Humanity is entrusted with the care, upkeep, and overall control over the earth. Yet as complex as this control is, it has its limits. One bad choice can upset the delicate balance that the world relies on to produce life.
The jinn, the Quran states, failed in that trust by separating and opposing each other. Humanity should study the mistakes the Jinn and men have made in the past so that they may comprehend what is required of them for the future of the world.
The Nature of The Jinn
The Jinn were a beautiful creation of God made from fire or a smokeless flame. In modern terminology it can be said that they were energy in its most volatile yet useful state.
And just like humans they have a tendency to prize their beauty, and perceived self worth over any other concern. This is why Iblis (a Jinn who had gained the right to live amongst the Angels) uttered "I am better than he" when God order him and the others to bow down in honor of man; and refused to bow. As such this Jinn was thrown out of the company of angels and forever became the adversary (Satan) of man.
The Good and Evil in Jinn
The Quran explains that not all Jinn are evil. That some walk the path to God. As such The Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was not just a prophet to man but to all sentient beings.
As such there exists an entire chapter devoted to the Jinn. What follows is a statement from the Muslims (submitters to God) among the Jinn relating what they have learned from hearing the Quranic recitation.
The Jinn Give Testimony
“…’we have really heard a wonderful Recital! It gives guidance to the Right, and we have believed therein: we shall not join (in worship) any (gods) with our Lord. And Exalted is the Majesty of our Lord: He has taken neither a wife nor a son. There were some foolish ones among us, who used to utter extravagant lies against Allah … True, there were persons among mankind who took shelter with persons among the Jinn, but they increased them in folly. And they (came to) think as ye thought, that Allah would not raise up any one (to judgment) ... There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary: we follow divergent paths. ...Amongst us are some that submit their wills (to Allah), and some that swerve from justice…‘” (Quran 72: 1-14)
The Knowledge of the Jinn
The Jinn were created before mankind and entrusted with knowledge. That knowledge gave the jinn the ability to improve much in their world. Many civilizations of ancient history attribute their growth and development to a mysterious benefactor. These benefactors usually descended out of the sky and were shiny or had an unusual glow about them. It is interesting to note that the Quran indicates that the Jinn had the power of flight and were made from a smokeless flame.
Thus, through their technology and unusual appearance they steered humanity in unique but variant directions. They have even shaped humanity’s religious beliefs into variant forms away from the worship of one god. However as the above verse implies some have returned to worshipping God.
A Lesson For Humanity
The Jinn subsequently failed in the trust given to them and lost dominance of the Earth. The mantle passed onto man who is now entrusted with knowledge and dominion over the Earth. However, God states in the Quran that if man fails in what is entrusted to him God will raise up another to take his/her place; just like he raised up Adam to take the Jinn’s place.
Humanity can learn from the failure of the Jinn by using the knowledge entrusted to him/her for the sake of the Earth and all her children. The story of the Jinn implies that humanity must come to terms with all false assumptions and prejudices; throw them into the lake of fire and adhere only to that which true. Thus will the mantle of knowledge remain with humanity for as long as God wills.
