The Thousand and One Nights, Vol. I.: Commonly Called the Arabian Nights' Entertainments
General
The Thousand and One Nights, Vol. I.: Commonly Called the Arabian Nights' Entertainments
Fairy tales; Tales -- Arab countries
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;"[69] 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 also 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.[70]
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, &c.[71]--The Jinn are of
three kinds; one on the land; one in the sea; and one in the air.[72]
The Jinn consist of forty troops; each troop consisting of six hundred
thousand.[73]--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.[74]--Domestic snakes are asserted to be Jinn on the same
authority.[75]
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