Quran Garden

Welcome back to our transformative journey through the 16 major sins in Islam.  There are many sins and vices that may lead to spiritual downfall in Islam.  But none are more frightening and alluring than magic.  Today, we begin our discussion about Jinn and sorcery.  Sit back and listen.            

Session 591

Chapter 4

Verse 31

a continuation

If you avoid the major sins you have been forbidden, We shall absolve you of your minor misdeeds and let you in through the entrance of honor. (Chapter 4: Verse 31)

Why are sorcery and magic grave sins?  Because they strike fear in society by invoking unseen forces.  Victims face indirect, invisible and intangible threats; how can they defend themselves?!  God says,

They learned what harmed them, not what benefited them, knowing full well that whoever gained this knowledge would lose any share in the Hereafter. Evil indeed is the price for which they sold themselves, if only they knew.  (2:102)

Someone might ask, if sorcery is so harmful, why does it exist at all? We answer that everything is created by God, each with its own laws.  Sometimes, one creation's laws are faster or more subtle than another's.  Within a species, members are generally governed by a single set of rules, ensuring equal opportunity.  When everyone has equal chances, the better and hardworking prevail without unfairly exploiting others.  Equal opportunity preserves societies because we all feel that we have a chance.  When the Soviet Union global power fell, and the U.S. remained strong, the world grew out of balance.  New powers like China, Japan, a unified Germany, and a striving Europe must emerge to tip the balance back.  Otherwise, without proper equilibrium, a great force like the US can cause widespread harm with no fear of retaliation from an equally strong opponent.  

Humans and jinn are two distinct beings. Both have freewill and accountability, as illustrated in the following Aya

Say, "It has been revealed to me that a group of jinn once listened in and said, “We have heard a wondrous Quran, that gives guidance to the right path, and we have come to believe it; We shall never set up partners with our Lord" (72: 1-2)

Like us, the Jinn fall into ideological groups.  They say,

Some of us are righteous and others less so: we follow different paths.  (72:11)

However, they operate under a different set of laws.  Fro example, the jinn can see humans, but we cannot see them.  God says,

Children of Adam, do not let Satan seduce you, as he did your parents, causing them to leave the Garden, stripping them of their garments to expose their nakedness to them: he and his forces can see you from where you cannot see them: We have made evil ones allies to those who do not believe. (7:27)

You can learn alot about a creation from their origin; Jinn are created from fire, while humans from clay.  Clay is denser and more tangible than fire.  Thus, the Jinn have properties derived from fire, such as transparency and agility.  For example, if you sit in your livingroom, while your family has a bonfire in the yard, you can feel the heat from the fire through wall because heat transcends barriers.  An apple on the other hand –which is created from earth, cannot go through walls.  You cannot see or taste it through a wall.  Thus, Jinn do things and travel in ways humans cannot.

The story of Prophet Solomon, peace be upon him, illustrates this concept. God gave him command over the Jinn to build elaborate structures and craft objects among other things.  God says,

They made him whatever he wanted- palaces, statues, basins as large as water troughs, fixed cauldrons. We said, "Work thankfully, family of David, for few of my servants are truly thankful." (34:13)

When reviewing his assemblies, Solomon noted the missing hoopoe bird and remarked,

He inspected the birds and said, ‘How is it that I do not see the hoopoe? Or is it absent without leave? (27:20)

The hoopoe returned with noteworthy news, saying it had witnessed something Solomon had not,

But the hoopoe did not stay away long: he came and said, ‘I have learned something you did not know: I come to you from Sheba with firm news.  I found a woman ruling over the people, who has been given a share of everything- she has a magnificent throne- 

(27:22-23)

The striking aspect, however, was the bird's distress that a woman and her people were worshipping the sun instead of Allah, highlighting the hoopoe’s awareness of His Creator,

I found both her and her people prostrating to the sun instead of Allah. Satan has made their actions seem good to them and diverted them from the Way so they are not guided   (27:24)

This, also, highlights Solomon's concerns as both a Prophet and king.  While the elements of kingship were present in the kingdom of Sheba, Solomon was moved by their lack of faith, as the bird continued,

Should they not worship God, who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and earth and knows both what you people conceal and what you declare?   (27:25)

The hoopoe knew who is worthy of worship and understood God's power to reveal what is concealed, including its own sustenance from beneath the ground.

Now we get to the part of the story relevant to our discussion as Solomon sits asking those around him, "Which of you will bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?" (Chapter 27:Verse 38), showcasing his power and leadership as both a king and a messenger of God, enforcing monotheism among his subjects and beyond.  Our beloved Solomon was aware that the Queen of Sheba, Bilqees, was on her way to visit him.  His demand, “Which of you will bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?” is a challenge beyond ordinary human capability—someone had to travel from Jerusalem to Yemen, dismantle the throne, transport it, and present it to Solomon before Bilqis arrived with her deligation.

No ordinary human could accomplish this, which is why none volunteered when Solomon demanded a swift solution requireing extraordinary means.  One of the notable Jinn, referred to as an "Ifrit," boldly declared,

An ifreet of the jinn said, "I will bring it to you before you get up from your seat. I am strong and trustworthy to handle it."  (27:39)

An Ifirt is not an average Jinn.  Jinn, like humans, have varying levels of intellect and capability. The Ifrit was confident he could complete the task during the time of Solomon’s metting, which could be a few hours.

Here, another individual, a human with knowledge from the scripture, stated,

but one of them who had some knowledge of the Scripture said, "I will bring it to you in the twinkling of an eye." When Solomon saw it set before him, he said, "This is a favour from my Lord, to test whether I am grateful or not: if anyone is grateful, it is for his own good, if anyone is ungrateful, then my Lord is self-sufficient and most generous."

(27:40)

implying an astonishgnly fast execution of the task.  In the blink of an eye, literally! And suddenly, Solomon saw the throne settled before him.

The critical understanding here is that each being—whether human or jinn—operates under different laws suited to them.  The Jinn claimed, "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place," highlighting their inherent speed and agility.  Meanwhile, the human needs months to complete the task.  However, when an individual is granted divine insight from the book of Allah, he or she will have ability above all creation.

Join us next week as we learn more about the Jinn and magic, uncovering wisdom that will fortify your heart and protect those you love.  Your passion for Islamic knowledge is shining brightly.  Take a moment to share it with your loved ones.