Jinns/Demons

The “Jinn” is a supernatural creature in the Arabian and Islamic culture that is associated with Islamic mythology and theology. They are basically genies, but are more associated with the concept of demons. Jinns are frequently and methodically mentioned in the Quran in a negative manner. The Quran tells us that the jinn was born and made from a smokeless “scorching fire”. They are tangible and are able to possess human beings. According to the Quran, there are three sapient creations of Allah, consisting of humans, jinns, and angels. There can be good and pure jinns, with good intentions. However, there are shaytan jinns that are descendants from demons and are referred to as “fire spirits”. The prophet of Islam, Muhammad was consigned to both humans and jinns. In the Quran, it also states that jinns will be judged on “Judgement Day” for Muslims and either be commissioned to heaven or hell based on their nature.

I am a Muslim, and my mother has told me stories about Jinns. My mother grew up in a small village called Sylhet in Bangladesh. She told me a story where when her family was crossing a bridge late at night to go to their aunt’s house, a jinn had possessed their mother (my grandmother). She described that her mother had a very low raspy voice, and was speaking in a scary manner. The jinn announced herself in my grandmother’s body, and said that my grandmother was not a good mother to her children. The jinn said she was taking care of the children, and my grandmother was not. My mother told me one day she had fallen into a lake and didn’t know how she got out. She was drowning one minute, and the next minute she was lying to the ground next to the lake. They had summoned a “hujur” or an islamic priest to come and chant prayers and perform an exorcism. Till this day, my grandmother still has strange scratches and bruises on her back. I’m not sure if I believe this, but my mother says she remembers everything so vividly.