Al-Jinn (الجن)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ قُلْ أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ أَنَّهُ اسْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَقَالُوا إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْآنًا عَجَبًا
Qul oohiya ilaiya annna hustama'a nafarum minal jinnni faqaalooo innaa sami'naa quraanan 'ajabaa
SAY: "It has been revealed to me that some of the unseen beings gave ear [to this divine writ], and thereupon said [unto their fellow-beings]: "'Verily, we have heard a wondrous discourse,
يَهْدِي إِلَى الرُّشْدِ فَآمَنَّا بِهِ ۖ وَلَنْ نُشْرِكَ بِرَبِّنَا أَحَدًا
Yahdeee ilar rushdi fa aamannaa bihee wa lan nushrika bi rabbinaaa ahadaa
guiding towards consciousness of what is right; and so We have come to believe in it. And we shall never ascribe divinity to anyone beside our Sustainer,
وَأَنَّهُ تَعَالَىٰ جَدُّ رَبِّنَا مَا اتَّخَذَ صَاحِبَةً وَلَا وَلَدًا
Wa annahoo Ta'aalaa jaddu Rabbinaa mat takhaza saahibatanw wa la waladaa
for [we know] that sublimely exalted is our Sustainer's majesty: no consort has He ever taken unto Himself, nor a son!
وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ سَفِيهُنَا عَلَى اللَّهِ شَطَطًا
Wa annahoo kaana yaqoolu safeehunaa 'alal laahi shatataa
"'And [now we know] that the foolish among us were wont to say outrageous things about God,
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّا أَنْ لَنْ تَقُولَ الْإِنْسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا
Wa annaa zanannaaa al lan taqoolal insu wal jinnu 'alal laahi kazibaa
and that [we were mistaken when] we thought that neither man nor [any of] the invisible forces would ever tell a lie about God.
وَأَنَّهُ كَانَ رِجَالٌ مِنَ الْإِنْسِ يَعُوذُونَ بِرِجَالٍ مِنَ الْجِنِّ فَزَادُوهُمْ رَهَقًا
Wa annahoo kaana rijaa lum minal insi ya'oozoona birijaalim minal jinni fazaa doohum rahaqaa
Yet [it has always happened] that certain kinds of humans would seek refuge with certain kinds of [such] invisible forces: but these only increased their confusion –
وَأَنَّهُمْ ظَنُّوا كَمَا ظَنَنْتُمْ أَنْ لَنْ يَبْعَثَ اللَّهُ أَحَدًا
Wa annahum zannoo kamaa zanantum al lany yab'asal laahu ahadaa
so much so that they came to think, as you [once] thought, that God would never [again] send forth anyone [as His apostle].
وَأَنَّا لَمَسْنَا السَّمَاءَ فَوَجَدْنَاهَا مُلِئَتْ حَرَسًا شَدِيدًا وَشُهُبًا
Wa annaa lamasnas sa maaa'a fa wajadnaahaa muli'at harasan shadeedanw wa shuhubaa
"'And [so it happened] that we reached out towards heaven: but we found it filled with mighty guards and flames,
وَأَنَّا كُنَّا نَقْعُدُ مِنْهَا مَقَاعِدَ لِلسَّمْعِ ۖ فَمَنْ يَسْتَمِعِ الْآنَ يَجِدْ لَهُ شِهَابًا رَصَدًا
Wa annaa kunnaa naq'udu minhaa maqaa'ida lis'sam'i famany yastami'il aana yajid lahoo shihaabar rasada
notwithstanding that we were established in positions [which we had thought well-suited] to listening to [whatever secrets might be in] it: and anyone who now [or ever] tries to listen will [likewise] find a flame lying in wait for him!
وَأَنَّا لَا نَدْرِي أَشَرٌّ أُرِيدَ بِمَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ أَمْ أَرَادَ بِهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ رَشَدًا
Wa annaa laa nadreee asharrun ureeda biman fil ardi am araada bihim rabbuhum rashadaa
"'And [now we have become aware] that we [created beings] may not know whether evil fortune is intended for [any of] those who live on earth, or whether it is their Sustainer’s will to endow them with consciousness of what is right:
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الصَّالِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ كُنَّا طَرَائِقَ قِدَدًا
Wa annaa minnas saalihoona wa minnaa doona zaalika kunnaa taraaa'ilqa qidadaa
Just as [we do not know how it happens] that some from among us are righteous, while some of us are [far] below that: we have always followed widely divergent paths.
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّا أَنْ لَنْ نُعْجِزَ اللَّهَ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَنْ نُعْجِزَهُ هَرَبًا
Wa annaa zanannaaa al lan nu'jizal laaha fil ardi wa lan nu'jizahoo harabaa
"'And, withal, we have come to know that we can never elude God [while we live] on earth, and that we can never elude Him by escaping [from life].
وَأَنَّا لَمَّا سَمِعْنَا الْهُدَىٰ آمَنَّا بِهِ ۖ فَمَنْ يُؤْمِنْ بِرَبِّهِ فَلَا يَخَافُ بَخْسًا وَلَا رَهَقًا
Wa annaa lammaa sami'nal hudaaa aamannaa bihee famany yu'mim bi rabbihee falaa yakhaafu bakhsanw wa laa rahaqaa
Hence, as soon as we heard this [call to His] guidance, we came to believe in it: and he who believes in his Sustainer need never have fear of loss or injustice.
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا الْمُسْلِمُونَ وَمِنَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ ۖ فَمَنْ أَسْلَمَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ تَحَرَّوْا رَشَدًا
Wa annaa minnal muslimoona wa minnal qaasitoona faman aslama fa ulaaa'ika taharraw rashadaa
"'Yet [it is true] that among us are such as have surrendered themselves to God - just as there are among us such as have abandoned themselves to wrongdoing. Now as for those who surrender themselves to Him - it is they that have attained to consciousness of what is right;
وَأَمَّا الْقَاسِطُونَ فَكَانُوا لِجَهَنَّمَ حَطَبًا
Wa ammal qaasitoona fa kaanoo li jahannama hatabaa
but as for those who abandon themselves to wrongdoing - they are indeed but fuel for [the fires of] hell!’"
وَأَنْ لَوِ اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسْقَيْنَاهُمْ مَاءً غَدَقًا
Wa alla wis taqaamoo 'alat tareeqati la asqaynaahum maa'an ghadaqaa
[KNOW,] THEN, that if they [who have heard Our call] keep firmly to the [right] path, We shall certainly shower them with blessings abundant,
لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ ۚ وَمَنْ يُعْرِضْ عَنْ ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِ يَسْلُكْهُ عَذَابًا صَعَدًا
Linaftinahum feeh; wa many yu'rid 'an zikri rabbihee yasluk hu 'azaaban sa'adaa
so as to test them by this means: for he who shall turn away from the remembrance of his Sustainer, him will He cause to undergo suffering most grievous.
وَأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًا
Wa annal masaajida lillaahi falaa tad'oo ma'al laahi ahadaa
And [know] that all worship is due to God [alone]: hence, do not invoke anyone side by side with God!
وَأَنَّهُ لَمَّا قَامَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ يَدْعُوهُ كَادُوا يَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِ لِبَدًا
Wa annahoo lammaa qaama 'adul laahi yad'oohu kaadoo yakoonoona 'alaihi libadaa
Yet [thus it is] that whenever a servant of God stands up in prayer to Him, they [who are bent on denying the truth] would gladly overwhelm him with their crowds.
قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَدْعُو رَبِّي وَلَا أُشْرِكُ بِهِ أَحَدًا
Qul innamaaa ad'oo rabbee wa laaa ushriku biheee ahadaa
Say: "I invoke my Sustainer alone, for I do not ascribe divinity to anyone beside Him."
قُلْ إِنِّي لَا أَمْلِكُ لَكُمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا رَشَدًا
Qul innee laaa amliku lakum darranw wa laa rashadaa
Say: "Verily, it is not in my power to cause you harm or to endow you with consciousness of what is right."
قُلْ إِنِّي لَنْ يُجِيرَنِي مِنَ اللَّهِ أَحَدٌ وَلَنْ أَجِدَ مِنْ دُونِهِ مُلْتَحَدًا
Qul innee lany yujeeranee minal laahi ahad, wa lan ajida min doonihee multahadaa
Say: "Verily, no one could ever protect me from God, nor could I ever find a place to hide from Him
إِلَّا بَلَاغًا مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرِسَالَاتِهِ ۚ وَمَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَإِنَّ لَهُ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا
Illaa balaagham minal laahi wa risaalaatih; wa many ya'sil laaha wa rasoolahoo fa inna lahoo naara jahannama khaalideena feehaaa abadaa
if I should fail to convey [to the world whatever illumination comes to me] from God and His messages." Now as for him who rebels against God and His Apostle - verily, the fire of hell awaits him, therein to abide beyond the count of time.
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا رَأَوْا مَا يُوعَدُونَ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ أَضْعَفُ نَاصِرًا وَأَقَلُّ عَدَدًا
Hattaaa izaa ra aw maa yoo'adoona fasaya'lamoona man ad'afu naasiranw wa aqallu 'adadaa
[Let them, then, wait] until the time when they behold that [doom] of which they were forewarned: for then they will come to understand which [kind of man] is more helpless and counts for less!
قُلْ إِنْ أَدْرِي أَقَرِيبٌ مَا تُوعَدُونَ أَمْ يَجْعَلُ لَهُ رَبِّي أَمَدًا
Qul in adreee a qareebum maa too'adoona am yaj'alu lahoo rabbeee amadaa
Say: "I do not know whether that [doom] of which you were forewarned is near, or whether my Sustainer has set for it a distant term."
عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ فَلَا يُظْهِرُ عَلَىٰ غَيْبِهِ أَحَدًا
'Aalimul ghaibi falaa yuzhiru alaa ghaibiheee ahadaa
He [alone] knows that which is beyond the reach of a created being's perception, and to none does He disclose aught of the mysteries of His Own unfathomable knowledge,
إِلَّا مَنِ ارْتَضَىٰ مِنْ رَسُولٍ فَإِنَّهُ يَسْلُكُ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِ رَصَدًا
Illaa manir tadaa mir rasoolin fa innahoo yasluku mim baini yadihi wa min khalfihee rasadaa
unless it be to an apostle whom He has been pleased to elect [there for]: and then He sends forth [the forces of heaven] to watch over him in whatever lies open before him and in what is beyond his ken –
لِيَعْلَمَ أَنْ قَدْ أَبْلَغُوا رِسَالَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَأَحَاطَ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ وَأَحْصَىٰ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ عَدَدًا
Liya'lama an qad ablaghoo risaalaati rabbihim wa ahaata bima ladihim wa ahsaa kulla shai'in 'adadaa
so as to make manifest that it is indeed [but] their Sustainer's messages that these [apostles] deliver: for it is He who encompasses [with His knowledge] all that they have [to say], just as He takes count, one by one, of everything [that exists].
Meaning
The Jinn
Ayas
28
Revelation
Meccan
Surah No
72
Surah Al-Jinn primarily addresses the existence of the jinn, their nature, their role, and their interaction with humanity. Key themes include:
The Reality of Jinn: The Surah confirms the existence of jinn, beings created from smokeless fire, who, like humans, have free will and can either be good or evil.
Jinn’s Response to the Quran: It discusses the response of a group of jinn to the Quran, as they heard it from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and believed in its message, recognizing it as a divine revelation.
The Oneness of Allah: Emphasizes the worship of Allah alone, and the rejection of any form of polytheism, even by the jinn.
The role of the Prophet: The Surah reaffirms the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) role as a messenger not just to humans but also to the jinn.
Awareness of the Jinn: The Surah serves to inform Muslims about the existence of the jinn, their nature, and their capacity to either believe in or reject divine guidance.
Refuting misconceptions: It refutes some of the false beliefs about the jinn, such as worshiping them or fearing them in an exaggerated way.
Encouragement of righteousness: The Surah emphasizes that both humans and jinn are accountable to Allah for their deeds.
Protection from harm: Reading this Surah is believed to offer protection from the harmful effects of jinn and evil spirits.
Spiritual purification: Helps in purifying the heart and mind, reaffirming faith in the unseen and the power of Allah.
Strengthens belief in the unseen: Encourages reflection on the realities of the unseen world (including jinn) and strengthens trust in Allah’s control over all things.
The power of the Quran:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Jinn, Allah will protect him from the evil of the jinn and from the evil of all harmful beings.” (Tafsir al-Qurtubi)
Belief in the unseen:
“Belief in the unseen includes belief in the jinn.” (Sahih Muslim)
“If you find any mistakes in this, please let us know. For a more accurate translation, please refer to the English version. May Allah forgive us for any unintentional mistakes.”
