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
It has been stated, that, by means of talismans, or certain invocations,
men are said to obtain the services of Jinn; and the manner in which the
latter are enabled to assist magicians, by imparting to them the
knowledge of future events, has been explained. No man ever obtained
such absolute power over the Jinn as Suleymán, Ibn-Dáood (Solomon, the
Son of David). This he did by virtue of a most wonderful talisman, which
is said to have come down to him from heaven. It was a seal-ring, upon
which was engraved "the most great name" of God; and was partly composed
of brass, and partly of iron. With the brass he stamped his written
commands to the good Jinn; with the iron (for a reason before
mentioned), those to the evil Jinn, or Devils. Over both orders he had
unlimited power; as well as over the birds and the winds,[85] and, as is
generally said, the wild beasts. His Wezeer, Aṣaf the son of Barkhiyà,
is also said to have been acquainted with "the most great name," by
uttering which, the greatest miracles may be performed; even that of
raising the dead. By virtue of this name, engraved on his ring, Suleymán
compelled the Jinn to assist in building the Temple of Jerusalem, and in
various other works. Many of the evil Jinn he converted to the true
faith; and many others of this class, who remained obstinate in
infidelity, he confined in prisons. He is said to have been monarch of
the whole earth. Hence, perhaps, the name of Suleymán is given to the
universal monarchs of the preadamite Jinn; unless the story of his own
universal dominion originated from confounding him with those kings of
the Jinn.
The injuries related to have been inflicted upon human beings by evil
Jinn are of various kinds. Jinnees are said to have often carried off
beautiful women, whom they have forcibly kept as their wives or
concubines. I have mentioned in a former work, that malicious or
disturbed Jinnees are asserted often to station themselves on the roofs,
or at the windows, of houses, and to throw down bricks and stones on
persons passing by.[86] When they take possession of an uninhabited
house, they seldom fail to persecute terribly any person who goes to
reside in it. They are also very apt to pilfer provisions, &c. Many
learned and devout persons, to secure their property from such
depredations, repeat the words "In the name of God, the Compassionate,
the Merciful!" on locking the doors of their houses, rooms, or closets,
and on covering the bread-basket, or anything containing food.[87]
During the month of Ramaḍán, the evil Jinn are believed to be confined
in prison; and therefore, on the last night of that month, with the same
view, women sometimes repeat the words above mentioned, and sprinkle
salt upon the floors of the apartments of their houses.[88]
To complete this sketch of Arabian mythology, an account must be added
of several creatures generally believed to be of inferior orders of the
Jinn.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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