A jinn, also known as a genie, is a spirit in Arabic mythology that inhabits the earth but is unseen by humans. They are capable of assuming various forms and exercising extraordinary powers
. Jinn are created from smokeless flame and are parallel to human beings in many aspects, such as having intellect and the freedom to choose between right and wrong
. They can be found in various environments, including caves, deserted places, graveyards, and darkness
. Belief in jinn is widespread in many countries, with varying percentages of Muslims believing in their existence. For example, in Southeast Asia, 77% of Malaysian Muslims believe in jinn, while fewer in Indonesia (53%) and Thailand (47%) share this belief. In the Middle Eastern and North African nations surveyed, belief in jinn ranges from 86% in Morocco to 55% in Iraq
. Jinn are known to have certain characteristics and abilities, such as:
- Invisibility to humans
- The ability to assume human or animal form
- The power to take on different shapes
- The ability to marry, produce children, eat, drink, and die
- The capacity to cause physical and mental harm to human beings, including possession
In Islamic writings, jinn are considered real creatures that form a world separate from that of mankind. They are thought to be created from the smokeless flame and are capable of causing physical and mental harm to human beings
