INTRODUCTION TO ISLAM
By Abu Yusuf Daniel Masters, Abu Maryam Isma'il Kaka and Abu Iman Robert Squires.
Islam and Muslims
"Islam" is a Arabic means "submission to ALLAH's will." This word comes the same root as the Arabic word "salam"Which means "Peace." So the religion of Islam teaches that to achieve true peace of mind and security at heart, we must submit to God and live according with the divine message he sent. The most important truth revealed to mankind is that there is no deity worthy of being worshiped other than ALLAH, the All Powerful, and therefore all human beings should submit to Him
The word "muslim" refers to one who submits to God's will, regardless of race, nationality or ethnic origin. Being a Muslim entails willful submission and obedience active ALLAH, and a life according to His message. Some people believe, mistakenly, that Islam is a religion only for Arabs, but nothing could be further from the truth. There are converts to Islam in every corner of the world, not only in England and America, but in Bosnia, Nigeria, Indonesia and Morocco, which demonstrates that Muslims are of diverse races, ethnic groups and nationalities. It is also interesting to note that, currently, over 80% of Muslims are not Arabs - there are more Muslims in Indonesia than in any Arab world. So while it is true that most Arabs are Muslims, the vast majority of Muslims are not Arabs. However, anyone who submits completely to ALLAH and worships Him alone is a Muslim.
INTRODUÇÃO AO ISLAM
Por Abu Yusuf Daniel Masters, Abu Maryam Isma'il Kaka e Abu Iman Robert Squires.
O Islam e os Muçulmanos
"Islam" é uma palavra árabe que significa "submissão à vontade de ALLAH". Esta palavra vem do mesmo radical da palavra árabe "salam", que significa "paz". Portanto, a religião do Islam ensina que, para se alcançar a verdadeira paz de espírito e segurança no coração, devemos nos submeter a Deus e viver de acordo com a divina mensagem que Ele enviou. A verdade mais importante revelada à humanidade é que não há outra divindade digna de ser adorada que não seja ALLAH, o Todo Poderoso, e, por isso, todos os seres humanos devem se submeter a Ele.
A palavra "muslim" refere-se àquele que se submete à vontade de ALLAH, independentemente de raça, nacionalidade ou origem étnica. Ser muçulmano exige submissão deliberada e obediência ativa a Deus, e uma vida de acordo com a Sua mensagem. Algumas pessoas acreditam, equivocadamente, que o Islam é apenas uma religião para os árabes, mas nada poderia estar mais longe da verdade. Existem convertidos ao Islam em cada canto do mundo, não só na Inglaterra e Estados Unidos, mas na Bósnia e Nigéria, Indonésia e Marrocos, o que demonstra que os muçulmanos são das mais diversas raças, grupos étnicos e nacionalidades. Também é interessante observar que, na atualidade, mais de 80% dos muçulmanos não são árabes - existem mais muçulmanos na Indonésia do que em todo o mundo árabe. Portanto, muito embora seja verdade que a maior parte dos árabes seja de muçulmanos, a grande maioria dos muçulmanos não são árabes. Contudo, quem quer que se submeta inteiramente a Deus e adore somente a Ele, é um muçulmno.All praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds and peace and blessing be upon the best of creation who was sent down as a mercy for the worlds His beloved Prophet Muhammad Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him. Here we present a compilation of virtues of the Islamic greeting, Salaam
Offering Salaam Is An Islamic Duty
It has been narrated from Hazrat Ali May Allah be pleased with himthat the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "Commonly in Islam there are six rights of a Muslim upon a Muslim: when he meets him he should give him salaam; when he invites him (to a meal) he should accept it; when he sneezes he should bless him; when he falls ill he should visit him; when he dies he should accompany his funeral and he should prefer for him that which he prefers for himself."
Replying To Salaam Is A Duty Of A Muslim
Nasai narrates from Hazrat Abu Hurairah May Allah be pleased with himthat the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "There are rights of a Muslim over a Muslim: Responding to salaam, visiting the sick, following the bier (A platform upon which the corpse rests), accepting an invitation (to a meal) and blessing a person who sneezes."
This narration has been narrated in Sahih Muslim in these words, "There are six rights upon a Muslim". The Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himwas asked, "What are these O’ Prophet of Allah?" The Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himreplied, "When you meet him, give him salaam, when he invites you, (to a meal) accept it, when he seeks counselling from you give him counselling and when he sneezes and says Alhamdulillah, bless him, when he falls ill visit him and when he dies accompany his funeral."
Warning Upon Not Replying To The Salaam
It has been narrated from Abdur Rahmaan ibn Shayba; he says the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "A rider should give salaam to a walking person, a walking person should give salaam to a seated person, a small group should give salaam to a larger group, whoever then responds to salaam, it is for his benefit, and he who does not respond to salaam, is not from amongst us." Ibn Sunni has narrated this and also Imaam Bukhari in his book Al Adabul Mufrad. On these bases Allama Nawawi in his commentary of Sahih Muslim has said, "To commence salaam is Sunnah and to reply is Wajib." Similarly Hafiz ibn Abdul Bar says, "It is an unanimous agreement of the Muslims that to commence Salaam is Sunnah and to reply is Wajib."
The Virtue of Commencing Salaam
It has been narrated by Abu Umamah that the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "Whoever commences Salaam is very close to Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him)" Ibn Sunni has narrated this.
In Imaam Ahmad’s narration there is, "The closest to Allah, the most glorious and eminent one, from amongst all the people is the one who commences salaam."
Similarly Tabrani narrates from Abu Darda, who says that we asked the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him, "O Prophet of Allah, we meet each other, so who from amongst us should give salaam first?" The Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himreplied, "The one who is the most obedient to Allah from amongst you."
Reward For Giving Salaam
It has been narrated by Saalim that the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "He who says Assalaamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you) ten rewards are written down for him, and he who says Assalaamu Alaikum wa rahmatullah (Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy) for him twenty rewards are written down and he who says Assalaamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh (Peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessing) thirty rewards are written down (for him)."
In support of this Hadith we find a narration by Ibn Umar in Musannaf-Abdul-Razzak; It has been narrated in this Hadith that a person came in the presence of the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himand said, "Assalamu Alaikum." The Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himreplied, "Ten." Then a second Sahabi came and said, "Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullah." The Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himreplied, "Twenty." Then a third Sahabi arrived and said, "Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh." Upon this the Holy ProphetPeace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "Thirty." That is to say upon three words thirty rewards will be written down.
What is Salaam?
Imam Baihaqi narrates in discontinuation from Ibne Abbas, that As-Salaam is amongst Allah’s names and also this is the greeting of the dwellers of Paradise.
Imaam Bukhari in his Al-Adabul-Mufrad narrates from Hazrat Anas that the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "As-salaam is indeed a name from the names of Allah, which Allah has placed upon the Earth, therefore spread salaam amongst yourselves in abundance."
The Manner of giving Salaam
Abu Yala narrates from Hazrat Abu Hurairah May Allah be pleased with himthat the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "When anyone of you decides to offer salaam he should say ‘Assalaamu Alaikum’, because Allah, the most Glorious and Eminent one is As-salaam, for this reason do not commence with anything before saying Allah’s name."
Conduct With The Person Who Does Not Say Salaam
It has been narrated from Ibn Umar, that the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "He who speaks without firstly giving salaam, then do not answer him (to what he has to say)."
Spread Salaam
Hazrat Abdullah ibn Salaam says, "When the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himarrived in Madinah, the people lost no time in arriving in the presence of the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him. I was amongst the people who had arrived to see him. When I looked with thoughtfulness at the Holy Prophet’s Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himradiant face, I realised with certainty that this is no face of a liar."
Abdullah ibn Salaam says, "The very first thing which I heard the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsay was, ‘O’ People, spread salaam and feed the people, keep good relations with your kith and kin and at nightfall engage yourself in salaah while others are asleep, for you will enter Paradise safely."
In Mu’atta, Tufail ibn Abi Shayba regarding Ibn Umar radiyallahu anhuma says that one day when I came to Abdullah ibn Umar, he asked me to go to the market (with him). I asked, "What are you going to do in the market? You do not go to any salesman, or ask about any goods or its price nor do you want to sit in any market gatherings, so stay here with us, we will talk here."
Abdullah ibn Umar then said, "O Abu Battan, (he called him Abu Battan because Tufail ibn Abi had a large stomach) we are going to the market for the cause of giving salaam."
Similarly Ibn Sunni has narrated about Abu Imaam Baa’ali that he said to Muhammad ibn Ziyaad, "O my nephew the Holy ProphetPeace & Blessings Be Upon Himhas commanded us that we spread salaam."
A Rider Should Give Salaam To A Walking Person
It has been narrated by Fudhala ibn Ubaid that the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "A rider should give salaam to a walking person, a walking person should give salaam to a standing person and a small group of people should give salaam to a larger group."
Similarly it has been narrated by Hazrat Jabir May Allah be pleased with himthat the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "An elder person should give salaam to a younger one, one person should give salaam to two, a small group of people should give salaam to a larger one, a rider should give salaam to a walking person, a passer-by should give salaam to a standing person and a person who is standing should give salaam to a seated person."
Likewise it has been narrated by Abu Hurairah May Allah be pleased with himthat the Holy ProphetPeace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "A rider should give salaam to a walking person and a walking person should give salaam to a seated person and when a small group of people pass by a larger group they (the smaller group) should give salaam."
Similarly it has been narrated by Jabir May Allah be pleased with himthat the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "A rider should give salaam to a walking person and a walking person should give salaam to a seated person, but if two walking persons meet each other, then whoever commences salaam first from the two, is superior."
Similarly it is narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah May Allah be pleased with himhe the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "A younger person should give salaam to an elder person, a by-passer to a seated person and a small group of people to a larger group."
Giving And Replying To Salaam From One Person Is Sufficient
It has been narrated by Hazrat Ali that the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "The salaam of a person, from a passing group of people, will be sufficient on behalf of all the group, likewise if one person from those who are seated replies to the salaam, it will be sufficient on behalf of all the rest."
Giving Salaam To The Children
In Sunan-e-Abu Dawood, it has been narrated by Hazrat Anas May Allah be pleased with himthat, "The Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himcame by us at the time when I was a child together with other children and greeted us all with salaam. Then the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himtook hold of my hand and sent me on an errand (with a message). The Holy ProphetPeace & Blessings Be Upon Himwas waiting in the shade of a wall until my return."
Similarly Imaam Muslim, Imaam Ahmad, Imaam Tirmidhi and Imaam Darami narrate from Hazrat Yasaar May Allah be pleased with himthat he said, "I was walking with Thabit Binai when he passed by some children. He conveyed salaam to them, and began to say that once he was walking with Hazrat Anas May Allah be pleased with himand when he passed by some children he also greeted them with salaam. Hazrat Anas then narrated a Hadith, that he was walking with the Holy ProphetPeace & Blessings Be Upon Himand when they passed by some children, the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himgreeted them with salaam."
Similarly Imaam Nasai narrates from Hazrat Anas May Allah be pleased with himthat when the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him would set out to meet the Ansar, he would greet their children with salaam, and would place his blessed hands upon the children’s heads and make dua for them.
Similarly Imaam Bukhari and Ibn Sunni narrate that Hazrat Anas has related that the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsuddenly came upon some women, children and some servants who were returning from a wedding. The Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himgave salaam to them and said, "In the name of Allah, I love you all."
The Correct Words Of Salaam
Abu Tameema narrates from a Sahabi who reported, "I said ‘Alaikas Salaam (Upon you be peace) O’ Messenger of Allah."
The Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "Alaikas Salaam are the words of the deceased person’s salaam. When one of you meets his fellow brother, he should say Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah."
The Manner Of Greeting The Dead In The Grave Yard
It has been narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira that the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himcame towards the cemetery and said, "Alaikas Salaam (Upon you be peace), O’ people of this abode, from amongst the believers, verily, if Allah wishes, we are going to join you in a short while."
In another narration it has been narrated thus, that when the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himpassed by the graves, he would say, "Salaam be upon you, O’ people of this abode from the believing men and believing women, Muslim men, Muslim women, pious men, pious women, indeed if Allah wishes, we will join you."
The first narration has been narrated by Imaam Abu Dawood and the second narration has been narrated by Allama Suyuti in his book Jaame-us-Sageer.
Giving Salaam To The People Of A Gathering
It has been narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira that the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "If any one of you enters any gathering, he should give salaam. He should then remain seated to that extent he has in his mind, and when he decides to return, he should again give salaam. The reason being that the first salaam is not more rightful than the second, that is, he gives the first salaam and not the second." This narration has been narrated by Imaam Abu Dawood, Imaam Tirmizi and Ibne Sunni.
Reply To A Third Person’s Salaam
A person from (the tribe of) Banu Tameem narrates from his father who narrates from his paternal grandfather that he arrived in the presence of the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himand said, "My father sends salaam upon you."
The Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himreplied, "Wa Alaika Wa’alaa Abeekas Salaam (Peace be upon you and your father)." Imaam Abu Dawood, Nasai and Ibn Sunni have narrated this.
Similarly it has been narrated by Hazrat Aisha radiyallahu anha that the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himsaid, "Jibraeel sends salaam upon you."
Hazrat Aisha replied, "Wa Alaihis Salaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wabarakatuh (Peace be upon him and Allah’s mercy and blessings). You (O’ Prophet) can see things which we cannot."
Similarly Imaam Bukhari and Imaam Muslim have related Abu Huraira’s narration, he says, Jibraeel the trustworthy arrived in the presence of the Noble Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himand said, "This is Khadija, who is coming, she has with her a utensil in which there is curry (or he said food, or drink). When she arrives give, her salaam from her sustainer and myself, and give her glad tidings of a house in Paradise which will be hollow in which there will be no loud noise (din) nor weariness."
Ibne Sunni has narrated this narration in more detail. It is narrated by Amr bin Wahb that Hazrat Khadija set out in search of the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himin the upper part of Makkah Mukarrama. Hazrat Khadija had the Holy Prophet’sPeace & Blessings Be Upon Himfood with her. Jibraeel the trustworthy met Hazrat Khadija in the form of a man and questioned her regarding the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him. Hazrat Khadija began to tremble and thought that, probably he is from those who are out to harm the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him.
Hazrat Khadija mentioned this incident to the Holy ProphetPeace & Blessings Be Upon Him. The Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himreplied that he was Jibraeel the trustworthy. He has informed me that he has met you and he has also told me that you have food with you and that is Hees (a sweet dish). Hazrat Jibraeel the trustworthy has said, "Give salaam to Khadija from Allah the most glorious and eminent one, and give her glad tidings of a house in Paradise which will be hollow in which they will no loud noise (din) nor weariness."
Hazrat Khadija said, "Allah the exalted is Himself As-Salaam (The Giver of peace) and peace comes from Him, Salaam be upon Jibraeel, he is the messenger of Allah. Salaam be upon you and salaam be upon all those who are listening but Shaytaan.
O’ Prophet of Allah, what is the hollow house in Paradise wherein they will be no loud noise (din) nor weariness?"
The Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himreplied, "It will be a secure house made out of pearl."
Giving Salaam Even After A Short Separation
It has been narrated by Anas May Allah be pleased with himthat the companions of the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himwould walk together and when a tree would come in their way they would separate towards the left and right. Then on meeting each other, one of them would greet the other with salaam.
Salaam Upon The Noble Prophet Sallallahu Alaihe Wasallam At The Time Of Entering A Masjid.
Hazrat Abu Huraira May Allah be pleased with himnarrates the saying of the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him, "When anyone amongst you enters a Masjid" or he said, "When anyone amongst you arrives at a Masjid, he should send salaam upon the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himand say, ‘Allahumma aftahli abwaba rahmatik’, (O Allah, open the doors of your mercy for me) and when he comes out of the Masjid he should also then send salaam upon the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himand say, ‘Allahumma a’ithni min ash-shaytaan ir-rajee’ (O Allah give me refuge from the accursed Shaytaan). In the narration of Ibn Majah these words have been narrated, ‘Bismillahi was-salaamu ala rasullullahi’ (I begin in the name of Allah, Salaam be upon Allah’s Messenger)."
The Virtue Of Giving Salaam In One’s Own Home And Then Setting Out
It has been narrated by Abu Umamah Al Ba’ali from the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himthat he said, "There is no one like he who performs wudhu thoroughly and then washes both his hands, feet and face, then gargles his mouth and performs his wudhu in the manner in which Allah has commanded him but sins which he has committed by talking or walking towards are wiped away, such that sins committed by his limbs are forgiven. When he walks towards the Masjid he gets one reward for every step he takes. His salaah remains an extra bonus for him, that is when he enters upon his family, greets them with salaam and lies down upon his bed, for him is the reward of a full nights worship."
Imaam Bukhari in his book Al-Adabul Mufrad has mentioned a narration, "There are three types of people who are all in all in the care of Allah. If they stay alive they will find a life of sufficiency and if they pass away they will enter Paradise. One is he who enters his own home by giving salaam, is in the care of Allah the most glorious and eminent one. The second person who is in the care of Allah the most glorious and eminent one is he who goes out towards the Masaajid. The third person who is in the care of Allah, is he who goes out in the path of Allah."
Also Ibn Sunni relates a narration of Abu Huraira that he said, "It is the saying of the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him that definitely there is an illumination and light for Islam, like a pathway which is well lit. That a Muslim should worship Allah and must not associate anything with him. He must carry out Fardh Salaah, give Zakaah, perform Hajj of Baitullah, keep the fast of the auspicious month of Ramadhaan and enjoin right conduct and forbid indecency. To give salaam to your household when you enter upon them, and to give salaam upon those Muslims you pass by. If they reply to your salaam then the angels will return salaam upon them and if they do not answer to your salaam, the angels will reply to your salaam, and curse them or they will stay quiet with them. Whoever has let go of one of the above mentioned then he has let go of a part of Islam and whoever throws them all away has thrown Islam behind his back."
Likewise a narration of Sahih Muslim is narrated from Miqdad ibn Aswad May Allah be pleased with him, he says we three companions arrived in the presence of the Holy ProphetPeace & Blessings Be Upon HimThen the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himtook us to his household (family), there were three goats there. He (The Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Him) told the three of us to take the milk and distribute it amongst ourselves whenever we needed it. Miqdad May Allah be pleased with himsays, "We obeyed the command and would leave a portion for the Holy ProphetPeace & Blessings Be Upon Him." Hazrat Miqdad May Allah be pleased with himsays that the Holy Prophet Peace & Blessings Be Upon Himwould come at night and would give salaam in such a manner that it would not wake a sleeping person but would be heard by a person who was awake. Then he would go to the Masjid to pray his salaah and then would drink his own portion.
The Jinn
(something hidden or which cannot be seen)
The above is the root meaning of the word Jinn. The existence of the Jinn is firmly established by the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah and the consensus of the Scholars (Ijma’) It suffices to say that the word Jinn and its derivatives occur more than 29 times in the Qur’an. A related word "shaytan" and its plural "shaytana" together occur more than 80 times. In fact, there is an entire Surah called Surah Al-Jinn, which speaks in clear explicit terms about the Jinn.
The reality, which we have to affirm, is that the Jinn live in an established world unseen to us. They eat and drink, and procreate. Similar to Humans, some are righteous while others are not.
The Jinn were created before the creation of mankind. Their origin is from fire. The Qur’an verified these facts in Surah Al-Hijr:
"And verily, We created mankind from sounding clay of altered smooth mud and the jinn We created from smokeless fire."
(Qur’an 15:26-27)
The creation was also reported by Ibn Abbas (ra):
"Two thousand years before (mankind) was created, there were Jinn on (the Earth), and they caused corruption on it and shed blood. Then Allah sent against them a troop of Angels who beat them and cast them away to islands in the seas. So, when Allah said: ‘I am placing (mankind) generations after generations on Earth,’ They (the Angels) said, ‘Will You place therein one who will cause corruption and shed blood’ (Al Baqarah, 2:30), That is: Just as those Jinn did?? Then Allah said: ‘I know that which you do not know.’"
Al-Hakim
We can not ordinarily see the Jinn, unless they take a material form, which is usually in an unpleasant or ugly form such as a snake or a black dog, as opposed to angels who take pleasant and handsome forms. They can also take a human form. For example: In the battle of Badr, a kind of Jinn known as Iblis, assumed the form of a man named Suraqah Ibn Malik, and urged the disbelievers to move forward to the battle, saying:
"There is none who can overcome you today"
(Qur’an 8:48)
Then Allah sent the Angel Jibreel against him and when Iblis saw him, he cried out to the disbelievers: "I have nothing to do with you ! I see that which you do not see! I fear Allah, and Allah is severe in retribution," and then he fled.
There are 3 types of Jinn as described in the following authentic Hadith:
The Prophet Muhammad (saws) said:
"There are 3 types of Jinn; One type flies through the air, another type consists of snakes and dogs. A third is based in one place but travels about."
Tabarani and Buhaqi
Jinni:Is a term used by the Arabs to refer to one Jinn.
The 3 types of Jinn are as follows:
1 Amir: (Resident Jinn) used to mean that he is one of those who lives with people.
2 Shaytan: Used for a Jinni who is malicious and has become wicked.
3 Ifrit: Used for a Jinni who is stronger and more powerful than a Shaytan.
The way of life for the Jinn is just like Human Beings. For Example: they are accountable for their actions, just as Human Beings are.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
"I created Jinn and Mankind only in order that they might worship Me."
(Qur’an 51:56)
There are believers amongst them, who will be rewarded, and disbelievers, who will be punished, as they admit in the following verse from the Qur’an:
"And indeed there are amongst us, Muslims and amongst us, wrongdoers. As for those who accept Islam, they have sought out the right path. And, as for the wrongdoers, they will be firewood for Jahannam."
(Qur’an 72:14-15)
Whenever Allah sent a Prophet to mankind, the Jinn of that time could also receive his message. Thus, some Jinn came to Prophet Muhammad (saws) one night and he recited Qur’an to them, and taught them about Islam.
Muslim
They eat and drink, and have Fiqh regulations similar to ours. Just as we eat meat of animals slaughtered in the name of Allah, so do the believers among the Jinn . In addition, the Jinn are allowed to eat the bones of such animals.
With regard to this, the Prophet (saws) has instructed us not to use animal bones for istinja (i.e. to clean the private parts after relieving one’s self).
The Jinn also have conjugal relations; as evident from this verse:
"Therein (in heaven) are (women) of modest gaze, whom neither human being nor Jinn have touched before."
(Qur’an 55:56)
Another verse establishes that they beget children:
"Will you then take (Iblis) and his offspring as protectors in preference to Me, although they are an enemy to you?"
(Qur’an 18:50)
The Jinn, as any other living creature, will also die. This is mentioned in the Qur’an:
"Allah will say, ‘Enter you in the company of nations who passed away before you, of men and Jinn, into the Fire."
(Qur’an 7:38)
Iblis, however, has been given respite up to the Day of Resurrection.
"Allah said, you are, then, among those given respite up to the day of the time known (and appointed)."
(Qur’an 38:81-82)
Iblis is the Jinn who disobeyed Allah’s command to prostrate to Adam (as), and was consequently expelled from Heaven. Allah had promised him eternal Hell, but he had asked Allah to give him time before going to Hell to win over Adam’s descendants as their followers. Allah had granted him time, and Iblis has worked towards the destruction of mankind ever since. Shaytan is the term used to refer to Iblis and other disbelieving Jinn.
Iblis has his throne in the sea, and he sends out his dispatchments of shaytan to aggravate people. The dearest of them to him is the one who causes the most fitna (tribulation).
One of his workers comes and tells him "I did not leave (my victim) until I brought about separation between him and his wife." Iblis draws him near and says to him, "Yes, You (are the best)."
Muslim
Because of this evil nature of the shaytan, the term "shayatan" is also used for those disbelieving human beings that are active in corrupting and fighting righteousness. Allah has said:
Thus, have We made, for every Prophet, an enemy, the shaytan of mankind and Jinn, inspiring one another with, adorned speech by way of deception."
(Qur’an 6:112)
One of the shaytan’s endeavors in their attempt towards human destruction is to go up to the heaven’s and eavesdrop any news to carry on to earth. This news will be passed on to the fortune-tellers.
A’isha (ra) said that she asked the Prophet (saws) about how it is that the fortune-tellers sometimes foretell something which turns out to be true. He replied, that’s the word of truth that the Jinn manages to catch, and so he comes and whispers in the ear of the fortune-teller, and to one truth he adds one hundred lies.
(Bukhari and Muslim)
Man is always accompanied by a Jinn, who tries to incite him to evil, but the Prophet (saws) was protected from this harm.
On the authority of Ibn Mus’ud the Messenger of Allah (saws) said:
"There is not any one of you except that he has been assigned his companion from among the Jinn and his companion from among the Angels." They the Companions said, "Even you, O Messenger of Allah," He replied "Even me, except that Allah has helped me against the Jinn, so that I am unharmed, and so he orders me to do nothing but good."
Muslim
Thus terrible thoughts may sometimes occur to us, but we are not responsible for these prompting’s provided, we neither allow them to take root within us, nor act upon them. The fact that we recognise them as evil is itself a sign of faith. It is possible for Jinn to enter human beings and possess them as Allah says:
"Those who consume interest (riba) do not arise except as the one whom Satan has driven to madness by his touch."
(Qur’an 2:275)
Seek protection from the Jinn. In an Authentic hadith related by Bukhari and Muslim, The Prophet (saws) has instructed us to recite some supplications to protect ourselves from the harm of Satan. These include:
1. Before having sexual intercourse, we should say:
"Bismillah, Allahumma jannibnash-shaytina wa jannibish-shaytina ma razaqtana."
In the name of Allah. O Allah! Spare us from Satan and repel Satan from what you provide us with.
Then, if a child is conceived, Satan will never harm
him.
2. The shaytan like to frequent filthy areas such as toilets. Thus we should ensure that we recite the sunnah supplication (narrated by Al Bukhari and Muslim) before
entering the toilet:
"Allahumma inni a’uthu bika minal-khubthi wal-khaba’ith."
O Allah! I seek refuge with you from male and female devils.
3. Reciting Ayat al Kursi (the verse of the throne in Surat Al Baqarah, 2:255) at bedtime ensures that no devil comes close to you until the morning.
Related by Bukhari
4. Saying:
"La ilaha illallahu wah-dahu la sharika lahu; lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa-hawa’ala kulli shay’in qadir."
There is no God but Allah, alone, without any partner, His kingdom, and His
is the praise, and He has power over all things.
100 times in the morning provides protection till the
evening.
Bukhari & Muslim
In General, frequent remembrance of Allah and obedience to Him provide immunity from the Shaytan.
Allah Says:
"Whoever withdraws himself from the remembrance of (Allah) most gracious, We assign to him a Shaytan to be his comrade."
(Qur’an 43:36)
In another verse Allah says:
"Satan has no authority over those who believe and place trust in their Lord."
(Qur’an 16:99)
Amongst the things that will keep the believer far away from falling into the snares of Shaytan is to refrain from excess in glances, words, food and socialising with people. By these four doors Shaytan gains power over the son of Adam and obtains what he wants from him.
As for looking, the Messenger of Allah (saws) said:
"Do not follow a glance with a glance. You are allowed the first but not the second."
Narrated in the Musnad (Hadith Book) of Ahmad B. Hanbal (Sahih)
As for excess words, the Prophet (saws) said:
"Part of the excellence of a Man’s Islam is that he leaves what does not concern him."
Ahmad
As for excess food, the Prophet (saws) said:
"A man does not fill a worse vessel than his belly."
Ahmad
Luqman the sage used to say to his son, "My son, when the intestines are full, reflection goes to sleep, wisdom falls silent, and the limbs cease to worship."
As for excessive socializing, it is a chronic disease, which attracts evil. How frequently are socializing and company empty of blessings! How often do the sow enmity! How often they plant rancor in the heart and as long as it remains in the heart it erodes firm mountains of good action! Excessive socializing contains loss for this world and the next world. The slave must only indulge in that amount of socializing which in necessary.
One of the greatest fortresses, which protect the believer against Shaytan, is Knowledge.
The Messenger of Allah (saws) said:
"One Faqih (Someone learned in Religious matters) is stronger against Shaytan than a thousand worshippers."
Tirmidhi
The importance of knowledge for the believer in opposing Shaytan is well illustrated by the following story related by Ibn Abbass:
The Shaytan says to Iblis, "Master we delight in the death of a man of knowledge more than we rejoice in that of a man of worship. We are harmed by the man with knowledge, but not harmed by the man of worship."
Iblis says, "Come on, lets go." So off they go to a man of worship and they come to him while he is worshipping and tell him they want to ask him a question. Iblis says, "Can your lord put this world inside an egg?"
"The worshipper replies, "I don’t know." Iblis says to the Shaytans, "Don’t you see there is disbelief in his answer?"
They then go to a man of knowledge in his circle joking with his companions and say, "We want to ask you a question."
He says, "Ask" so Iblis says to him, "Can your Lord put this world inside an egg?"
He replies, "Yes."
Iblis asks, "How?"
The man of knowledge says,
"His command when He desires a thing that He says to it ‘Be’ and it is." (Qur’an 36:82)
Iblis says to the Shaytans "Don’t you see that, the man (the worshipper) does not have any effect beyond himself, while this man (the man of knowledge) estranges much of the world from me?"
It is well known that Shaytan is with those who oppose the community. For that reason, the Muslim must keep to the Muslim community because that will keep him far from the errors and snares of Shaytan.
The Messenger of Allah (saws) said:
"Whoever of you desires the heart of the Garden should cling to the community. Shaytan is with the solitary person and further off from the couple."
Timidhi and Ahmad
The Messenger of Allah (saws) also said:
"The hand of Allah is over the community. Shaytan is with the one who opposes the community."
Ibn Sa’id
