Jinn: A Creation Different than Human
In the interpretation of the verse quoted above, some people have opined that Jinns were tremendously sized, very powerful people who were ordained for prophet Solomon (pbuh). However, this author does not accept this point of view based on the following reasons:
1. Quran addressed the Arabs in their own language and used the words as they are meant to be used. As a result, when Quran used the word جِنِّ, it used it in the meaning that was commonly understood in Arabic. If we must find a different meaning, it should exist at least in that language to be taken as such. As an example, the dictionary Al-Mawrid defines the meaning of this word as "demons, fairies".
2. The way Quran has used the word in some contexts clearly distinguishes Jinn as a species separate from human beings. For instance, Amin Ahsan Islahi writes:
If Jinn were another form of men then there was no need to mention Jinns separately here."1
3. In addition, in Surah Al-Rahman, it has been said that men were created from clay while Jinn were created from fire:
Quran has clearly put forth Jinns and men as two different creations of God. In other words, if Jinn were really men, then their creation would not be any different and they would come under the implication of 'insaan' in the above verse.
4. Finally, in Surah Jinn, prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has been told that a group of Jinns heard Quran from him and they really liked it:
Not only that prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was unaware of it, it had to be revealed by the Almighty because there was no way of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to know of this incident. The words "it has been revealed to me" lay an emphasis on this. Two conclusions that can be arrived at from this:
- Jinns also existed at the time of prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Therefore, it cannot be said that Jinns were a special kind of men in the time of prophet Solomon (pbuh).
- Jinns are something that prophet Muhammad (pbuh) could not get in touch with directly. Consequently, it can be said that they are a different creation (مخلوق) of the Almighty especially when seen in the light of
Quran 55:14-15 quoted above.
Later on, in Surah An-Naas, prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has also been recommended to seek refuge from the evil of both Jinn and men, once again clearly distinguishing between the two. Today, we also recite the same verses to seek refuge from Jinns!