Arabian Society in the Middle Ages: Studies From The Thousand and One NightsLane, Edward William
Islamic
Arabian Society in the Middle Ages: Studies From The Thousand and One Nights
Lane, Edward William
Arabian nights; Egypt -- Social life and customs; Islamic Empire -- Social life and customs; Social history -- Medieval, 500-1500
is therefore argued, "If he were created originally of fire, how was he
created of light? for the Angels were [all] created of light."[33] The
former verse may be explained by the tradition that Iblees, having been
taken captive, was exalted among the Angels; or perhaps there is an
ellipsis after the word "Angels;" for it might be inferred that the
command given to the Angels was also (and _à fortiori_) to be obeyed by
the Jinn.
According to a tradition, Iblees and all the Sheyṭáns are
distinguished from the other Jinn by a longer existence. "The
Sheyṭáns," it is added, "are the children of Iblees, and die not but
with him, whereas the [other] Jinn die before him;"[34] though they may
live many centuries. But this is not altogether accordant with the
popular belief: Iblees and many other evil Jinn are to survive mankind,
but they are to die before the general resurrection, as also even the
Angels, the last of whom will be the Angel of Death, ´Azraeel. Yet not
_all_ the evil Jinn are to live thus long: many of them are killed by
shooting stars, hurled at them from heaven; wherefore, the Arabs, when
they see a shooting star (shiháb), often exclaim, "May God transfix the
enemy of the faith!" Many also are killed by other Jinn, and some even
by men. The fire of which the Jinnee is created circulates in his veins,
in place of blood: therefore, when he receives a mortal wound, this
fire, issuing from his veins, generally consumes him to ashes.
The Jinn, it has been already shown, are peccable. They eat and drink,
and propagate their species, sometimes in conjunction with human beings;
in which latter case, the offspring partakes of the nature of both
parents. In all these respects they differ from the Angels. Among the
evil Jinn are distinguished the five sons of their chief, Iblees;
namely, Teer, who brings about calamities, losses and injuries;
El-Aạwar, who encourages debauchery; Sóṭ, who suggests lies;
Dásim, who causes hatred between man and wife; and Zelemboor, who
presides over places of traffic.[35]
The most common forms and habitations or places of resort of the Jinn
must now be described.
The following traditions from the Prophet are the most to the purpose
that I have seen.--The Jinn are of various shapes; having the forms of
serpents, scorpions, lions, wolves, jackals, etc.[36] The Jinn are of
three kinds: one on the land, one in the sea, and one in the air.[37]
The Jinn consist of forty troops; each troop consisting of six hundred
thousand.[38]--The Jinn are of three kinds: one have wings and fly;
another are snakes and dogs; and the third move about from place to
place like men.[39] Domestic snakes are asserted to be Jinn on the same
authority.[39a]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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