The story of the jinn, as narrated in the books of Siyar, is said to have taken place during the return to Mecca from the Taif expedition. However, it seems more appropriate to accept that this incident occurred later, when they set out for Suk’i Ukaz after returning to Mecca. According to a hadith we will mention later, this event took place in Nahle, which is located between Suk’i Ukaz and Taif. It is also mentioned that the Rasul of Allah (saw) led some of his companions in prayer, whereas during the return from Taif, there was no one with him except Zayd ibn Harithah. Therefore, we will separate the incident with the jinn from the Taif journey and start examining it separately here. 

Now let us begin this topic with a hadith from Sahih Bukhari: 

“The Rasul (saw) was walking towards Suk’i Ukaz with a few companions when, at that time, meteors were thrown at the jinn to prevent them from eavesdropping on the heavens. When the jinn returned to their communities, they were asked, ‘What happened? Why couldn’t you bring any news?’ They replied, ‘What can we do? We were prevented from eavesdropping on the heavens, meteors were thrown at us.’”

Upon this, some of their people said to them, “The obstacle preventing you from eavesdropping on the heavens must be something recent! Travel throughout the east and west of the earth and find out what this thing is that hinders us from receiving news from the heavens!” So, some of them headed towards the direction of Tihama. While passing through Suk’i Ukaz, they reached the place where the Rasul of Allah (saw) was present in Nahle. At that moment, our Master was leading his companions in the morning prayer. When they heard the recitation of the Noble Qur’an during his prayer, they paid attention. Then they said to each other, “This is the thing that prevents us from receiving news from the heavens.” Afterwards, these messengers returned to their people and said, “We have heard an astonishing recitation of the Quran that guides towards righteousness and guidance. We have believed in it and will not associate anything as partners with our One and Only Rabb!” Subsequently, Allah revealed the Surah Al-Jinn to our Master (saw).” 

Now, let us examine this topic by paying attention to some of the verses in the Qur’an that were revealed concerning the jinn:

Say: “It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened (to the Quran) and said, ‘Indeed, we have heard an amazing Quran.’”

“It guides to the right course (maturity/perfection), so we have believed in it. And we will never associate partners to our Rabb!”

“Indeed, exalted is the nobleness of our Rabb; He has not taken a wife or a son!”

“Our inadequate understanding has been making us claim foolish things about Allah!”

“We had thought that mankind and the jinn would never speak a lie about Allah.”

“And yet there were men and women from mankind who sought refuge in men and women from the jinn, thereby increasing (provoking each other) in excessive (carnal) behavior.”

“And they had thought, as you thought, that Allah would never resurrect (ba’th) anyone.” (This verse indicates that jinn, like humans, have no proficiency pertaining to life after death/resurrection.)

“And we touched the heaven but found it filled with powerful guards (forces) and burning flames (rays that impeded our judgment).”

“And we used to take up positions therein to listen, but whoever listens now will find a burning flame lying in wait for him.”

“And we do not know whether evil is intended for those on earth (body) or whether their Rabb intends for them a right course (the maturity to observe the reality). (This verse is a clear proof that the jinn have no knowledge of how people will live; how their essential composition of Names will manifest in their lives and what their purpose of manifesting in the sight of Allah is.)

“And among us are the righteous, and among us are those who are below (the righteous state); we are of various ways (different breeds/species/races; a cosmopolitan community of different make-up and understanding).”

“And we have become certain that we can never invalidate Allah’s command upon earth, nor can we escape Him by flight.”

“When we heard the guidance (Quran), we believed it was the reality. And whoever believes in his Rabb as his own reality, will not fear any deprivation (of his rights) or derogation.”

“And among us are those in submission, and among us are wrongdoers who rebel against the commands. And those who submit are the aspirants of the fullness of the reality.”

“But as for the wrongdoers who disobey the commands, they will be firewood for Hell!”[1]

***

And We directed to you a group of the jinn (beings outside the human visible spectrum), so they may listen to the Quran... When they were ready for it, they said, “Be silent!” And when it was concluded, they went back to their people as warners.

They said, “O our people, indeed we have heard a knowledge revealed after Moses confirming what was before it, which guides to the Truth and to a straight path (tariq al-mustaqim; knowledge that leads to the realization of one’s servitude to Allah, with or without their consent).

“O our people, respond to the DAI’ALLAH (the jinn perceived him as the Dai’Allah not the Rasulullah; misused words such as ‘messenger’ denoting a courier of information derive from this word) and believe in him; Allah will forgive for you some of your sins and protect you from a great suffering...”[2]

Note:

The jinn recognized the Rasuls as ‘DAI’ALLAH,’ which literally means the ‘inviters of/to Allah.’ The commonly used phrase ‘Messenger of Allah,’ which denotes a postman position to the Rasuls, also arises from this word.

***

And they have assumed between Him (Allah) and the jinn (conscious beings outside the human capacity of perception) a connection (i.e., associated divinity to them), but the jinn know well that, indeed, they (who made such assumptions) shall surely be summoned (will realize such a connection does not actually exist)![3]

***

“O communities of jinn and mankind, did there not come to you Rasuls from among you, relating to you My messages pointing to the reality and warning you of the coming of this Day?” They will say, “We bear witness against ourselves”; and the worldly life (they had conjured based on corporeality) had deluded them, and they will bear witness against themselves that they were deniers of the knowledge of the reality.[4]

***

The Day when He will gather them together (and say), “O community of jinn, you have truly possessed (misled from reality) the vast majority of mankind.” And their allies among mankind will say, “Our Rabb, we mutually benefited from each other, and we have now reached our term, which you appointed for us.” He will say, “The Fire is your residence, wherein you will abide eternally, except for what Allah wills...” Indeed, your Rabb is the Hakim and the Aleem.[5]

Attention should be given to this verse! We will explain it later, Allah willing.