The word jinn comes from an Arabic root meaning hidden from sight. The Quraan and Sunnah indicate that the jinn exist and that there is a purpose for their existence in this life, which is to worship Allaah Alone, with no partner or associate. Learn more about jinn here.
Allaah has created different types of jinn. Among them are some who can take on different forms, such as dogs and snakes; some who are like flying winds with wings; and some who can travel and rest. Abu Thalabah al-Khushani said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
The jinn is of three types: types that have wings, and they fly through the air; a type that looks like snakes and dogs; and a type that stops for a rest then resumes its journey.
It is possible for jinn to possess humans. Allah says in His Book (interpretation of the meaning):
“Those who eat riba [usury] will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by shaytan leading him to insanity.” [2:275]
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
… and in al-Saheeh it is narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that
“The Shaytan flows through the son of Adam like blood.”
End quote. Majmoo’ al-Fatawa.
The following are among the signs of a person who is possessed by jinn (or Satan):
- Strong repulsion when hearing Qur’aan or Aathaan (call for prayers).
- Episodes of losing consciousness and/or epileptic attacks, especially when Qur’aan is recited for the possessed person.
- Frequent nightmares during sleep.
- A tendency to avoid people accompanied by out-of-the-norm behavior.
- The jinn who possesses him might speak when Qur’aan is recited for the possessed person. Madness, as stated in the Qur’aan (interpretation of the meaning): “Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom Satan by his touch hath driven to [epileptic] madness…”2:275
- Dislike of one’s spouse, as indicated in the Qur’aan by the following verse (interpretation of the meaning): “And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between a man and his wife…” (Al-Baqarah, 2:102).
- The different attitudes in the house from that which is outside the house. For example, a person will feel that he is missing his family when is outside the house but when he goes home, love changes quickly to extreme hatred.
- Inability to have sexual intercourse with one’s spouse.
- Frequent miscarriage for pregnant women.
- Sudden change in behavior without obvious reason.
- Complete loss of appetite for food.
- Thinking or imagining one has done something when in reality one has not.
- Sudden obedience and/or love for a particular person.
It should be noted that if a person experiences some of the above symptoms this does not necessarily mean that he is either possessed by a jinn or struck by black magic. It might be due to physiological or psychological reasons.
As for the symptoms of being affected by the evil eye, Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez al-Sadhan (may Allah preserve him) said:
If it is not a real sickness, then the symptoms may take the following forms:
- Headaches that move from one part of the head to another
- yellow pallor in the face
- sweating and urinating a great deal
- weak appetite
- tingling, heat or cold in the limbs
- palpitations in the heart
- pain in the lower back and shoulders
- sadness and anxiety
- sleeplessness at night
- strong reactions due to abnormal fears
- a lot of burping, yawning and sighing
- withdrawal and love of solitude
- apathy and laziness
- a tendency to sleep
- health problems with no known medical cause
These signs or some of them may be present according to the strength of the evil eye or the number of people who put the evil eye on others.
End quote. Al-Ruqyah al-Shar’iyyah.
As for curing this condition, the following steps are recommended:
- Putting one’s trust in Allah with sincere belief that He is the only cure for everything. Reading Qur’aan and known supplications expressing seeking refuge, the most important and effective of which is sura 113 and 114, Al-Falaq and Al-Naas, which were used to cure the Prophet himself. Surah 112, Al-Ikhlaas, is recommended along with them, as well as the opening chapter of the Qur’aan, Al-Fatihah. To cure black magic some have successfully used seven lotus-tree leaves. The leaves should be crushed, then mixed them with water enough for taking a bath. The following verses from the Qur’aan are then recited: verse Al-Kursi (2:255), surah Al-Kafiroon (109), surah 112, 113, 114; the verses which mention magic, which are: in surah Al-Baqarah (2:102), Al-A’raaf (7:117-119), Yunus (10:79-82), and Taha (20:65-69). The possessed person drinks some of the water, and the rest is used to give him a bath.
- Removing the elements of magic as was done by the Prophet when he was struck by black magic by a Jewish man called Lubaid Ben Al-‘Aasim.
- Eating seven Aa’liya Al-Barniy dates (among the dates of Al-Madinah) first thing in the morning; if not possible, any dates will suffice, by the will of Allaah.
- Cupping–removing excess blood.
- Supplications.