn would never tell lie against Allah. 8

6. And that persons among men have been seeking refuge with persons among the jinn; thus they added to their rebellion. 9

7. And they imagined, as you imagined, that Allah would not send anyone as HIS Messenger. 10

8. And that we groped the sky and found that it is filled with strong guards and meteors.11

1. Explanatory notes regarding Jinns (genii) have been given on several places earlier. Please see Surah Anaam, note 190 and 287, Surah Hijr, note:25, Surah Ahqaf, notes 48 - 49.
Jinn is a hidden creation of God and hence it is one of the unseen things. The only source to know anything about the unseen is Divine revelation. Therefore, whatever the Book and the Holy Prophet’s traditions show should suffice us. Those who have talked a lot on the basis of imagination have opened up gates for superstitions and nonsense. It is strange that some ulema also have, quoted hearsay and unreliable stories generously. Consequently, relying on such baseless things, people have adopted wrong and irreligious behaviours. Some such are noted below briefly:-
(1) Whenever a person suffers from epileptic fits or any other mind trouble, especially whenever a woman becomes hysterias, instead of referring the case to a physician, they announce that she has fallen pray to an evil spirit, that a genie has seized her and that she is uttering the words of that genie (jinn). That is to say, the personal existence of that man or woman becomes totally suspended. Then they turn toward ignorant ‘Baawas’ for driving away that ‘jinn’. They take the patients to various shrines (dargahs). In this way they are given doses of Shirk (polytheism) and Bida’at (innovations) and they are beaten severely, thinking that this beating gives pain to the invader Jinn and not to the affected person. So the intruder has to flee. But on several occasions all these tricks do not work and the ailing fellow never recovers. The truth is that all this is mere superstition. Otherwise, such attacks of evil spirits are never proved in the light of the Holy Quran or the traditions. Neither it is a thing which appeals reason. What is the ground or basis on which it can be decided whether somebody is suffering from natural trouble or an attack of an evil spirit ? If, imagining him or her a sufferer from evil spirit that fellow is beaten up, will his or her illness not increase if it was due to natural reasons’? And where is the religious authority for resorting to such harsh punishment? Is it not a sheer oppression? It is totally false to say that such beating gives no pain to the affected person and that it only hurts the jinn. If it is so, blood should not come out from the injury (cuts) on that person’s body. But is it ever possible? This and such other several questions are enough to prove that this is nonsense.
(2) They also think the jinns can be brought under control. There is no basis for this thinking. It was only the speciality of prophet Sulaiman (Peace be Upon Him) that Allah had granted him control over the genie who were doing jobs like construction etc. for him. It was indeed a miracle granted by God to one of His Messengers.
(3) One more corrupt thought is that the jinns also marry with some human females and also that they beget children from them. This is a very foolish imagination, because, in such circumstance, a woman who is unlawfully impregnated can claim that a jinn had raped her. Will her statement be accepted as true? Will the punishment fixed by Shariat not be given to her?
(4) Some also think that jinns indulge in stealing also. Could they really do so, it could have created a terrible turmoil in human society. It would, then, have become extremely difficult to detect whether a certain theft was committed by a jinn or by a man. A watchman turned thief can easily claim that a jinn took the things away, not I. Will his statement be relied upon by the court? If not, why not?
In this connection some refer to this ayah of the Holy Quran according to which Allah had, addressing the devil (Shaitan), said:-
“and be a partner in their wealth and children.” (Bani Israail: 64)
They say that jinns become partners in wealth and children by stealing human property and by indulging in sexual intercourse with human females. But both these assertions are nonsense. This, certainly, is not the meaning of the Holy Verse. The meaning of Shaitan’s partnership in human wealth and off springs is that man may think that these things have been given to him not by God but by others, whereas they have been bestowed by ONLY ONE GOD.
(5) It has also been propagated that jinns know the unseen. But this is a totally false belief.
No one’ except God knows the unseen (ghaib). The Quran has emphatically rejected this belief that the jinns have a knowledge of the unseen. The Quran narrates the event of Prophet Sulaiman (Peace Be Upon Him) and says:
“And when he fell down, the jinns realised that had they had the knowledge of what was hidden, they would not have continued in this abject hardship.” (Saba:14)

2. The summary of the event of the jinns’ hearing the Holy Quran as narrated by Abdullah bin Abbas in Bukhari is like this. While proceeding to the market of Ukaz (situated between Makkah and Taif) the Holy prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) offered the Fajr prayer (Salat) at a place called Nakhlah, along with his companions. At that time a party of the jinns passing by that place heard the Quran being recited. That group of the genie had set out to find out what important event was to occur as they had seen in the skies that meteors were hurtling unusually amidst extraordinary defense arrangement in the outer space. Immediately on hearing the Holy Quran from the mouth of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). they said that this was that very thing for hiding which we were prevented from eavesdropping in the heavens. They were profoundly influenced by the Divine Words of the Holy Quran. So they at once accepted its call to believe in it. They went back to their community and told them the things narrated in these verses. Allah Almighty informed the Holy Prophet about this happening. (Bukhari Kitabut Tafseer).It has been further clarified in Tirmizi that Abdullah bin Abbas said: The Holy Prophet had not recited the Holy Quran in the presence of (in front of) the jinns nor had he seen the jinns. (That is, the jinns, per chance, heard the recitation and the prophet came to know of it only through revelation). (See Tirmizi, Tafseer Surah Jinn)
This statement of the jinns makes it clear that they knew the Arabic language and, therefore, when they heard the Quran they were wonderstruck by its miraculous fluency. Recognizing its extraordinary character, they at once followed that it was the Divine Word, And, really speaking, this is the very intention of this verse, It is to show that Quran in itself is the proof of its being the Divine Word. If there is a longing to know the Truth, not only men but even jinns find no difficulty in recognizing the Word of their Lord.

3. The hearing of the Holy Quran opened up the path way to Truth for the jinns. They were convinced that the path shown by the Quran is the path of Guidance which leads to Truth and toward God.

4. This group of the genie believed in the Holy Quran. It is thus clear that this scripture has been revealed for both the mankind and the jinns. Both a have been called upon to believe. Surah Rahman addresses both very explicitly and directly. Now when it is necessary for jinns to believe in the Quran they are also required to put Faith in the bearer of the Quran that is the Holy prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). For this purpose Almighty Allah has been making such arrangements through which the jinns themselves may reach the prophet and they may be able to hear the Quran from his own mouth. Besides this ayah, another verse 29 of Surah Ahqaf also testifies to this.

5. This shows that, like mankind, jinns also are affected by the false belief in polytheism. When such a group of the jinns heard the Quranic call to believe in Allah’s unity (Tawheed), they gave up their polytheistic thinking, expressed their displeasure for it and emphatically declared that they would always remain steadfast on Tawheed and would never ascribe any partner to Allah.
This ayah also clarifies that Guidance begins with Tawheed and that it totally negates polytheism (Shirk).

6. That the Grandeur of our Lord is so high that it is below His dignity to possess wife and children.To imagine Him like humans is to underestimate His Highness.

7. Like men, jinns also sometime.” talk foolishly about God.

8. We had been under the wrong impression
that the humans and jinns would never venture to tell the untruth regarding God. But now we have come to know that both of them have been telling untruth and ascribing falsehood to Him and that an entire structure of polytheism has been constructed on the ground of such falsehood.

9. It is mentioned in narrations that formerly when a caravan of the Arabs used to camp in a fearful lonely place in the desert they used to beseech shelter of the chief of the jinns of that place so that he may protect them from any genie harassment. It was a totally ignorant and polytheistic belief. Yet it added to the arrogance and to the superiority complex of the jinns who turned rebellious.
The protector is ONLY ONE GOD. Therefore to seek the protection of the jinns is totally wrong and false. Yet, even today, many ignorant people seek the help of jinns. This corruption of belief is a very serious evil which misleads people badly.

10. These jinns told their people that just as you had imagined that no prophet would ever come So also polytheistic men had also imagined that no messenger would ever arrive from God. But both are proved wrong. God has, to pave the way for Guidance of men and jinn, sent His Messenger Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) who)has arrived with this Holy Quran.

11. The jinns can fly in the outer space. When the Holy Prophet was sent to this world a strict guard of angels was posted in the sky and the atmosphere was filled with comets So that the jinns may not be able to interfere with the Divine communication with the prophet and so that they may not be able to eavesdrop.

9. And that we used to sit eavesdropping at some of its places but, now, whoever tries to eavesdrop finds a meteor in wait for him. 12

10. And that we did not know whether it had been decided to send down a calamity on those on the earth or their Lord intended to bestow guidance on them.13

11. And that there are righteous among us and also non-righteous. Our ways are different. 14

12. And that we thought that we cannot escape Allah on the earth nor can we escape Him by fleeing (into the sky).15

13. And that when we heard the Word of Guidance we believed in it. And whosoever will believe in his Lord will fear neither injustic nor any kind of excess.16

14. And that among us are Muslims (who surrender themselves to Allah) and also wrong-doers. So those who adopted Islam (obedience to Allah) found the path of Guidance.17

15. And those who are the wrong-doers will be the fuel of the Hell.18

16. And (it is revealed to me that) 19 had these people treed the right path WE would have given them drinking water in abundance. 20

17. So that WE may try them in it 21and who ever will turn away from the remembrance of his Lord22 HE will thrust him in a hard torment.

18. And that the mosques are for Allah, so invoke not anyone along with Allah.23

12. That is, we had made such spots in the sky wherefrom we were trying to sense the talks of the heavenly people, But now it is not possible. Now, whenever we try to eavesdrop, a flame of fire (comet or meteor) follows us.
It should be understood that these comets (shihab) are flames gushing forth from stars at a very high altitude in the sky. They are lying in ambush for the intruding jinns.
For further clarification please see Surah Hijr, note:16.

13. It could be imagined by observing such extraordinary arrangements in the sky that some revolutionary event was to take place on the earth. May be the earthly people were to receive Divine punishment or may be they were to get a lofty Guidance. This precaution was taken to prevent the jinns from getting any advance hint of it. They could not know which one of the two important events was to take place. Of course, when they heard the Holy Quran, their doubt was removed and they knew that the heavenly endoblast was for the sake of bestowing Divine Guidance on the earthly people.

14. It thus became clear that all the jinns are not evil. There are also righteous among them. Like human beings the jinns also follow different beliefs and practices. Since jinns to are responsible for their deeds they are also put to test by God and they have also been given the f reed om to choose between guidance and deviation.

15. That is, we knew that though we can fly in outer space, we are certainly not out of God’s control. If HE intends to arrest us we can never find any refuge on earth. Nor can we flee in sky. This statement of jinns shows their weakness before god. This negates the belief which makes them partners of God’s power.

16. The jinns not only informed their people about their becoming believers (Muslim) but also invited them too to become believers and told them that if they believed they would get full reward of it.

17. This statement of the jinns made the truthfulness of Islam all the more explicit. It shows that Muslims are not only in mankind but also in jinns. The converted jinns also told their people that to accept Islam is to gain Guidance.

18. In other words, those who are opposed to the true religion (Islam) will be sentenced in the Hell. Thus they expressed their belief in the ideology of reward and punishment (depending upon one’s deeds).

19. The narration of the jinns concludes here. Henceforth begin Allah’s Words.

20. Means the polytheists of Makkah and what is meant is that had they tread the high way of Islam they would have got a lot of wa ter. A ll prod uction d epend s on the availability of water. Its need is more in the sandy lands of Arabistan. Here as well as at other places, the Holy Quran has explained that God Almighty provides abundance in the provisions of those people who accept Guidance and walk straight.
For further explanation please see Surah Aaraf, note:152.

21. There always is an aspect of test in worldly bounties. It is to ascertain whether man becomes grateful to God or behaves thanklessly.

22. Here Masjids means places of worship which are always built to worship God. The Masjide Haram (Makkah) and the Bait al Maqdis (Jerusalem) are necessarily included herein. So also all the masjids which Muslims built. They also include the places of worship of the People of the Book because, originally they too were built for worshipping Allah.
What is intended to be conveyed is that the places of worship are reserved for ONLY ONE GOD and therefore HE alone should be worshipped therein. The worship of idols therein and rituals of polytheism therein are very big and serious criminal gestures.
Despite this hurmat (dignity) of the mosques there are some among Muslims who invoke others besides Allah for help and for hearing complaints. Instead of calling ‘Yaa Allah’ aur ‘Yaa Rabb’ they cry ‘Yaa Ghaus’ or ‘Yaa Pir Dastageer’ etc. Despite such invoking others than God they think their belief in the unity of God is not harmed.

23. One more of the ever-increasing innovations (Bida’ats) in the introduced recently in the mosques is that (in the direction of Madina) they hang a picture of the Prophet’s mosque, then they standup with reverence before it reciting ‘Yaa Rasoolallah , and offer Durood. As if there are two Quiblas, not one. The one is toward the Haram of Makkah for offering salaat, and the other toward Madina’s Masjide Nabavi (Gunbade Khidraa) for offering Durood. May Allah guide Muslims so that they may keep their mosques clean of polytheism and innovations.
My mission is only to convey Allah’s Word and His Messages and who ever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he shall have the fire of Hell wherein he will abide forever. (Al-Quran)

19. And when Allah’s slave stands up to invoke (pray) Him, these people surge upon Him. 24

20. Say: I invoke my Lord alone and associate none with him.

21. Say: It is not in my power to cause you harm or to bring you to right path.25

22. Say: None can protect me from Allah, nor will I find any refuge beside Him.26

23. My mission is only to convey Allah’s Word and His Messages 27 and who ever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he shall have the fire of Hell wherein he will abide forever. 28

24. Until when they see that which they are promised, they will realise whose helpers are weak and whose assembly is less in number.29

25. Say: I do not know whether that which is being promised to you is near or my Lord will defer it for a time. 30

26. HE alone is the Knower of the unseen and HE reveals His secrets to none.

27. Except to a messenger whom HE has chosen31 then He causes to march before him and behind him a guard.32

28. That HE may see that they have conveyed His Messages 33 and HE has surrounded all their affairs and HE has kept a count of every thing.34

24. The word ‘Abdullah’ (Allah’s slave) means the Holy Prophet. When he used to stand in the mosque and invoke (pray) only ONE ALLAH, the polytheists used to become very angry. They assembled all around him so furiously as if they were about to fall on him to crush him.

25. This is an instruction to the Holy Prophet: He may say to them that causing any profit or any loss or giving guidance or leading astray all is in the power of Allah. I do not possess any of these powers.

26. That is, I myself am fearing God and am afraid that if I disobey Him no one will be able to save me from His wrath and I will not find any refuge. When, despite being the Messenger of God I am fearful of Him how have you become fearless?!

27. It is not in the power of the prophet to give Guidance to anyone, But what he has been entrusted with is that whatever thing or whatever message be from God, he should convey it to the people, Thereafter it is the responsibility of the people themselves to accept it.
‘Balagh’ (to convey) is a general term. Whatever may be from God be conveyed and’ Risalat, (Messages) is a particular term meaning the Word of God.

28. Means those who will not accept the Messages brought by the Prophet and will not obey God and His Prophet will taste the eternal torment of Hell forever.

29. The polytheists of Makkah are proud of their powerful (in their opinion) helpers. They think their assembly is big; that, in opposition to them, the helpers of the prophet are both weak and less in number. But when God’s torment will fall on them these polytheists will realise that the truth was quite contrary to it; that now they do not have any helper, what to talk of their assembly!

30. That is, the worldly punishment promised to you (for disobeying the holy prophet) will certainly fall on you. Now, when this promise will be fulfilled, is known only to Allah. I do not know whether it is near or it is yet to take time.
For further explanation please see Surah Yunus, note:75.

31. Whatever unseen things the Prophet requires to know for fulfilling his prophetic mission are being disclosed to him by God. Beyond that, even the Messenger has no knowledge of the unseen (ghaib). So he does not know exactly when his enemies will be punished nor does he know when Resurrection will occur.
The extent to which a prophet is endowed with the knowledge of the unseen becomes clear from this ayah. Yet a section of Muslims has, by going too far in exaggeration, initiated arguments regarding the knowledge of the unseen possessed by the prophet, as if he had full knowledge of all the parts and the wholes of everything and that he is present everywhere (Haazir) and seeing everything (Naazir); that he hears the complaint or call of everyone and that he is aware of each and every condition of people, be it open or closed. They argue that such knowledge of the unseen was ‘Wahabi’ (bestowed by God). As if God had given away His godhood to him! What a polytheistic idea! Yet this thinking harms the least their belief in the Oneness of God.

32. Means HE appoints guardian angels in front and behind the Messenger so that the matters of the unseen (messages) may reach him properly and the devil may not be able to interfere in it.

33. And such extraordinary arrangements are being made so that the prophet may convey God’s messages to the people as they are. It means that whatever of the unseen is being conveyed to the prophet is being made absolutely safe by such arrangements so that he may be able to preserve them in his heart and shaitan may not be able to cast any doubts about them and the Messenger may convey them perfectly to people. By such provisions God wants to see that the prophet has conveyed HIS messages properly to the people.

34. That is, Allah is well aware of the condition of the prophets. HE keeps count of every thing. Hence there is no probability at all of any change being effected in HIS Word. If it so happens, HE will at once, catch hold of him. So the people should rest assured that whatever the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) says is exactly the Word of God which they must believe as TRUTH with complete trust and confidence and obey the prophet in every way.