Although we do not see genies and may not be able to prove their existence through scientific and philosophical arguments, we must believe in them because the Holy Quran, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and Infallible Imams (a.s) have confirmed their existence. In the Holy Quran, the word “Jaan” has been mentioned seven times, the word “Jen” twenty two times, the word “Jennah” five times and the words “Shaitan”, “Shayatin” and “Iblis” ten times.[1]
For more details about the meaning of “Jen”, refer to question 138 on our website and for information about the features and specifics of “Jen”, refer to questions 5939, 729 and 15915.
What is inferred concerning the above question from the verses, traditions and different books in this regard is that genies, like human beings, live on earth and in this planet and they have no realm or world other than that which is inhabited by human beings. Therefore, what is assumed of trees, plants and other things in the world of genies are the same big and small entities which exist on planet earth.”
The only point that has something to do with the foregoing question is a narration in which Imam Sadiq (a.s.) reports from the Holy Prophet (pbuh) that he said:
“God, the Exalted, created five groups of genies: The first group is like wind in the air. The second group is like snakes. The third group is like scorpions. The fourth group is like insects of the earth and the fifth group is like human beings.”[2]
Hence, genies have been created in the form of insects and other animals and it is not true to say that they live in a world other than the world of human beings with insects and other animals created with them.
It can be said, therefore, that the animals which have been assumed in the world of genies are the genies themselves not other animals. In fact, according to God’s saying, all the genies have been created from fire because God, the Almighty, has said categorically that He created genies from fire.[3] The statement is absolute and unrestricted in the same way as God’s saying about man’s creation where He says that He created man from clay.[4]
[1] - Qarashi, Sayyid Ali Akbar, Tafsir Ahsanul Hadith, vol.11, p. 378, Be’athat Foundation, Tehran, 3rd edition, 1377 (1998).
[2] - Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir, Behar al-Anwar, vol.60, p. 267, vol.87, p. 224; Husseini Shah Abdul Azimi, Hussein bin Ahmad, Tafsir Ithna Ashari, vol. 13, p. 340; Miqat Publications, Tehran, first edition, 1363 (1984).
[3] - Al-Hijr, 27: «وَ الجْانَّ خَلَقْنَاهُ مِن قَبْلُ مِن نَّارِ السَّمُوم» (And We created Jaan earlier from hot and burning fire.)
[4] - Al-Momenoon, 12: «وَ لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْانسَنَ مِن سُلَالَةٍ مِّن طِین» (And certainly We created man of an extract of clay.)