Weird A-Z. J is for Jinn

Weird A-Z. J is for Jinn

Jinn are ugly and evil demons in Arabian and Muslim folklore, having supernatural powers which they can grant to people who possess the powers to call them up. The singular of Jinn is Jinni or Djinni, and in the West they came to be called Genies. 

In legend, King Solomon had a ring with which he called Jinn to assist his armies in battle. In Islam, Jinn are fiery spirits associated with the desert. While they are disruptive of human life, they are considered worthy of being saved.

A person dying in a state of sin may be changed into a Jinni, in the period of separation between this world and the next. The greatest Jinni is Iblis, who used to be known as Azazel, the Prince of Darkness, i.e. the Devil. The Jinn were thought to be lower-ranking spirits than angels, because they are made of fire and are not immortal. They can take on human and animal forms to influence men to do good or evil.

According to Persian mythology, some of them live in a place called Jinnistan, but others relate that they live with other supernatural beings in the Kaf, mystical emerald mountains surrounding the Earth.

The Arabic origin of the name means 'hidden'. In the Qur'an (Koran), there are three sentient beings: angels, humans and Jinn. Two of these creations have free will; humans and Jinn. The Qur'an mentions that Jinn are made of smokeless flame, living in a parallel world to mankind. Their form can be similar to humans if they choose to spiritually possess a human body. Jinn can be good, evil or neutrally benevolent.