Section The Jinn – Part 6

Let’s continue with our discussion of Section Al-Jinn of the Quran. We had a few introductory sessions which were necessary to go through in order to benefit from the verses in this Section. The concept of Jinn is generally misunderstood and therefore necessitated to first be introduced to realize the existence of Jinn, i.e. how we should perceive and understand them. We last looked into the verse 72:4 which mentioned that Jinn said, “the foolish among us had been saying outrageous falsehoods about God”. We discussed that only after hearing the Quranic message would one realize the reality, the Absoluteness of God and avoid the falsehoods about God. This is equally valid for Jinn and human beings as well.

Historically, it is narrated that the Jinn listened to the recitation of the Quran when prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was performing and reciting Qur’an for his morning prayers. He was returning back from the city of Ta’if where the prophet was rejected, humiliated and stoned by people who ridiculed him. He (pbuh) was not welcomed by people who were attempting to expel him from their towns. He (pbuh) was praying with Zayd who was his adopted son. The narrators say that this is when this section Al-Jinn was revealed. We studied the first few verses which mentioned that the Jinn listened to the Revelation of the Qur’an and found the message amazing and something that guides them to the truth. After listening to the Revelation, they willfully submitted to this clear message to be the truth from their Lord. After realizing the truth, they said that the foolish among Jinn and equally men have been saying outrageous falsehoods about God.

We will proceed with the following verse:

وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّآ أَن لَّن تَقُولَ ٱلْإِنسُ وَٱلْجِنُّ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًۭا

72:5 although we had thought that no human or jinn would dare tell a lie about God. [only after hearing the truth did they realize that some human beings and Jinn do that.]

We studied that human beings and Jinn have many commonalities with the only difference being one has a physical body and the other doesn’t. The Jinn equally have a spirit with the same qualities that human beings have to distinguish between right and wrong, they are also responsible for their free will. There are evil ones among Jinn and equally among men. Similarly, there are believing ones among both Jinn and men. 

The verse presents the scenario with the innocent conclusion of Jinn after receiving the message where they thought that no human or jinn would tell a lie about God. Both human and jinn are mentioned together as being some among those that tell a lie about God. Similar to some people who won’t pay much attention to realizing the truth, keeping themselves busy just to take care of their life in terms of bodily needs. Even if they believe in a Creator, they wouldn’t necessarily need to tell a lie about the Creator of the universe. There are some though who have an outrageous enmity towards the Creator of the universe because they don’t want to submit themselves and only want to get hold of their own lives as they wish. They don’t want to be responsible before any other superior being. They cannot submit their existence to the superior being God because of their arrogance; they reject God. In a way they are trying to get revenge for their incapacity to be superior, i.e. they exhibit an inferiority complex by justifying their superiority. This is how one can understand the psychology of denial of God’s existence.

وَأَنَّهُۥ كَانَ رِجَالٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْإِنسِ يَعُوذُونَ بِرِجَالٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ فَزَادُوهُمْ رَهَقًۭا

72:6 And some men from humans used to seek refuge [help] with some men from jinn, but they [the jinn] only increased their confusion [with their speculations.]

The verse gives the news that: Some men are seeking to be helped by some men from among the jinn. The rhetoric and literary side of the Qur’an is emphasizing the similarities between man and jinn by using the same vocabulary, “men” in mentioning them. The verse continues with they [ the jinn] only increased their confusion [with their speculations], i.e. they made the truth confusing by adding speculations. The verse seems to be indicating what the Jinn said and thought regarding some human beings who were seeking help from some evil jinn. What would that mean to me? 

Let’s see how we can understand this news of human beings who try to seek help from Jinn. Now, human beings are expected to be using their human qualities, their spirit, their consciousness in order to get information to realize the reality of this world, the truth, and the reality of their existence. In a way, consultation happens within the human spirit which confirms that one is a created needy being, is needy and helpless, cannot give existence to anything. They cannot get any help from anything in the universe as they are also needy and helpless in their existence. 

Those seeking refuge with some men from Jinn look at the universe and see something is happening regularly, in a wonderful, miraculous way. Last centuries a trend developed as a reaction to Christian Theology in “the West” to reject the belief in the Creator.  This trend followed by those people who studied the universe and rightly concluded that the universe is not like as it is described in the Hebrew Bible. This trend has become very popular among the scientists who  say that they can utilize the things in the universe and benefit from them to serve human beings’ bodily needs. On the other hand, for the explanation of the existence of the universe they cannot say that the thing itself is able to do all these miraculous things; so what can they say now? They start to see the immaterial side of the universe and invent some vocabulary such as “accident” or the biggest one nowadays is “nature”, “natural laws are constant”, i.e. the laws are intrinsic to matter. How did the matter get those laws? How come those so-called laws exist if they are observed within the universe following a pattern? They try to contrive some imaginary terms to explain the non-material side of the universe which they cannot demonstrate as they do not exist. This constitutes the lies about the reality of existence, about its Creator. All these inventions, speculations, conjectures are whispered deliberately by the disbelieving Jinn although they do not realize that they are being inspired by something else than themselves. As we have discussed earlier in our “Introduction Sessions” to this Section of the Qur’an, which describes Satan as used to be a disbelieving Jinn and the “whisperer of all fictitious alternatives against the reality. We now can understand that the Qur’an is describing the source of these fabricated imaginary concepts as nothing but whisperings of Satan. Neither the universe, nor human feelings can really support these whisperings. That is why the Qur’an describes this as “And some men from humans used to seek refuge [help] with some men from jinn, but they [the jinn] only increased their confusion [with their speculations.]” Apparently, these people “do not seek refuge with some Jinn” and they claim that “they are trying to understand how the things in the universe act and at the end they concluded that everything is happening “naturally” by using other ways, but they are not created by a Conscious Being. The Qur’an says, all of these concepts they invent are nothing but the whisperings of Satan because Satan in the Qur’an represents any kind of concepts which have no reality in themselves. The point of the Qur’anic message to human beings is that it is warning them about any idea which has no reality as the whisperings of Satan. This is how the Qur’an describes: “Seeking refuge with some Jinn.”

We should consider the above in understanding the verse where some men are getting whisperings regarding the immaterial side of the universe from the disbelieving Jinn who is named in the Qur’an as “Satan.” 

How about good intentioned people? One can listen to one’s human spirit, use their human qualities to realize that they cannot stop their change, cannot create anything, cannot change the order of anything or get out of the order, but are subject to the order as established by the Creator of the entire universe. This is what my spirit, heart and human consciousness tells me. I come to this conclusion by looking at the universe and try to see what is going on in the universe. I see the universe to be also in the same situation that I find myself in. Similar to me, the things in the universe don’t have any power to give existence to themselves or anything else, they are also bound to the way that the universe is created, which is called “Wisely or orderly creation.” The component parts of the universe  don’t have any program or knowledge to know what is going on around them. They have no wisdom to themselves or free will to do what they want. Every part of the universe is existing as it is given existence in their position where they are. We get this information about the universe based on our observation by using our spirit as long as we are not arrogant. We have to be a person seeking the truth and when we do that, we automatically get connected to the believing Jinn, who represent the truth side of creation. 

The believing people and believing Jinn independently exist but we humans on the side of truth don’t feel the presence of the believing Jinn, i.e. we don’t experience receiving anything from the believing Jinn. The reason is this: Inspirations of the believing Jinn are combined with the inspiration of my spirit, inspiration of the angelic side of the universe, inspiration of Gabriel representing the meaningful truth in the universe in the form of speech (verbal explanation), and inspiration of the prophetic message. All these means of inspiration are conveying the same message.

The Jinn are representing the non-material side of the universe where the believing Jinn inspire with the same truth as conveyed by the other means which are the universe, prophetic message angels, and Archangel Gabriel. The believing Jinn also give the news of the Lord of the universe but their news is  exactly the same as the signs in the existence of the universe giving the news of its Creator; that is why we don’t realize inspirations from the believing Jinn; the believing Jinn’s inspirations have no independent effect on us. 

When it comes to the unbelieving people, they know that they are inventing something by studying the universe and continuously discovering incredible miraculous creations. Instead of referring the creation to God, they turn the reality by referring to “Nature” itself. What is “Nature”? They make it the source of existence of the universe. Instead of God, a new vocabulary is invented which is “Nature.” This is how I can relate to the news of the Qur’an mentioning “they [the jinn] only increased their confusion” [through their inventive speculations]. 

There are descriptions in the Quran where Jinn are trying to approach the Revelation of the Qur’an and are shot down. The stars shoot them down, i.e. they are rejected. These are some of the ways the Qur’an uses to teach us, in this case by using analogies for example to explain the reality of the universe. The shooting stars destroy the wrong ideas, and declare the evidence to the truth that the universe is constructed in such a perfect order that is arranged in its creation by its Conscious Creator. The wrongful ideas and misguidance are stolen from the universe where the truth is mixed up with falsehood resulting in confusion. These confused ideas are then whispered to human beings. The misguidance is taken from the universe and mixed up to be presented to human beings as “Nature” instead of the wisely planned order of the universe by its Creator . The perfect planning and order displayed in the universe is twisted to “natural laws” instead of “God’s Wise Laws”. 

How can I confirm what is right and what is wrong? In the creation of the universe there are many signs pointing to the Absoluteness of the qualities of the Creator of the universe manifested in each of its component parts. By using our reasoning, intellect, feelings, our spirit as well as the universe with all the signs, the scripture and the prophetic message, we can confirm the truth. For example, by looking at a laptop, I can conclude that it needs an engineer. Every component part of the laptop is shouting that I am put here by the Engineer of the complete laptop. If I claim that one part of the laptop exists because of its intrinsic nature therefore the entire laptop also exists in the same way, I would distort reality. The same goes for every being in the universe as declaring that they are put, ordered, planned by the Creator of the universe.  If I don’t want to accept this reality, I can distort this reality and go against my nature.

Why does the Quran present me with the news that the Jinn try to steal some pieces of Revelation? Some scholars interpret it in this way that while angel Gabriel brings the news from God to apply in the universe, the Jinn try to get it but they are stoned. The Qur’an mentions “Shihab”, shoot on them whoever eavesdrops on revelation. All ofcreation is taking place in such a wonderful way that the unbelieving Jinn cannot justify their claims. Whereas the believing Jinn go along with the news of what the universe clearly announces, they don’t contradict and support the message that Gabriel brought as it received the verbal message of the Creator of the universe to human beings. Human beings who confirm the evidence, signs in creation as qualities pointing to their Creator also join in supporting the truth. The believing human beings and Jinn are not disturbed or rejected by the existence of anything but are supported by many venues of the truth in the universe, in human intellect, feelings, the verbal message of God to a messenger human beings called the prophets. I welcome the news from God as none of the obstacles disturb me; everything in creation is welcomed as a sign, as a creation of God. Whereas the disbelieving Jinn and people are in trouble as they keep inventing lies such as theories upon theories explaining the reality of the existence of the universe.

وَأَنَّهُمْ ظَنُّوا۟ كَمَا ظَنَنتُمْ أَن لَّن يَبْعَثَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدًۭا

72:7 And they thought, as you [once] thought, that God would not send anyone [as His messenger]

Some translators added the word “once” which is not necessary. It is understood that we go through different stages in our lives with our understanding. Reality is presented to human beings by the Lord of the universe in one’s life journey while living in this universe. The whole universe is the evidence for me to question and realize what their existence refers to.

وَأَنَّا لَمَسْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ فَوَجَدْنَـٰهَا مُلِئَتْ حَرَسًۭا شَدِيدًۭا وَشُهُبًۭا

72:8 We tried to reach heaven, but discovered it to be full of stern guards and shooting stars 

There is also the verse we will look into later on 72:13 relating to this verse. The mentioning of stern guards and shooting stars are subjects to ponder over; they cannot be understood by the literal presentation. Why is heaven full of stern guards and shooting stars?  On the surface, the presentation of the verse is that some Jinn were doing something and some shooting stars were sent by God, the Lord of the universe. This is how the Qur’an presents the case. However, we should know that the Qur’an is sent to human beings where it speaks to guide them. Human beings need to question to find out what the truth is. I have to investigate how the stars and galaxies behave, if they can come into existence by themselves, if they act as they are doing now by themselves, if they have any qualities to be the source of their existence and actions, or are they totally subject to the will of the One who gave existence to the entire universe. The Qur’an gives the news to me that if any Jinn or human beings try to find out any source of existence in any of these stars, they will demonstrate to them that they are acting according to the Will of their Creator; there is no other way of explaining their existence and actions. That is described in the language of the Qur’an by analogy with “stern guards and shooting stars.” Any part of the universe never has any sign that will show that they are happening by themselves.

What is “ ٱلسَّمَآءَ” and “مَسْنَا” referring to in the verse? The word “مَسْنَا” is to touch something, the word “ٱلسَّمَآءَ” can refer to the sky. The word “سَّمَآءَ” has additional meaning as referring to the topmost of everything, the ultimate purpose of everything. In existence, we understand the ultimate purpose of existence is to let us know who its Creator is. For example, the ultimate purpose of a phone is to allow for communication with other people. All of the other features of the phone fulfill the purpose of the phone. When the Qur’an uses the plural form of “سَمَـٰوَاتٍۢ”, it refers to the skies, which are layers upon layers of the sky.

In the verse, the word “ ٱلسَّمَآءَ” in singular form is used, referring to the ultimate purpose, to teach why this universe exists and to get to know its ultimate purpose. Anything in the sky can be seen as a sign to the ultimate purpose of creation. The Jinn are speaking here mentioning that before they listened to the message of the Qur’an, before they received the news from their Creator, they tried to get to the ultimate purpose of existence of the universe but could not find it. These descriptions in the universe as presented in the Qur’an by using the word “ ٱلسَّمَآءَ” need to be understood as the ultimate purpose of the existence of the universe to demonstrate that they are witness to their Creator and there is no evidence any human being or Jinn can find in its existence.

The literal reading and understanding of the Qur’an provide fragments of truth that are mostly presented in physical forms. By looking at the physical form of anything in the world, there are many abstract meanings that can be extracted. For example, by looking at a cat, I can describe the color, its movements, and the desire to catch mice which are all physically observable. Using the Quranic word, what is the “  ٱلسَّمَآءَ” of the cat?  What is the ultimate purpose of the existence of the cat? As understood through the Revelation, the cat is a miraculous existence demonstrating the perfect qualities of its Creator. It is human nature to search for purpose and meaning behind existing things but may not necessarily be done with sincere intention. For example, if one decides not to submit his will to the will of the Creator of the universe, he wants to be independent, i.e. not having to submit to a superior being which is the attitude an atheist would take. The explanation of existence is similar to material scientists that all things are happening naturally by themselves. They cannot ignore the witnessing of the universe which is obvious. The universe is screaming that their Creator is the One who holds reigns to the whole universe; such a being must definitely exist. At the same time the universe keeps bothering them. How come different species of plants and animals are in existence? How come the species are so perfect which amazes the human mind? They are trying to find out any excuse to reject their Creator, in order not to submit to this Creator of the universe. The verse says “فَوَجَدْنَـٰهَا مُلِئَتْ حَرَسًۭا شَدِيدًۭا وَشُهُبًۭا” translated as “but discovered the heaven (  ٱلسَّمَآءَ) to be full of stern guards and shooting stars”. Everything in creation rejects this understanding that things are happening by themselves.  The phrase “حَرَسًۭا شَدِيدًۭا وَشُهُبًۭا”, refers to many shooting stars all around the universe that reject wrongful understandings through their way of existing . All inventions, theories that they come up with, are rejected by the universe as there is no such sign in the existence of things. Everything says: “No, you are just speculating, making predictions which are not real. You cannot find any evidence, existing in us that says I am the result of accidental happenings”. The denial of the Creator of the universe is hit by the shooting stars which represent all beings in the universe. 

The verse is presenting that the Jinn were trying to find an explanation to the existence of their creation and it was not until they heard the Revelation that they understood their Creator to be an Absolute One. All beings in the universe need a Creator. I don’t need to see Him. For example, do I have to see the engineer of my phone in order to believe that this phone must have a conscious engineer? The phone as it exists is declaring the qualities of its engineer. The parts of the phone say that “No, you cannot explain that I exist by myself and that I am doing things by myself, that is just speculation.” That is how every part of the universe sternly rejects ideas of natural laws and accidental happenings. The whole universe is evidence that rejects any idea denying its Absolute Creator.

وَأَنَّا كُنَّا نَقْعُدُ مِنْهَا مَقَـٰعِدَ لِلسَّمْعِ ۖ فَمَن يَسْتَمِعِ ٱلْـَٔانَ يَجِدْ لَهُۥ شِهَابًۭا رَّصَدًۭا

72:9 We used to sit in places there, listening, but anyone trying to listen now will find a shooting star lying in wait for him.

Some scholars argued about this word “ٱلْـَٔانَ” which means “now”. After receiving the message of the Qur’an believing Jinn and believing human beings can say: ‘Now, I understood”. The shooting star is now understood as a witness where I see the universe demonstrating the majestic qualities of its Creator. The awesome creation of the stars cannot be reduced to be the result of an “accidental” or “natural” happenings. Look at the galaxies continuously in motion, they are in harmony, demonstrating the glory of their Creator. Now, it is understood after the Revelation about this Majestic Creator. After understanding the truth, one would say: We were crazy to be looking for the source of existence within the universe. How meaningless it is to be looking for the source of existence of a thing within the thing itself. After receiving the news from my Creator do I realize how wrong I was to explain the source of existence to be within the universe. This is the foundation of describing the purpose of the Qur’an in a figurative way.