Difference between Jin (fact) and Ghost (myth)

[Ruhi_Rose]

BismAllah .....

The creation of Jinn as a separate species has been mentioned in the Qur'an in many verses.  To cite some of the verses of the Qur'an that contain information or statements about the Jinn are:

~~ 6:100
~~ 6:130
~~ 46:29-32
~~ 55:14-15
~~ 72:1-15

Like humans, Jinns are also a creation of Allah Almighty.  The difference is that humans are made of clay while Jinns are made of smokeless fire. 

As per the experiences of various humans we presume that Jinn can see humans but normally Jinn are not visible to the human eye.  Therefore, from this view point, Jinn belong to the unseen and any earthly incident involving the presence of Jinnswould be regarded as a paranormal citing or happening. 

Ghost, on the other hand, is a term given to the spirit of a human being who has passed away and is seen as an apparition by a living human being in this world.  The Quran does not confirm that human spirits visit the earth.  Therefore, as Muslims, we believe in Jinn but not ghosts.  "Ghost" stories are actually appearances of Jinn.  Since non-Muslims don't know about Jinn, if they go through a paranormal experience, they instantly consider it to be the spirit of a dead person.  For this reason, a story of a dead person is almost always constructed in order to explain a paranormal citing.  Such stories might be read or heard with interest by many people, but they are thoroughly fallacious.   

To learn about the concept of the soul as stated in the Noble Quran, check the post in this board titled:

Kindly elucidate the concept of soul as per the Quran

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Wow! what a fascinating and accurate clarification.  Thanks sister.

Btw, I've also heard that in Pakistan people refer to 'ghosts' as 'bhoots' in Urdu    Is that correct?

[Ruhi_Rose]

heeheheee!   

Well, the correct spelling according to its pronounciation would be "bhooth"

Jinn bhooth kay qisay = 'stories of Jinns and ghosts' (english translation), though those dummies don't realize that jinn and ghosts are two very different things.  While jinn is the truth, ghosts are myths. 

Thanks for your appreciation, sis.  Welcomed 

[Heba E. Husseyn]

bravo! great translation    - thanks sis!

[N. Truth Seeker]

With regard to sister Ruhi's query in her original post referring to whether or not Jinn die like humans, I came across the following info in a goecities site about Jinn. 

Quote:
"Say (O' Muhammad): It has been revealed to me that a group of Jinn listened and said; 'Indeed we have heard a marvellous Qur'an. It guides unto righteousness so we have believed in it, and we will never make partners with our lord'"  [Surah Al-Jinn, 72:1-2]

In many aspects of their world, the Jinn are very similar to us. They eat and drink, they marry, have children and they die. The life span however, is far greater then ours.*  Like us, they will also be subject to a Final Reckoning by Allah the Most High. They will be present with mankind on the Day of Judgement and will either go to Paradise or Hell.
Unquote:

*This bit about life-span isn't confirmed in the Quran.

Not everything mentioned about Jinn in this site tallies with the information in the Quran.  From that point of view, I won't rely much on this site.  But there are certain sections of the article that are correct and based on Quranic quotes.   Since Jinn are also a creation like humans, they too have needs, desires and mortality like humans - but like you said, only Allah knows the precise details.  

Now this is interesting and I agree with it fully.  Let me quote the last paragraph from this article of geocites.  It refers to the possibility that a Jinn can be anywhere around.  It's impossible to know.   Strong faith in Allah and reciting verses directly from the Quran (when you have that distinct feeling of the presence of something invisible) works wonders in solving this problem.

"Maybe there is a Jinn sitting in the corner of your room right now, or even one behind you. If so, then how will you deal with this creation of Allah?  Learn Islam properly and you will be able to deal with all of Allah's creation - and not just the Jinn.  By becoming true Muslims and followers of Islam, the fear of Iblis, Jinn and anything else will leave us - nothing will touch the Believer unless Allah wills."

And Iblis (Satan) is also of the jinn.

"And (remember) when We said unto the angels: Fall prostrate before Adam, and they fell prostrate, all save Iblis. He was of the jinn, so he rebelled against his Rab's command."  18:50  Al-Kahf.


Source:  It was a geocities site and unfortunately it's not there any longer.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Very good post from you too br. NTS. 

Some people also talk of the possibility of alien objects, UFOs etc. being Jinn or works of Jinn, directly or indirectly.  What would you say on that? 

[Ruhi_Rose]

Some people also talk of the possibility of alien objects, UFOs etc. being Jinn or works of Jinn, directly or indirectly.  What would you say on that? 

We have malaaikah (angels), jinn, humans, animals, birds, fish etc.  I don't know of any information in the Quran that says about living beings outside planet earth.  Unless, jinn also inhabit certain parts of the universe outside earth .. which is possible but only Allah knows best.  However, I think, from the information of the Quran, we can't be certain whether or not aliens in remote corners of the universe exist.  Though some Muslims do believe in existence of "aliens" and they also don't reject the stories of binary codes sent by aliens.  But this is mostly the influence of what they read in journals etc. For this reason they try to connect jinn with aliens to make the existence of aliens more acceptable.  But at the end of the day we simply don't have sufficient evidence nor knowledge to make a link between jinn and aliens nor to believe in existence of aliens.  Only Allah would know best.


Picture below is of a UFO (supposedly) which I found on the web.  Again, only Allah knows whether or not this pic is authentic.   Even if it's authentic, there's no guarantee this is a UFO.  It could simply be a satellite.  Lots of satellites that look much the same are placed into the orbit around the earth by countries like USA, Russia, Canada and some West European countries that carry equipments to gather environmental/scientific data or for communications purposes.

[Zainab_M]

Thank you Sister Ruhi.  This thing about "aliens" was something I needed to read a bit.  Surely only Allah knows best. 

[Zainab_M]

And br. NTS, that info you posted was informative.  Thanks.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Sister Ruhi, this maybe an answer to your question.  You mentioned in your original post that u weren't sure if Jinn die like humans.  I came across the following Verse in Surah Al-Araf in which Allah Almighty mentions how the guilty will be punished on the Day of Judgment.

"He says: Enter into the Fire among nations of the jinn and humankind who passed away before you."  7:38

The words in the above Verse " .. jinn and humankind who passed away before you."  I think this quite clearly refers that jinn do die like humans.  However, the lifespan of jinn is only known to Allah.  Whether or not jinn live as long as human or longer or less, only Allah knows.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Alhumdulilah.  Yes, .... "passed away"  refers to death.  What we aren't sure of is their lifespan.  A human being who has lived a long and full life would be presumed as between 80 or 90 years of age .... sometimes 90 plus or even rarer, 100 or a bit more which is very rare.  But we have no idea about Jinn.  Only Allah knows best.  Regarding that quote brother TS posted from geocites, only one piece of info tallies with the Quran, that is, jinn will be subject to questioning on the Day of Judgment along with mankind.  Other information that they eat and drink like humans and their lifespan is much longer is something unknown to us and only known to Allah.   However, the fact that we have got this confirmation from the Quran that jinn also 'pass away' tallies with the concept of the death of jinn.  Thus, if anyone sees a jinn, they aren't seeing a "spirit" or "soul," rather they are seeing a living being, but a living being created slightly differently from humans.