djinns

Djinns are supernatural beings mentioned in Islamic theology and pre-Islamic Arabian folklore. They are a distinct intelligent creature created by God from smokeless fire, existing alongside humans and angels. The term jinn is Arabic, and the English word genie derives from the same root via French génie.

In Islamic cosmology, jinn possess free will and accountability before God, just like humans. They can be good, neutral, or malevolent and are considered part of the unseen world. Jinn may live in deserts, ruins, caves, and other remote places, and they can take different forms, including appearances as humans, animals, or imagined shapes.

Folklore often classifies jinn into several kinds, with the Ifrit and the Marid being among the most prominent, along with the Ghoul in some traditions. Jinn are believed to have societies, languages, and cultures, and to interact with humans in various ways. They may grant favors or cause trouble, and stories about possession, enchantment, or mischief appear across different regional traditions. Some accounts emphasize pacts or bargains between humans and jinn, usually with moral or cautionary outcomes.

Belief in jinn varies by culture and interpretation of religious texts. Some jinn are described as believers who worship God, while others are described as nonbelievers or malevolent beings. Modern depictions in literature and film have popularized the idea of jinn as powerful, wish-granting spirits, though traditional sources emphasize a wider range of behaviors and the possibility of both benevolent and dangerous encounters.