According to the Qur’an, God created two parallel species, man and the jinn, the former from clay and the latter from fire. Beliefs regarding the jinn are deeply integrated into Muslim culture and religion, and have a constant presence in legends, myths, poetry, and literature. In Islam, Arabs, and the Intelligent World of the Jinn, Amira El-Zein explores the integral role these mythological figures play, revealing that the concept of jinn is fundamental to understanding Muslim culture and tradition.

In common folklore, angels or malaikah are thought of as good forces of nature, hologram images, or illusions. Western iconography sometimes depicts angels as fat cherubic babies or handsome young men or women with a halo surrounding their head. In Islamic doctrine, they are real created beings who will eventually suffer death, but are generally hidden from our senses. They are not divine or semi-divine, and they are not God's associates running different districts of the universe. Also, they are not objects to be worshipped or prayed to, as they do not deliver our prayers to God. They all submit to God and carry out His commands. In the Islamic worldview, there are no fallen angels: they are not divided into 'good' and 'evil' angels. Human beings do not become angels after death. Satan is not a fallen angel, but is one of the jinn (demon), a creation of God parallel to human beings and angels. Angels were created from light before human beings were created, and thus their graphic or symbolic representation in Islamic art is rare. Nevertheless, they are generally beautiful beings with wings as described in Muslim scripture. The Arabic word Jinn is from the verb 'Janna' and means to hide or conceal. The Jinn or Demon are so called because they conceal themselves from people's sight. The words janeen (foetus) and mijann (shield) come from the same root. Jinn or demon, as the name suggests, are normally invisible to humans. The jinn are part of God's creation. They were created from fire before the creation of Adam and humankind. And indeed, We created man from dried (sounding) clay of altered mud. And the jinn (Demon), We created aforetime from the smokeless flame of fire (Quran 15:26-27) According to the traditions of Prophet Muhammad the angels were created from light, the jinn from fire and humankind from "what has been described to you." (meaning clay) God created the angels, jinn and humankind for no other purpose then to worship Him. "I did not create the Jinn and mankind except to worship Me." (Quran 51:56) Jinn exist in our world but they live on their own. Jinn have their own distinct nature and features and they generally remain hidden from humankind. Jinn and humans do have some common traits, the most important of which is free will and with it the ability to choose between good and evil, right and wrong. The jinn eat and drink, they marry, have children and die.

Analysis of the 13th century essay, arguing for the reality of demons and demonic possession.

Christine and Elizabeth Shepherd are on a buying trip in India for their California silk business when Elizabeth mysteriously disappears. In search of her sister, Christine ventures alone into Afghanistan and Pakistan disguised in the traditional garb of Islam, and often living among the women of the region, enduring the crushing oppression of Sharia. Christine painfully gains a new understanding of her own country and family as she navigates the mysterious tribes of the Pashtuns, has a dangerous encounter with the Taliban, and learns to fear the "Jinn," the devils that dominate the superstitions of the people she must understand in order to survive. "An impressive first by a Hollywood insider explores the deeply hostile reception two American sisters receive when they penetrate the tightly patriarchal society of Muslim culture....Winning and intensely moving."--Kirkus "The nonstop action and gripping plot twists should keep readers entranced."--Publishers Weekly "Cheryl Howard Crew writes with penetrating insight while she straps you in and takes you on a thrill ride of twists, turns, and sudden fear that doesn't let go until the last page."--Jean M. Auel "In the Face of Jinn brings its audience into uncharges regions of a woman's heart while exploring the unfamiliar fascinating, and sometimes horrifying worlds of Afghanistan, India, and Pakison...a taut thriller."--Walter Mosley

A magnificent and indispensable portrayal of the rich folklore of the Islamic world. According to Islamic tradition, Allah created three types of beings: angels, made of light; humans, made of earth; and jinn, made of smokeless fire. Supernatural, shape-shifting, intelligent and blessed with free will and remarkable powers, jinn have over the ages been given many names - demon, spirit, ghoul, genie, ifrit and shaitan. Believed in by hundreds of millions of people throughout the world and from all faiths, jinn have played a particularly central role in the literature, culture and belief systems of the Middle East and the Islamic world. Legends of the Fire Spirits explores through time and across nations the enduring phenomenon of the jinn. From North Africa to Central Asia, from the Mediterranean to sub-Saharan Africa and beyond, this riveting, often chilling, yet reasoned book draws on ancient testimonies, medieval histories, colonial records, anthropologist's reports and traveller's tales to explore the different types of jinn, their behaviour, society, culture and long history of contact with humankind. It documents their links with famous figures in history such as King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba and illustrates the varied and vivid portrayals of jinn in world literature. In essence, Legends of the Fire Spirits demonstrates the colourful diversity of human culture and the durability of faith and is a magnificent and indispensable portrayal of the rich folklore of the Islamic world.

The World of the Noble Angels ISLAMIC CREED SERIES Vol-2 by Umar S. al-Ashqar About the Book: From the moment an individual is conceived in his mother's womb, until his death and beyond, angels play a part in human life. Angels bring forth the soul of the dying and they bring comfort or inflict torment in the grave. An angel will sound the Trumpet on the Last Day, and angels will be present on the Day of Judgment until they accompany people to their ultimate destination in Paradise or Hell. Almost all human cultures, ancient and modern, have some kind of belief about angels. The pre-Islamic Arabs believed them to be daughters of the Almighty. Some philosophers thought that angels were the stars in the sky. In modern times, there has been a resurgence of interest in angels, and they feature prominently in movies and other forms of popular western culture. But these myths have no role to play in the belief of the Muslim. Our beliefs are based on the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah, which tell us all we need to know about the reality of the unseen, including the world of the angels. In this book, Dr. Umar S. al-Ashqar draws on the sources of Islam to give us a comprehensive picture of who the angels are, their role in the universe and their interaction with mankind in this world and the next. ISLAMIC CREED SERIES VOL.l. Belief in Allah VOL.2. The World of the Noble Angels VOL.3. The World of the Jinn and Devils VOL.4. The Messengers and the Messages Vol.5. The Minor Resurrection Vol.6. The Day of Resurrection Vol.7. Paradise and Hell VOL.8. Divine Will and Predestination.