Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD

Abstract

Surah Al-Jinn (Chapter 72 of the Qur’an) recounts how a group of “jinn” listened to the Qur’an and were moved to faith. While classical interpretations regard these jinn as invisible supernatural beings made of fire, this commentary explores a rational re-reading that favors the view of the jinn as a hidden delegation of monotheists (likely Christians) rather than literal demons. We examine how the Surah’s content and context support this interpretation – for example, the jinn’s proclamation that God has “neither spouse nor child” resonates with Christian theology and suggests the speakers were human believers rejecting the Trinity. Furthermore, we argue that even if jinn (in the sense of spirits or demons) exist, they do not interact with humans in any tangible way. Contemporary commentators – notably Zia H Shah MD – emphasize that popular beliefs in jinn or demonic possession stem from misinterpretations of scripture and lack any scientific evidence thequran.love thequran.love. In light of modern knowledge, Surah Al-Jinn can be understood as a message of hope that even unseen audiences beyond Arabia would embrace Islam, rather than a mysterious tale of otherworldly creatures meddling in human affairs.

Read further in Microsoft Word file: